Which city is the best at ground level?

Let's just see if you can vote for a city OTHER than the one you live in/was born.

As suggested by Kids in the Riot,

Birmingham with all the bias I have within me.

Even with the Big top?

I did write a wonderful description of each city and which order I put them into, and why, only for this website to fall over again. makes a change huh?

Can't be bothered doing it again. But Glasgow, that's what I put, out of those.

This thread has been a long time in the waiting. It's gonna be tricky though to decide on which city to vote for in this thread, compared to threads such as 'Best current skyline' and 'best future skyline' because you can't simply look at a few skyline shots to help you make your choice.

If you haven't been to one of the cities listed, is it really fair to vote? The only city listed that I haven't been to is Glasgow and the general feeling is that has one of the best streetscapes in the country. I guess I'm gonna have to visit Glasgow before I can vote on this poll.

I think this is one of those threads where people will just vote their own city rather than thinking about it,I thought about voting Glasgow which is quite beautiful at street level but can look a bit uniform with all those stone buildings. Manchester has the most ecclectic streetscape so therefore more interest for me.

I have to say Leeds; there are very few areas that aren't 'nice'. Definetley not Birmingham (Some areas are nice- others not). Glasgow has some very nice streets, but some need improvement. Liverpool and Manchester are 'OK' but just a bit boring.

Let's get some photos on the go!

The gorgeous Selfridges...

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Selfridges1.jpg

Centenary Square from high above...

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Ground1.jpg

And Finally, the sexy base of Holloway Circus Tower next to a dirty, vile car park...

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/w.jpg

Hehehe, Manchester!

Pics from Flickr:

http://static.flickr.com/100/284977234_041576f2d1_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/55/184703223_d846c6bc6e.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/21/37429018_4d12e6f5d8.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/22/35781386_ac1320537d_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/121/255695741_c71651d9ce.jpg?v=0

More pics in a bit.

Leeds

http://www.ukuug.org/events/linux2004/leeds/Albion_Place_big.jpg
http://www.biology.leeds.ac.uk/assets/Briggate.jpg
http://www.lookingatbuildings.org.uk/img_hr/dockstreet.jpg
http://www.ukuug.org/events/linux2004/leeds/guide_73.jpg
http://www.*******************/leeds-shopping02052005/source/image/leeds-shopping-8393.jpg
http://img1.travelblog.org/Photos/2154/5951/t/21877-View-of-Leeds-City-Centre-0.jpg
http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/travel/tg/lp/85/500x500_85ee576a502e342ebfd7e87979775540.jpg
http://www.*******************/winter_sunshine012003/source/image/dscn8748.jpg

Avoided the grandeur of the main areas and squares to try to give a better view of what most the city is like. Cloth Hall Street, The Headrow, Park Row, Infirmary Street, East Parade and The Calls are all streets I would like to include; can't find decent pictures.

I vote Leeds but I've never been to Glasgow.

I have lots of phone-cam (shudder) pics of Leeds which I shall include, taken spontaneously just before I moved to London. My vote, of course, will go to Leeds. I love the mixture of the old and new sitting hand in hand. The shopping is fantastic there, just the right mix of things for the perfect shopping trip (1/4 shopping to 3/4 coffee). There's plenty of open space, but plenty of hidden, cobbled streets with nice pubs down too.

One thing I would complain about though is the lack of green in the city. I don't think I remember ever seeing a tree there, except in Park Square!


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/th_Leeds15.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/Leeds15.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/th_Leeds16.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/Leeds16.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/th_Leeds17.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/Leeds17.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/th_Leeds1.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/Leeds1.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/th_Leeds4.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/Leeds4.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/th_Leeds5.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/Leeds5.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/th_Leeds6.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/Leeds6.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/th_Leeds7.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/Leeds7.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/th_Leeds8.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/Leeds8.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/th_Leeds9.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/Leeds9.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/th_Leeds19.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/Leeds19.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/th_Leeds18.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/Leeds18.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/th_Leeds13.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/Leeds13.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/th_Leeds10.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/Leeds10.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/th_Leeds2.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/Leeds2.jpg)


I must apologise for the quality of the pictures, but as I say, they were completely spontaneous, and taken literally on my last venture into the city before I left.

Some better quality pics.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/th_VictoriaQuarter.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/VictoriaQuarter.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/th_resized_100_0791.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/resized_100_0791.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/th_2005_04200023.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/2005_04200023.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/th_2003416_743199647.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/2003416_743199647.jpg)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/th_civic_hall_full.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/civic_hall_full.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/th_town20hall.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/town20hall.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/th_370x245_citysq12.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/370x245_citysq12.jpg)


All of the thumnails are clickable, and I cannot take any credit for the second set of photies!

Subliving.

I have voted Glasgow - only been once but the city centre is good for street-level stuff.

I would put Brum second, possibly bias, but possibly because Brum used to have by far the WORST streetscape (subways, flyovers, lots of city centre traffic) so they had to do something radical. Now we have lots of wide pavements, public squares and high quality public realm. Not as much block paving as I'd like but we're getting there...

I must say (and this isn't a slight) that I am disappointed with Mcr. For all the great proposals and buildings coming on-line I really think the public realm needs sorting. The pavements are quite narrow (I can see that this could be part of the charm, but in my book pedestrians are the most important in a city centre, and it is bad when people have to step into the road on a busy street). It feels like London with the streetscape, and whilst the buildings are gorgeous (old and new), you don't really get the chance to appreciate them.

Don't really remember much of Leeds so won't comment.

Sheffield's pretty good though

There can be only one. And it's certainly Glasgow.

There can be only one. And it's certainly Glasgow.

I agree but I suppose they'll finish way back knowing these lot.

Never been to the UK but Glasgow and Edinburgh seem to have the upper hand when it comes to old architecture and streetscape. I take it they didn´t got bombed during the war?

Although I´m very impressed by those Manchester and Leeds pics. I have this little feeling that they´re pretty well selected though, but maybe I´m wrong.

No most of Leeds is like that. Leeds has a fantastic street scape and the shopping there is great (I'm not a big shopper but my girlfriend is).

Although I´m very impressed by those Manchester and Leeds pics. I have this little feeling that they´re pretty well selected though, but maybe I´m wrong.

Maybe you are right SuomiPoika!!!!!!

^^I recon Sheffield has some of the nicest streetscapes. It's just a shame theyre heavily outweighed by the crap parts.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j270/caw12345/P5050153copy.jpgAlthough I´m very impressed by those Manchester and Leeds pics. I have this little feeling that they´re pretty well selected though, but maybe I´m wrong.

This will give you a better idea of Manchester's street scape!

Which city is the best at ground level?

Let's just see if you can vote for a city OTHER than the one you live in/was born.

As suggested by Kids in the Riot,


Arf.

No chance.

