Manchesterism: Reflections on URBED’s 30 years in Manchester August 2026August 2026 Manchester’s urban renaissance, driven by a blend of municipal socialism, laissez-faire planning and private capital, stands as a remarkable economic and demographic turnaround. URBED, intimately involved over three decades, highlights how reversing suburban flight by creating walkable, dense neighbourhoods like Hulme catalysed growth. The introduction of the Sustainable Urban Neighbourhood model fostered economic vibrancy by attracting young professionals back to the city. Despite occasional friction with local authorities, URBED’s work underpinned Greater Manchester’s transformation into a ‘City of Towns’, buoyed by the Metrolink tram network and sustained by integrated spatial planning.
