Manchester's first industrial revolution swept through the city in less than 100 years, then it disappeared almost as quickly as it had come. Leaping forwards in time to 1940 we find the great mills silent, and an increasing legacy of derelict factories, empty warehouses and rows of terraced houses that came to symbolise twentieth century Manchester. Today Manchester's cotton districts are undergoing a second revolution, housing and commerce are moving back as Victorian industrial buildings are saved from dereliction by conversion to luxury loft apartments and exclusive offices. Ancoats, Castlefield, Worsley (in Salford) and the canal network that links them, are now on the UK Government's shortlist of tentative World Heritage Sites. A nomination to UNESCO for World Heritage Status inscription is planned for 2003/4. "The archaeological heritage of Manchester and the concept of Manchester resonated around the world. Manchester is the key exemplar of the integration of key elements such as capital, transport, application of power, the factory system and commerce. Its virtuosity of achievement was a precursor for similar cities elsewhere and the Manchester model was exported worldwide. With such a legacy, Manchester, archetypal city of the industrial revolution deserves the accolade of World Heritage Site." Source: R. McNeil (2002) Manchester - Symbol and Model for the World In R. Mcneil & D.George (eds.)The Heritage Atlas 4 : Manchester Archetype City of the Industrial Revolution A Proposed World Heritage Site. UMFAC, Manchester. See also Manchester Cottonopolis and Manchester's Cotton Districts View the Mills today collection to find out more > |
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