Glasgow, the downtown really works for me on a human scale while having enough scale and good architecture to let you know you're in a big city.

Street level is the best level to see Manchester, the mix of shops, business, building etc. really works.

I haven't been to Birmingham or Leeds for a while. Leeds from what I recall has the street vibe, Birmingham (probably about 2000) definately didn't. Things change though.

Liverpool's slowly moving away from a couple of dominate shopping streets and a distinct business district to a far freer flowing and inclusive downtown. The street patterns are there, the architecture is there just needs more street level interaction in some places and some of the bombs sites filling in to knit the place together again.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j270/caw12345/P5050153copy.jpg

This will give you a better idea of Manchester's street scape!

'tis not a streetscape Mr FLD!!

Although I´m very impressed by those Manchester and Leeds pics. I have this little feeling that they´re pretty well selected though, but maybe I´m wrong.

I was thinking the opposite. (Bond Street? Come on, guys.)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/Nicholas_Varley/Leeds/Leeds8.jpg

But it does make an imporatant point about this debate. You can only tell which streetscapes you prefer by actually visiting them yourself, rather than having a 'hyperreal' experience on the net.

'tis not a streetscape Mr FLD!!

What is that 'thingy' with the buses & vans along it then ..... a street, maybe?!

This will give you a better idea of Manchester's street scape!

Try this FLD.

I could post numerous pictures of Whitworth Street, Princess Street, Oxford Road, Deansgate, kings Street, St Annes Square and the others numerous Victorian building Lined streetscapes. But the one below will do.

BTW. I've never been to Glasgow, but it does look fantastic and it would probably get my vote. I've been to Birmingham a few times. Let's just leave it at that.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/ak.jpg

^^I recon Sheffield has some of the nicest streetscapes. It's just a shame theyre heavily outweighed by the crap parts.

Sheffield city centre today is like paradise compared to its early nineties nadir, but it'll take some considerable work to get it up to scratch with the likes of Glasgow.

However, Sheffield wins hands-down in the suburban streetscape stakes. The hills, the hills!

Glasgow most definately absolutely beautiful at ground level. New Build, Birmingham, it also has the added extra of the canals which they are really starting to make use of.


Broad Street
http://www.birminghamnet.co.uk/galleries/city-centre/broadst/800.broadst11.jpg

http://www.birminghamnet.co.uk/galleries/city-centre/broadst/800.broadst16.jpg

http://www.birminghamnet.co.uk/galleries/city-centre/broadst/800.broadst20.jpg

http://www.birminghamnet.co.uk/galleries/city-centre/broadst/800.4-broadst.jpg

Brindley Place
http://www.birminghamnet.co.uk/galleries/city-centre/brindleyplace/800.brindley12.jpg

http://www.birminghamnet.co.uk/galleries/city-centre/brindleyplace/800.brindley14.jpg

http://www.birminghamnet.co.uk/galleries/city-centre/brindleyplace/800.central.jpg

http://www.birminghamnet.co.uk/galleries/city-centre/brindleyplace/800.ikon.jpg

Bullring
http://www.birminghamnet.co.uk/galleries/city-centre/bullring/800.bullring14.jpg

http://www.birminghamnet.co.uk/galleries/city-centre/bullring/800.bullring13.jpg

Temple Street
http://www.birminghamnet.co.uk/galleries/city-centre/colmore/800.colmore25.jpg

St. Phillips Cathedral
http://www.birminghamnet.co.uk/galleries/city-centre/colmore/800.cathedral1.jpg

Mailbox
http://www.birminghamnet.co.uk/galleries/city-centre/mailbox/800.mailbox2.jpg

http://www.birminghamnet.co.uk/galleries/city-centre/mailbox/800.mailbox5.jpg

JRB and FLD you're both as bad as one another. :ohno:

Try this FLD.

I could post numerous pictures of Whitworth Street, Princess Street, Oxford Road, Deansgate, kings Street, St Annes Square and the others numerous Victorian building Lined streetscapes. But the one below will do.

BTW. I've never been to Glasgow, but it does look fantastic and it would probably get my vote. I've been to Birmingham a few times. Let's just leave it at that.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/ak.jpg

Firstly - that is so bitchy!! ;) . Birmingham is held up as an example of how to do public realm (I will restrict that to city centre, I hasten to add).

Secondly (and pay attention FLD aswell) - ^^ that is not a streescape. it is an aerial shot. A view of rooftops is not a streetscape either. A streetscape is a pedestrian's point of view.

Thirdly - ^^ that is a public square, and an unremarkable one at that. The Town Hall is lovely, mind :)

http://www.webbaviation.co.uk/gallery/d/11091-1/aa08295b.jpg

@ Sim...

:redx: :redx: :redx: :redx: :redx: :redx: :redx: :redx: :redx:

http://www.imagesofbirmingham.co.uk/php-cgi/gallery2/d/13762-1/09CH0906+050.jpg

No votes for places like Bath or Ediburgh then?

Couple of Manchester:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0928.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0929.jpg

Cleobury Mortimer is due for a spruce up :lol:

JRB and FLD you're both as bad as one another. :ohno:

Come on Sim it's not that serious. No one's bashing. We've just got differing views.:)

Nice pics

Firstly - that is so bitchy!! ;) . Birmingham is held up as an example of how to do public realm (I will restrict that to city centre, I hasten to add).

Secondly (and pay attention FLD aswell) - ^^ that is not a streescape. it is an aerial shot. A view of rooftops is not a streetscape either. A streetscape is a pedestrian's point of view.

Thirdly - ^^ that is a public square, and an unremarkable one at that. The Town Hall is lovely, mind :)

Here you go Bio.

Don't forget, the CIS building has been reclad in solar panels since this picture was taken. (I'll try and take the same picture tomorrow morning)

http://www.johndavies.uk.com/Manchester-Urbis.jpg

Picture by John Davies.

Click on link for other numerous Manchester streetscapes/pictures by Tony Woof.

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://homepage.ntlworld.com/t.woof/gen/Urbis_IMGP6473-t-tx.jpg&imgrefurl=http://homepage.ntlworld.com/t.woof/gen/manc.htm&h=500&w=375&sz=62&hl=en&start=58&tbnid=-tzLuq05mqIF_M:&tbnh=130&tbnw=98&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcathedral%2Bgardens%26start%3D40%26ndsp%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DN

Newcastle is stunning at streetlevel in addition to places like Edinburgh, Oxford and Bath. Edinburgh's Royal Mile is really unique. Aberdeen has an outstanding main street in the city centre.

@ Sim...

:redx: :redx: :redx: :redx: :redx: :redx: :redx: :redx: :redx:

I know. Bit if a bugger. Birminghamnet wont let us post pictures anymore. Bit of a downer.

