Working Class Heroes

Manchester is an ever-changing city. Towering new buildings seem to pop up at a frantic rate and cranes are an ever-present feature of the skyline. The city’s regeneration and reinvention gained renewed momentum after the 1996 bombings, and Manchester is now seen by many as a place of possibility and opportunity.

The themes of regeneration and renewal were explored in the film ‘Working Class Heroes’, the premier of which I attended on February 7th 2018. The film was part of a project by the youth leadership and social change organisation, ‘RECLAIM’, and focused on the impact of urban regeneration on the residents of Ancoats and Hulme. The majority of Manchester’s residential development has occurred in these two areas which were formerly run-down parts of the city. Manchester City Council has pledged one billion towards the regeneration schemes there, that will initially see 830 new homes built.

However, as the film demonstrated, not all Manchester residents are embracing the city’s rejuvenation. In many ways the film is a protest piece, raising awareness of those who have been forcibly removed from their council houses in order for them to be demolished or redeveloped. It explores the idea that at the heart of a city centre there is a strong sense of community spirit and identity, and that social integration and togetherness are often lost in the process of urban regeneration.

If you venture just north of the city centre, signs with the slogan ‘putting the soul back in to Manchester’ can be seen everywhere. But what is it that creates the ‘soul’ of a city? The ‘RECLAIM’ documentary argues that it is communities that do this, and that the spirit of a city is generated from its history and from the sense of security and belonging amongst its residents. This sentiment rings true for most people, myself included, however the documentary presents a somewhat one-sided viewpoint and arguably fails to acknowledge the positives and the bigger picture.

The redevelopment of Ancoats and Hulme has been largely residential but has also seen improvements in infrastructure and commercial property. Such development is seen as essential for a city such as Manchester to prosper and grow in the competitive global economy. What’s more, in the midst of a major housing crisis and a growing deficit of quality office space, the redevelopment and gentrification of Manchester’s suburbs seems to be the obvious solution. It is a difficult task to sustain and provide employment for the biggest population growth seen since Victorian times and improve the quality of housing and business facilities, whilst maintaining a sense of community and cultural heritage.

I believe it is important to strike a balance between creating a city which is ambitious and competitive, whilst maintaining a sense of belonging, cultural identity and place. To me, the regeneration of Manchester presents exciting new opportunities for the city to further establish itself as the capital of the north (the northern powerhouse). However, the possibility that Manchester, in its drive for development will lose its personality and ‘soul’ is an obvious concern. To avoid ruining the distinctiveness of Manchester, changes to infrastructure must be considered and informed by the city’s history and culture.

Manchester is known for its industrial red-brick architecture but its historic buildings are increasingly being torn down in the name of regeneration. The Smith’s Arms in Ancoats for example, built in 1775, was demolished two years ago to make way for 199 apartments and commercial units, despite opposition from campaigners. Personally, I see demolishing buildings of such character and historic significance, instead of redeveloping them or integrating them into a new development scheme as a missed opportunity. Planners and property developers need to find a way for old and new architecture to exist side by side by redeveloping areas in more creative ways, putting issues of social and cultural identity at the heart of the process. This would allow Manchester’s unique identity to be preserved whilst enabling the city to prosper and develop.

As the ‘Working Class Heroes’ film showed, the regeneration of cities often results in the separation and break down of communities. I feel strongly that this does not have to be the case. If cities are redeveloped in a sensitive and considered way, community cohesion and a sense of belonging and well-being can be strengthened rather than undermined. This however, takes imaginative and innovative planning on the part of local authorities, a process that must include the voice of local people. Also, by ensuring that public infrastructure such as parks, schools, pubs and local shops are at the heart of city regeneration, the sense of community can be nurtured and encouraged.

‘Working Class Heroes’ was a thought provoking documentary on the regeneration of Manchester. It made me consider the challenges of redeveloping our cities whilst preserving social cohesion and cultural identity. To me, the regeneration of Manchester is an exciting opportunity to create a really well designed, beautiful city with a strong sense of community and place, that is not only sympathetic to its past but embraces its future.