IN-PERSON Manchester Livable Cities
Abstract
“Towards an urban renaissance” is best understood in the chronology of regeneration policies and programmes spanning the post-war decades. We argue in this context, it is distinctive in content, emphasis and its’ understanding of urban systems. The points of differentiation can be summarised as (1) the emphasis placed on design-led regeneration with the corresponding importance of the relationship between quality of architecture and design; (2) the challenge of urban form that goes beyond the oft repeated need for a simple quantity of housing completions on brownfield sits to address urban density, design diversity, variety in housing choices, mix of uses; and (3) the focus placed on the core cities in England as the regional powerhouses for regeneration, being politically controversial in establishing a hierarchy of regional capitals in the north. We present a practice-based critique and reflective analysis on the distinctive characteristics of the urban renaissance, exploring the changing relationship, reviewing the legacy and contemporary relevance of architecture and urban regeneration. We draw lessons from selected northern core city cases studies (Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield), using mixed and multiple methods including longitudinal attitudinal data, ethnographic / media sources and significantly primary data in the form of structured expert / practitioner reflection from those with direct involvement in delivering the urban renaissance. We show the decline in the importance of iconic design projects, the dilution of urban form to ‘provide for’, rather than ‘challenge’ the market, and how set priorities have moved from regional cities to a spread of competitive bidding processes covering all settlements. In revisiting the urban renaissance as a series of core city case studies we challenge the understanding of architectural success criteria at the city scale and the numerical over-simplification of regeneration policy.
Michael Crilly is a professional planner and a director of an urban design consultancy based in Newcastle upon Tyne, having previously worked in a variety of local authorities, national development agencies, civic charities, and private sector roles. He holds a PhD in sustainable urbanism and is a part‐time assistant professor in architecture and built environment at Northumbria University, an associate lecturer at both Newcastle and Teesside Universities, as well as a built environment expert for the UK Design Council CABE.
Tim Crawshaw is a multi-disciplinary practitioner, experienced senior leader and educator with a wide variety of public, third and private sector experience, specialising in urban design, masterplanning, sustainable development, the historic, natural and cultural environment. He is a Chartered Town Planner and Past President of the RTPI. Recently the Interim Director of Planning and Placemaking at Surrey County Council and currently Place Programme Director with West Sussex County Council;
Andy Graham is the founder of The Urban Glow Design & Heritage consultancy specialising in the fusion of built heritage, placemaking and sustainable futures. He has a background working in urban design and heritage for local planning authorities and central government agencies throughout Yorkshire. He is an IHBC HESPR registered practitioner for work within the historic environment, a member of the Urban Design Group (UDG), a Design Council CABE Built Environment Expert, an Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society;
Dave Webb is a senior lecturer in town planning where his research contributions span three related interests: statutory planning and its reform, urban policy & politics and heterodox approaches to planning. He is an established contributor to the long running textbook Town and Country Planning in the UK and has followed planning reform through a prior career in practice and fifteen years of teaching planning, publishing (and film making) extensively on urban cultures, regeneration policy, from the urban renaissance to levelling up;
Georgiana Varna is a senior lecturer in urbanism and planning at Newcastle University. She obtained her PhD, focused on assessing the quality of public spaces created on Glasgow’s regenerated waterfront, at the University of Glasgow. Her main research interests and activities are grounded in a passion for quality of place, inclusive city governance, and successful city partnerships. She is a trustee of Architecture Design Scotland.
9:00 am - 10:30 am
Wednesday 17th June, 2026