No one's bashing. We've just got differing views.:)

That seems to be the same thing here on SSC these days. Yesterday I got a moderator warning just because I disagreed with a bunch of Americans. I just said I think LA is very suburb-like, that was all. The funny part was that those who disagreed with me started insulting me (which you should bet banned for) but the moderator ignored them. It clearly isn´t worth saying you opinion here any more.

http://swordfish.rdfweb.org/photos/2003/09/04/2003-09-04-Images/4.jpg

Come on Sim it's not that serious. No one's bashing. We've just got differing views.:)


I agree, jrb. You love your city, I love mine ..... nothing wrong with that, & the jibes you make about Birmingham do not offend me, & likewise vice-vesa?

Bio, you could argue a canal is a "street", widen up your focus a bit. Plus whether taken from a distance, in the same way you view a land"scape", the same can be applied to streets, you can view a streetscape from a distance too!

I agree, jrb. You love your city, I love mine ..... nothing wrong with that, & the jibes you make about Birmingham do not offend me, & likewise vice-vesa?

Exactly FLD. :)

JRB & FLD you're both as good as sucking up as one another ;)

Here you go Bio.

Don't forget, the CIS building has been reclad in solar panels since this picture was taken. (I'll try and take the same picture tomorrow morning)

http://www.johndavies.uk.com/Manchester-Urbis.jpg

Picture by John Davies.


Now that's much better, and the square is lovely (despite the fact I am not a fan of Urbis). Lovely paving and a good splash of green :)

Bio, you could argue a canal is a "street", widen up your focus a bit. Plus whether taken from a distance, in the same way you view a land"scape", the same can be applied to streets, you can view a streetscape from a distance too!

No No NO!

I am happy to concede that a canal is a "street" since it has traffic and pedestrians, but a landscape is a landscape, not a streetscape, and an aerial shot is not a streetscape because pedestrians don't get to see it.

A streetscape is all about paving, furniture, access to light and how buildings relate to you, as well as stuff like width of pavement and road etc.

Here's a quick collection of Glasgow streetscape shots - apologies if I've put most of these pics up before :)


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Buch.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Sauch.jpg
First two by Gleegieboy

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/SSCSubway.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Finneston1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Finneston3.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/100_2676-1.jpg
Those three by Russell Davies

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/TheMan.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Forum.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Forum2.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/PC050103-1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/beresford.jpg
Last two by Gleegieboy

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/P1020982.jpg
Gleegieboy

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Cineworld.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/secc_glasgow_fosters_P5.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Buchanan.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Telephone.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/ssc1-1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/GOMA.jpg
Gleegieboy

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/CityChambers.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/P3050047.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/hdb-11.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/BW002.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/BW003.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/BW026.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/BW005.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/BW015.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Skye1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Skye2.jpg
Black and white plus last two by Skyescraper

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/GomA.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/P1260035.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/GreatHouse.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/BusyHyndland.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/TGSE00325.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/ggpix20sunny20glasgow2006.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/ggpix20italian20centre2009.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/ggpix20sunny20glasgow2004.jpg

I love the way each of our big cities has a completely different feel to it, and have to say that Birmingham continues to impress!

I'm also impressed with Manchester's huge mix of streetscape - it's got a great collection of stuff from all ages, much like Glasgow.


I haven't been to ever city on this list, so it probably isn't fair that I vote, but I can't see Glasgow being beaten on this one.

That list of pics I just put up was a quick effort, I might edit it later when I have more time, put some better shots in...

Need more pics of Leeds and Definitely more pics of Liverpool (it's a good'un for da streetz-scape), btw :)

Here's a quick collection of Glasgow streetscape shots - apologies if I've put most of these pics up before :)


Don't apologise mate. Some of my favourite EVER Skyscrapercity pics are in that little lot.

Sigh. What a fantastic city.

Incidentally, I'm in Manchester every day of my working life - have been for years. It's a great place to walk around. I love it. But honestly, Glasgow is a different league.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/Bardhok/DSC01473.jpg











http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/Bardhok/DSC01478.jpg








http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/Bardhok/DSC01481.jpg[/QUOTE]
Taken in Exchange square Manchester

I have a feeling this poll is becoming corrupt by bias. The vast majority of Manchester voters are from Manchester itself whilst I see the majority of Birmingham votes have actually strayed from the chance of voting Birmingham and voted mainly for Glasgow.

Bull ring:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/Birmingham%2006/DSCF1232.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/Birmingham%2006/DSCF1233.jpg

Centenary Square:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/Birmingham%2006/DSCF1131-1.jpg

Edmund Street:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/Birmingham%2006/DSCF1192.jpg

Another street which I cant work out the name of...:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/Birmingham%2006/DSCF11621.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/Birmingham%2006/DSCF11661.jpg

Just a few more of Manc


http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/Bardhok/DSC01461.jpg








http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/Bardhok/DSC01471.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/Bardhok/DSC01469.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/Bardhok/DSC01472.jpg[/QUOTE]

I don't think Birmingham's strength is its streetscape. It certainly has an imposing skyline by British standards, but I'd put Manchester, Glasgow, Liverpool and Leeds above it at the moment in terms of architecture at street level.

Glasgow seems to be the best outside Britain, looks really nice. Manchester looks more colousful though, Glasgow looks a little depressive. Leeds looks great as well. As for Birmingham, those pics are great but overall the city seems to lag behind Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow.


Anyway, this is a great thread, keep it going:)

Anyone got any pics of Edinburgh and Newcastle?

Edinburgh :

http://www.stuckonscotland.co.uk/edinburgh/wallpapers.html

Glasgow does look amazing, I think it's fair to say that Manchester's 'grittier' than Glasgow. :)

More pics of Manchester, my pics are only selected in that i'm selecting pics that are away from the main retail area (which i fucking hate)

http://static.flickr.com/86/258914740_258ddb3bcb.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/82/247424206_8f2de1acca.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/30/39901783_c372b8b538_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/61/182689898_cf7c84b185.jpg?v=0

Is this alowed?

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/t.woof/gen/OverMancIMGP4011-ch-tx.jpg

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ewm/001ewm/lg/ManSnow4gSackvlPk4128.jpg

http://www.ma.man.ac.uk/~higham/photos/manchester/030914-1510-44_std.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/56/146561703_af0709731c.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/88/214348869_7f52cc6d08.jpg?v=0

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ewm/ic9/70.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/106/278144944_cbdf2afc71.jpg?v=0

Credits to to folks on flickr :cheers:

That's a great site, El Greco. Edinburgh is a truly stunning city, and while it's easy one of the most beautiful in Europe, it's more just a big town with incredible set pieces than a metropolitan city like the UK's big hitters. In saying that it is a financial behemoth, which is fairly impressive considering it's population.


It seems the voting has been fairly reasonable so far - I haven't voted yet because I want to see pics from all the cities before I make up my mind.

Leeds does have a really good streetscape; it's similar to Glasgow actually. Well I think so anyway. I love Glasgow, but as soon as you leave the main city centre core the streetscape isn't that good.

That's a great site, El Greco. Edinburgh is a truly stunning city, and while it's easy one of the most beautiful in Europe, it's more just a big town with incredible set pieces than a metropolitan city like the UK's big hitters. In saying that it is a financial behemoth, which is fairly impressive considering it's population.


Cheers.I agree with what you said - Edinburgh rocks!Heres another great site

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/index.html

I love Scotland :cheers:

Have you ever been to Glasgow's West End or the Southside? They are truly stunning in places, as impressive as the city centre. Nice to see Glasgow ahead without a single vote from any of its forum members, unlike some of you who would vote for your city if it was a row of mudhuts.

Nice to see Glasgow ahead without a single vote from any of its forum members, unlike some of you who would vote for your city if it was a row of mudhuts.

:rofl:

www.***************
I shoulda thought of that before! A virtual tour site of Leeds; suburbs and centre. Click the map and then choose tours.

Oh doesn't work
its v r leeds.co.uk

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f32/unners/citycentre017.jpg[/IMG]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f32/unners/citycentre015.jpg[/IMG http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f32/unners/citycentre016.jpg[/IMG]

Sheffield has some impressive water features and squares that have been developed in the last few years.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f32/unners/citycentre021.jpg


http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f32/unners/citycentre023.jpg

Barkers Pool area

Mmmm this is an interesting one .

Manchester , Glasgow , are both great a street level , love both cities.

Leeds and Liverpool as some great parts , but not enough .

Birmingham ,i really like Brum its a speical place to me for a lots of different things , but not this.

Also Nottinham and Newcastle have some great street scapes:)

Id say where Glasgow does have good streetscenes, they're very good ones; beat any city any day. But Leeds is of a good standard throughout; Glasgow is 2 extremes. Unfourtanetley about 75% of the city is not so good. Liverpool isn't dirty or shabby; just boring (so I find anyway).

I think Birminghams the most Modern city, Dunno if that's a good thing or not, a few years ago I'd have said v bad, but now they're doing up/replacing so many of the, err less impressive 60s stuff it's coming on leaps on bounds.

For example

http://www.linearb.net/construction/temple_point_1.jpg
maybe not worlds best building, but nice enough, get the ugs to presentable, the good can look after themselve, and you're on to a winner.

But in terms of steet level stuff, I'd say Glagow then Manchester, And I much prefer Glasgow to Ediburgh for example.

New Train Station Sq and Millenium Sq and Barkers pool fountains
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f32/unners/NewSheafSquare.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f32/unners/550e7cf9.jpg

[IMG]http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f32/unners/282586894_03d3f69357_o.jpg
The lighting in the next three pictures constantly change colour.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f32/unners/266294638_c35a81c757.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f32/unners/CityHallfountainsbynight.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f32/unners/night.jpg

Tis nice around there, about the only building with the word millenium in the name that's any good,

Millenium Point anyone?

Anyone remember the old Sheffield Town Hall Extention? :crazy2:

And here it is..
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f32/unners/286777813_df4cfd426d_o.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f32/unners/FlashbackEggboxandWeddingCake.jpg

Manchesters 'grand canyon' street district


Whitworth St
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j270/caw12345/P3310065copy.jpg

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/4304TheLock_pic4.jpg






http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/1269StJamesBuildings_pic3.jpg

Sheffield's Town Hall extention was slight better than I remember!

And two of those last Manchester Pictures are stunning.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/Bardhok/DSC01461.jpg

I love that shot. Shame there's a Burger King there though.

I'm really tempted to vote for Manchester despite not seeing Glasgow through my own eyes. But I shall resist.

I prefer Glasgow to Edinburgh too :) By far. I don't really like Edinburgh that much to be honest. Very overrated imo.

Agreed Van Heckler - it's a great shot, so urban, but that damn Burger King ruins it!

Sheffield seems to have some magnificant street art going on - I'd like to see some more of that on this thread - the lighting used is fantastic.


Also, those two shots that Caw posted of the Canyon effect are brilliant. Especially the first shot - I can't get enough of those buildings.


Lol @ boards comment also :)

--------------------------

El_Greco - great site that, cheers for posting it. It's got a great bit on Linlithgow (near edinburgh), my home town. Thanks matey :)

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/Bardhok/DSC01461.jpg

I love that shot. Shame there's a Burger King there though.

I'm really tempted to vote for Manchester despite not seeing Glasgow through my own eyes. But I shall resist.

I really like Manchester but the one thing that stands out in that picture are all the posts for the tram wires they dont half clutter up the city. I know in Sheffield they made sure that were possible in the centre the wires were anchored to the buildings.

More Sheffield Street art howard Street that will link with the new square being finished outside the train statiion.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f32/unners/HowardSt02060306.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f32/unners/HowardSt01060306.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f32/unners/HowardSt03060306.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f32/unners/HowardSt04060306.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f32/unners/HowardSt06060306.jpg

http://www.arrakeen.ch/europe/205%20%20Manchester.JPG

http://www.arrakeen.ch/europe/204%20%20Manchester.JPG

New and old its tough to topple Manny on that...

Those brum one's posted are auwfull...sorry. You can do better...

Leeds is of a good standard throughout;

..

Simon Jenkins
Friday May 5, 2006
The Guardian

The recent transformation of its (Leeds') centre has been astonishing. Blessedly undamaged by bombs, it survived utopian destruction in the 1960s and 1970s, when Birmingham and Manchester were laying themselves to waste. As a result almost all Leeds streets retain their Victorian character. From the booming Aire river corridor with its million-pound maisonettes, uphill to Cuthbert Brodrick's magnificent town hall, a fine urban core is emerging from a history of grime. The spectacular Corn Exchange, the gothic markets building, Frank Matcham's superb County Arcade, the civic centre, churches, playhouses, alleys and courtyards are now interspersed with the other necessity of Jacobs's "double-shift" city: residential conversions.

Glasgow has a lot of great streetscapes with varying lanscape, so wins for me, but every city has a number of great streetscapes.

You're right there Juxtapol - all these cities have come on in leaps and bounds over the last 5-10 years. I was just walking up King Street in Manchester this lunch time and you've got a great view there as you look up the hill.

And what with the sun and everything - brilliant. Pity I was going back to fuckin work.

Quick collection of Brum then. My order, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Brum, Leeds.

http://www.imagesofbirmingham.co.uk/php-cgi/gallery2/d/14226-2/01CH0806+039.jpg

http://www.imagesofbirmingham.co.uk/php-cgi/gallery2/d/1891-2/29PW1105_072.jpg

http://www.imagesofbirmingham.co.uk/php-cgi/gallery2/d/1939-2/18MH0805_007.jpg

http://www.imagesofbirmingham.co.uk/php-cgi/gallery2/d/1943-2/18MH0805_006.jpg

http://www.imagesofbirmingham.co.uk/php-cgi/gallery2/d/1945-2/18MH0805_004.jpg

http://www.imagesofbirmingham.co.uk/php-cgi/gallery2/d/2109-2/011204_226.jpg

http://www.imagesofbirmingham.co.uk/php-cgi/gallery2/d/2139-2/191104_115.jpg

http://www.imagesofbirmingham.co.uk/php-cgi/gallery2/d/12537-3/03CH0506+143.jpg

http://www.imagesofbirmingham.co.uk/php-cgi/gallery2/d/12531-3/03CH0506+127.jpg

http://www.imagesofbirmingham.co.uk/php-cgi/gallery2/d/1449-2/29PW1105_047.jpg

http://www.imagesofbirmingham.co.uk/php-cgi/gallery2/d/13718-1/15CH1205+464.jpg

http://www.imagesofbirmingham.co.uk/php-cgi/gallery2/d/2405-2/020405_141.jpg

http://www.imagesofbirmingham.co.uk/php-cgi/gallery2/d/10788-2/03CH0406+052.jpg

I think Edinburgh if it was in it, then Glasgow.

I voted for Manc though, as I'm an arse.

Leeds

http://www.ukuug.org/events/linux2004/leeds/Albion_Place_big.jpg


What the hell are those terrible lamposts and the clumsy bases?!

I want to see something forward thinking and different in the streetscapes to get my vote

Centenary Square from high above...

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/van_heckler/Ground1.jpg



Centenary Square is a horrible experience! Cant be seriously putting it forward as the UKs best streetscape!

Centenary Square is a wonderful large open space with a great setting.

Tut - some people :ohno:

^^ Agreed!

I posted 3 photos of Brum and you chose to criticise that pic over the Holloway Circus pic? Bizarre!

We'll post some Liverpool pics once the 'Big Dig' has finished.

See you in 2010....

The problem with Brum is that the ugly streetscapes are the ones people see the most and the most beautiful ones are hidden away in the office areas away from the retail areas. Real shame.

I was going to say the same thing Erebus555!
When I visited, I wasn't very impressed on the whole...but there are some particularly nice spots dotted around that you wouldn't find if you didn't know your way around (as highlighted in post 83).

Before I vote, I want/need some pics of Liverpool.

Manchester has some amazing streetscape's. The one problem I have with it though is that they have huge busy road's cutting through them and tiny pavements.

So I voted for glasgow (although I've never been). The picture's of it look lovely.

Sheffield

http://static.flickr.com/52/139255681_8c7a82fbcd_b.jpg
(And at night):
http://static.flickr.com/91/278492089_2961741bc7.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/65/203263714_d075000f34.jpg?v=0
http://static.flickr.com/106/276246847_152cacdb6b_m.jpg

I couldn't find any of Barker's Pool which also has some nice lighting.

The station square, (u/c) will also have some interesting lighting

The one place that really stands out in the best visited areas is west New Street and Corporation Street. Broad Street will look really jaw dropping in a few years.

I think the new work in Sheffield is stunning, and it is setting the benchmark for highly designed modern public spaces. They do so many interesting things there that EVERY other city seems scared to do (apart from Leeds because I haven't been there for ages so can't comment) :)

Leeds and Manchester look much more modern than London. Maybe not the buildings, but public spaces with funky lighting schemes is something London seems to lack.

That seems to be the same thing here on SSC these days. Yesterday I got a moderator warning just because I disagreed with a bunch of Americans. I just said I think LA is very suburb-like, that was all. The funny part was that those who disagreed with me started insulting me (which you should bet banned for) but the moderator ignored them. It clearly isn´t worth saying you opinion here any more.


Nah, you got a warning from the moderator because you were trolling and behaving like an ass.

Some of Liverpools.

Just a part of Castle St.
http://img436.imageshack.us/img436/2414/zcastlestreet1ok3.jpg

From the other end.
http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/7423/ztrialshotel3ov7.jpg

Strand road from a distance. Lots of roadworks going on along here at moment.
http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/3710/zunityandstrandbuildingtu5.jpg

Liverpool like Manchester has an interesting mix of archetectural styles. There is no way Liverpool should be lagging the likes Leeds on this poll.Is there no justice?Parts of Glasgow look beautiful but dare I say it a bit monotone . Another piece if Manchester at street level...

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/Bardhok/DSC01556.jpg

Strand road from a distance. Lots of roadworks going on along here at moment.
http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/3710/zunityandstrandbuildingtu5.jpg

Love this picture :-P

Wow! Liverpool looks great too!

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/502/petercarrnr1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/1957/petercarr1mz0.jpg



http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/466/chinatownpetecarrkw5.jpg

Liverpool shouldn't be lagging behind anyone we can hold our own.

Nah, you got a warning from the moderator because you were trolling and behaving like an ass.

I don´t want to ruin this thread but I have to reply to this false statement. You´re an American, an I guess that makes you wanna defens American cities to the death. What you don´t get is that I have an opinion of my own and no one has the right to ban me because of that. I had arguments, ideas and opinions and so did westernlife (or whatever his name was). Then some other guys joined the discussion and started insult me, saying I was a retard etc...That´s something one should get banned for but no, instead I got a warning! You know full well I did not insult anyone, did no racist statements or anything like it.

There are so many on this forum who think LA looks too suburban. Nygirl has been complaining about this way more than I have. So either you just hate me or then you´re a racist because I haven´t seen you accusing Nygirl for bashing and trolling.

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/8427/dscf2197dg4.jpg

All this picture is short of is a passing ship.

http://img429.imageshack.us/img429/500/lenbig38qu.jpg



http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/5899/grassendale1is.jpg



http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/953/canning1fd7poliks9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Liverpolitan took a good one here.

Selected Leeds

http://static.flickr.com/18/24043181_1bc6bfb629_o.jpg


http://static.flickr.com/71/225130967_ba7b97e56f_b.jpg


http://static.flickr.com/9/16050285_74653b0e07_b.jpg


http://static.flickr.com/71/154200055_57d599102d_b.jpg


http://static.flickr.com/24/46068164_af03af9e2b_b.jpg


http://static.flickr.com/18/24043283_fd60e98b12.jpg


http://static.flickr.com/44/145318384_57509de997_b.jpg


http://static.flickr.com/40/188931651_26af3c6f27_b.jpg


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/Leeds_Kirkgate_Market.jpg/800px-Leeds_Kirkgate_Market.jpg

I thought this was a wonderful picture worth sharing with people outside the Birmingham list

http://www.linearb.net/fort_dunlop/fort_05.jpg

http://www.linearb.net/fort_dunlop/fort_09.jpg

Not really a streetscape, but it shows a very good combination of the new/oldm oicts by Shel

Good old Urban Splash. :)

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/1773/petercarrfh9.jpg



http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/1957/petercarr1mz0.jpg



http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/466/chinatownpetecarrkw5.jpg



WOW.Those are amazing shots!

http://www.linearb.net/fort_dunlop/fort_05.jpg

Wow, thats turned out nice hasnt it.

Opens on December 1st

I voted for Leeds but anyone dissing Birmingham obviously either doesn't know it or hasn't been there for years. I lived there 2004-6 and can tell you the city centre is very walkable and has interesting public spaces. I love the city and would live there again. It seems to get better and better too. I think the new Cube will add to the streetscape (if you can stretch your opinion of what 'streetscape' is).

This is where British cities kick arse. Our skylines are still not much to write home about but at street level we're unbeatable.

I don´t want to ruin this thread but I have to reply to this false statement. You´re an American, an I guess that makes you wanna defens American cities to the death. What you don´t get is that I have an opinion of my own and no one has the right to ban me because of that. I had arguments, ideas and opinions and so did westernlife (or whatever his name was). Then some other guys joined the discussion and started insult me, saying I was a retard etc...That´s something one should get banned for but no, instead I got a warning! You know full well I did not insult anyone, did no racist statements or anything like it.

There are so many on this forum who think LA looks too suburban. Nygirl has been complaining about this way more than I have. So either you just hate me or then you´re a racist because I haven´t seen you accusing Nygirl for bashing and trolling.

You were warned because your original "argument" was nothing more than a snotty comment that was totally unprovoked.

And I'm assuming you don't know the definition of racist.

http://www.mathew.st/images/gallery/festival/2004/large/cavern_club2.jpg

http://www.mathew.st/images/gallery/festival/2003/large/mathew_street.jpg

Welcome to Birmingham.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/Birmingham%2006/DSCF1227.jpg

You were warned because your original "argument" was nothing more than a snotty comment that was totally unprovoked.

And I'm assuming you don't know the definition of racist.


go back to usa forum and stay there.thanks.

Welcome to Birmingham.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/Birmingham%2006/DSCF1227.jpg
:lol:

Thats a smashing shot, haha.

I'm quite sure I could find something similar of Glasgow too though :)

^^Just outside the city centre as well. I took that shot a few months back in the summer when some pillocks torched the Dubliner. If I moved the camera right a little, you'll see the bullring. :no:

I like certain areas of Liverpool best, but the problem is that Liverpool's best streets are in small pockets around the city. The stuff in between them isnt too good.
I love Manchester's too. Especially the canyon type streets around Whitworth Street. The main retail area somewhat lets it down.
Glasgow is probably my overall favourite. Every street is different.

Welcome to Birmingham.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/Erebus555/Birmingham%2006/DSCF1227.jpg


is this in the city centre?

if so expect it to be demolished and developed in 12 months time ,, burning these crappy building down , usually works .

That was a very busy Pub called the dubliner. Also a no go area for any villa fans, as it was one of the homes of the zulu army.

Its in the Irish Quarter. They say, when you drive past the Irish Quarter, dont blink or you'll miss it.

Well, they usally say, when you drive past the Irish Quarter blink or else you'll see it.

Some more Glasgow.. non of em' mine :)

Ta to Trek Earth for these:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/trekearth7.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/kelivn.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/trek_cycle.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/gallery.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/river_clyde.jpg



And ta to Glasgow Guide for these:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Radiance_2005_82.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Radiance_2005_19.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Radiance_2005_20.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Radiance_2005_25.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Radiance_2005_27.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Radiance_2005_60.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Radiance_2005_62.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Radiance_2005_56.jpg

A few more of Liverpool - it's difficult to give a good impression of our streetscapes because they're currently undergoing the largest single 'street level' development in Europe, but suffice to say when it's finished we'll have a few more to boast about...

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/1570/imgp0965oh3.jpg

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/1531/imgp0917fd9.jpg

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/6518/imgp0122xx6.jpg

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/8507/radio20city20towertn9.jpg

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/7468/imgp0925wm3.jpg

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/7683/imgp0927tr9.jpg

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/4694/herbets1rk0.jpg

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/1637/imgp1840tz0.jpg

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/3961/imgp1823nn9.jpg

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/7005/imgp1889py3.jpg

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/9229/imgp1897vx3.jpg

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/2455/4mt3.jpg

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/1576/imgp1833cx9.jpg

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/44/square1ll3.jpg

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/3833/victoria1ch5.jpg

http://www.mathew.st/images/gallery/festival/2004/large/cavern_club2.jpg

http://www.mathew.st/images/gallery/festival/2003/large/mathew_street.jpg

Those are excellent pics! What city?

There's a clue on the right hand side of the first picture...!!

Liverpool?

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/4694/herbets1rk0.jpg

Like that! Reminds of some BHS Christmas decoration. Tis cool. :)

...not been Liverpool in ages...

Liverpool?

Yes mate. Sorry, I didn't mean to sound facetious before. I shoulda just answered your question! :)

The photographs are taken looking down Mathew Street, home of The Cavern, where The Beatles used to play.

Hi Manc Guy, if you like that, check out these..

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/8140/imgp1954sv9.jpg

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/8549/imgp1955pb2.jpg

It's a relocated haridressers, part of the Paradise Street Project, dubbed as the 'bling building' for obvious reasons... looks great in the sun!

Everywhere looks better in the sun!

http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/7939/imgp1907tg1.jpg

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/6308/imgp1921cq1.jpg

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/8059/imgp1930eu3.jpg

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/540/imgp1932hp4.jpg

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/3558/imgp1923oc6.jpg

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/9615/imgp1934tv8.jpg

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/2897/imgp1935pb6.jpg

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/598/imgp1937um8.jpg

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/5862/imgp1944wr2.jpg

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/552/imgp1942sw8.jpg

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/9799/imgp1946kq5.jpg

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/4181/imgp1980ba6.jpg

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/622/imgp1987sd3.jpg

http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/4625/imgp1989xp1.jpg

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/5477/imgp2000ii7.jpg

I was going to vote for glasgow but noticed most people didnt adhere to the request not to vote for their own cities and so I voted for Manchester anyway.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/Bardhok/DSC01482.jpg



http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/Bardhok/DSC01485.jpg



http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/Bardhok/DSC01486.jpg




http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/Bardhok/DSC01487.jpg[/QUOTE]

Some people seem to be forgeting what this thread is called , posting pics of the top parts of buidings intead of street scenes/vibe.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/t.woof/gen/corpn_st_1100b_txt.jpg

http://www.lowefoto.com/man/man04.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/t.woof/gen/urbis-IMGP4316-tc-txt.JPG

http://www.picturesofengland.com/pictures/500/Royal_Exchange_Theatre_1122896474.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/t.woof/gen/McrTnHall_IMG_8545-a-tx.jpg

http://www.lookingatbuildings.org.uk/img_hr/manchester_britannia_hotel1_exterior.jpg

British cities are so underrated. People tend to like London, Edinburgh, Oxford etc...but when someone even mentions Manchester people think of commie blocks and factories. So much seem to have happened since the 70s.

Some people seem to be forgeting what this thread is called , posting pics of the top parts of buidings intead of street scenes/vibe.

I would say that the only condition of this thread is that you post photos taken from street level. A photo of a building taken from the street gives you an idea of what it's like to walk around a city at street level, rather than aerial views or panoramic distant views. Just because it says 'streetscape' doesn't mean that every photo has to be of a street with people in it, it's about capturing the experience of walking round a city, and it seems to me like most of the pictures here are doing that pretty well.

I would say that the only condition of this thread is that you post photos taken from street level. A photo of a building taken from the street gives you an idea of what it's like to walk around a city at street level, rather than aerial views or panoramic distant views. Just because it says 'streetscape' doesn't mean that every photo has to be of a street with people in it, it's about capturing the experience of walking round a city, and it seems to me like most of the pictures here are doing that pretty well.

Dont agree, a streetscape or streetscene should be just that, not top halves of individual buildings.Thats like a painter going to a valley in the countyside and just painting the top of a tree and calling it a landscape.It isnt.

Forgot to say, great pics of Liverpool there! I'm quite tempted to vote for it, as it seems to have plenty of classy architecture, but I'm not convinced of about the scale of it all. Is there much more to the city than the pictures here show?

Sorry, I'm still I dial up here, and those pictures are taking forever to load, but has someone put a picture up of the Liverpools Georgian stuff, Canning Place I think the areas called? Good streescapes, better than looking up at a nice town hall or something, if you know what I mean.

Canning Place is where the Police HQ is situated. Here's a pic of Canning St:
http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Society/Pix/pictures/2002/08/02/canning384.jpg

That's the bunny! I got lost around there last night, oh and insidently I said I would try and get a picture of Liverpool City Centre from Everton Brow at night, I forgot my camea, and to be honest I thought hanging around a well know red light District (apparently) with a camera wouldn't have been a good idea... So I've changed my mind.

By the way have you ever read the back of the 12" of KLF's It's Grim up North?

http://www.trancentral.ru/pix00/13_vids/grim13.jpg

No I haven't. Can't read. :(

having stepped from the wreckage of their 1968 Ford Galaxy American Police car Rockman and King D (The Justified Ancients of Mu MU) found their Ice cream van. Heading East over the Pennine-Straddling M62. They pull their Ice cream Van on to the hard shoulder Behind them to the west they can still make out the sprawling conurbation of Greater Manchester and those surrounding Lancadhire towns- proud in their Decline

Further West somewhere beyond Liverpool used to be. A dirty sunset sinks into the Irish Sea. To the east the sky is already Dark. The Yorkshire Towns seeking Solace in the Pennin Valleys but up here on this unhealing gash across the Backbone of England the Immediate Landscape is a Desolate Moorland. With none of the Grandeur of the Highlands or the Classic English Beauty of the Lakes.

Etc etc.

I forgot my camera

You've been making a habit of that! :)

Not bad Stephen, however i think McNabb said it better. :cheers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNa1SXonTx8&mode=related&search=

Loving the Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool and Mcr shots - so much detail. Anybody going to post some JQ and Colmore area shots of Brum?

http://images.tribe.net/tribe/upload/photo/855/ee4/855ee429-5651-47d3-9185-819b20b2d5bfLoving the Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool and Mcr shots - so much detail. Anybody going to post some JQ and Colmore area shots of Brum?

Colmore Square, the 'modern' end of Colmore Row, Birmingham.

..

..

Dont agree, a streetscape or streetscene should be just that, not top halves of individual buildings.Thats like a painter going to a valley in the countyside and just painting the top of a tree and calling it a landscape.It isnt.

Ok, it's coming down to a difference of interpretation, if you take the word 'streetscape' literally, then yes, a picture should have a bit of street in it - but if you look at what this thread is really about, it's giving a feel and impression of the city from street level, and oddly enough, when I'm walking round the city, occasionally I look up a the buildings I'm walking past - it's the difference between the view from the street and a view of the street. If you're really worried about the technicalities of it, why not start a thread called 'views of buildings taken from street level' and I'll happily move all such pictures there. :nuts:

http://static.flickr.com/28/41084088_f2cb34b740_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/35/109188987_ebaa3251ce_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/46/109784616_39786f6aa1_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/26/65622531_6c72104a83_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/113/287857948_0cffc94533_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/120/286010114_b16979a8b2_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/99/279288067_d2fe4758cc_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/116/282647846_2f72a6f856.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/86/282641240_1f36a8b6e6_b.jpg

Forgot to say, great pics of Liverpool there! I'm quite tempted to vote for it, as it seems to have plenty of classy architecture, but I'm not convinced of about the scale of it all. Is there much more to the city than the pictures here show?

Hi David, glad you're impressed, all those photos were taken on a single walk round some parts of the city which lasted about an hour. There's a hell of a lot more photos that I could have taken on that trip, plus all the photos which I could have taken had I gone to the other 70% of the city which I didn't get time to walk through. As I said in an earlier post though, the city centre is undergoing a massive overhaul, so large chunks of it are currently building site - but once it's complete it's gonna be difficult to match in terms of historic grace alongside modern retail, watch this space!

Nice pictures slim, I'll be in Brum in a few weeks and look forward to having a wander and taking a few pics of my own.

http://static.flickr.com/28/41084088_f2cb34b740_b.jpg

I like the Couple overcome by the the quaility streetscaper, they have no choice but to make love there and then!

http://www.birminghamuk.com/album/albums/westmidlands/birmingham/normal_brndleywharf.jpg

Winter is coming!!

http://static.flickr.com/28/41084088_f2cb34b740_b.jpg

I like the Couple overcome by the the quaility streetscaper, they have no choice but to make love there and then!

:lol:

He doesn't seem too keen judging by the body language!

:banana2: ?

^^ :lol: Thanks Sim for the pictures. After Christmas I'll go wild with pictures so everyone might want to upgrade your internet speeds before the 25th December!

I love Birmingham's town hall. I voted for Glasgow though.

A selection of a few of the office buildings under construction in the Brown street corridor (CBD). This is a seperate area to the rapidly expanding spiningfields office district. All of these are grade A office accomodation.

13 storeys 102,00sqft
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/481245MosleyStreet_pic1.jpg

15 storeys
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/ad.jpg

8 Storeys
http://www.cobbetts.co.uk/onthemove/images/manchester_main_img.jpg

10 storeys
http://www.pettifernews.co.uk/downloads/mosley_street.jpg

13 storeys
http://www.savills.co.uk/assets/112588/gallery1.jpg

9 storeys 114,000sqft
http://www.aedas.com/siteadmin/images/projects/230_fullsize_1.jpg

8 Storeys 104,000sqft
http://www.metronews.co.uk/ContentResources/C_52_Article_2352_BodyText_TextSection0_Image.jpg

There are a few others which I can't remember and things like this, which are under development:

16 storeys, 60,000sqft
http://www.ajplus.co.uk/Images/Articles/030806_StephenB_3big.jpg

So this central corridor will be much improved at street level in the next couple of years.

Very nice but this is a great thread and can we try and just keep it about 'Best Present Sreetscape'. Will be a shame if this turns into the usual wankfest about whos getting the most grade A office space etc, etc. Maybe a 'city centre developments' thread or something similar would be a more suitable place?

http://www.citypointleeds.co.uk/images/index_r2_c3.jpg
City Point

http://images.activehotels.com/photos/103431/AAB103431.jpg
Metropole

http://static.flickr.com/71/155584493_49cefe0edf_m.jpg
East Parade Corner

http://www.ukuug.org/events/linux2004/leeds/guide_70.jpg
Lands Lane

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/caroline.mathews/FL5261_18Jan03.jpg
The Headrow

http://k43.pbase.com/u42/bmcmorrow/small/34195566.leeds061.jpg
Boar Lane

http://www.*******************/civic_hall_and_more_march_2003/source/image/img_0864.jpg Park Row

http://www.no-ordinary-city.co.uk/images/370x245_citysquare9.jpg City Square North Side- No.1 Park Row, No.1 City Square and the Old Post Office

Not saying these are great, or indeed passable pictures, but they are at least streetscapes, mostly.

Birmingham
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0239.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0379.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0401.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0241.jpg

Manchester
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0358.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0360.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0346.jpg
sorry!

Sheffield
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0442.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0449.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0460.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0486.jpg

Leeds
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0575.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0616.jpg

Liverpool
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0658.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0705.jpg

What an odd selection of pictures, no.1.
But well done for finding an image of Boar Lane, perhaps Leeds' best streetscape.

http://k43.pbase.com/u42/bmcmorrow/small/34195566.leeds061.jpg

Here are some poor quality photos from 1999.


http://www.leodis.net/imagesLeodis/screen/40/10240.jpg


http://www.leodis.net/imagesLeodis/screen/84/10184.jpg


http://www.leodis.net/imagesLeodis/screen/41/10241.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0616.jpg

AND PEOPLE ARE SAYING BIRMINGHAM CENTRAL LIBRARY IS BAD! :bash:

Some of the scenes from Birmingham are terrible Stephen. Your pictures are great but the spots chosen are not so.

AND PEOPLE ARE SAYING BIRMINGHAM CENTRAL LIBRARY IS BAD! :bash:

It's the old Bank of England, it's clad in polished granite, and it looks fab.

http://www.leodis.net/imagesLeodis/screen/25/2002227_76714725.jpg

From a distance it looks just as bad as the Central Library. If someone posted an up-close and personal image then I may be prepared to change my mind!

AND PEOPLE ARE SAYING BIRMINGHAM CENTRAL LIBRARY IS BAD! :bash:

Some of the scenes from Birmingham are terrible Stephen. Your pictures are great but the spots chosen are not so.

But that's what the citys look like!

As for:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/HPIM0616.jpg

You've got a victorian next to a Georgian (possibly) next to a 70s Brutalist in an interesting form, next to a modern glass building, Ok so the compostion of the image may be a bit off, but that's a great collection of buildings, it shows the city has grown through out the ages!

It's the old Bank of England, it's clad in polished granite, and it looks fab.

http://www.leodis.net/imagesLeodis/screen/25/2002227_76714725.jpg

And besides the next time somesays that the Birmingham Central Libray is the only inverted Concreate Zygorat, you can correct them!

And that dosn't half look like a Travel West Midlands Blue and Silver bus going past it!

Glasgow looks ace, though I've only ever driven through there. Still not been to Leeds or Liverpool properly, so I won't vote.

Here's some pics of Brum I took a while ago though... pretty much all I can contribute to this discussion.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Blunther/Img0030.jpg

Booooootiful :)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Blunther/Img0031.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Blunther/Img0071.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Blunther/Img0076.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Blunther/Img0069.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Blunther/Img0060.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Blunther/Img0038.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Blunther/Img0040.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Blunther/Img0042.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Blunther/Img0046.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Blunther/Img0048.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Blunther/Img0052.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Blunther/Img0053.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Blunther/Img0054.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Blunther/Img0055.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Blunther/Img0056.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Blunther/Img0057.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Blunther/Img0078.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Blunther/Img0087.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Blunther/Img0088.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Blunther/Img0103.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Blunther/Img0107.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Blunther/Img0108.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Blunther/Img0109.jpg

And have a bonus picture of Bearwood :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Blunther/Img0112.jpg

And have a bonus picture of Bearwood :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Blunther/Img0112.jpg

COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love that place.

^^What's so good about Bearwood?

^^What's so good about Bearwood?

I can't even begin to answer that. Nevertheless, have a picture of the LEGENDARY Bear!

http://i15.tinypic.com/2l92ufo.jpg

No, Really. What IS so good about bearwood?

^^Just a small matter of El Paulo's roots...

Fair Enough.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Blunther/Img0031.jpg
Is that the old Bank of England in Leeds?

I just love those water features they have there. Well, ponds, I dunno what you call them, lakes?

And the only time I went up Bearwood high street the only impression it made on me was the freakishly high number of Charity shops.

I have to admire some of you guys took some really terrible street level pic's of Brum, But you were fair enough to show the lovley one's too, so its both tacky & beautiful in Brum just depends where you walk...... On street scape level i think Glasgow is the best because its consistant & in harmony, Love Edingburgh and can view the dark old town as atmospheric and gothic if some view it as just dark & depressing.

For me the best street scape level would have to be most consistant and wherever you walk keeps you in that kind of time warp or whatever it is that keeps it so much together. So it leads me to say whats the most Vibrant street scape too? A wicked ingrediant that cant be done without.

Has anyone got pics of Bristol at street level? havn't seen Bristol yet, somebody give it a shout yea? great music vibrant city like Manchester its well worth a shout. C'mon Bristol :cheers:

^^Just a small matter of El Paulo's roots...

Fair Enough.

Oh, it's much more than that Erebus!!! It's a magical and mystical place...

It's where dimensions collide, it's where dreams become reality, it's where contradictions exist in happy balance, it's the home of the Bearwood mafia...


...and it's where Julie Walters was born!!!

Blunther can also help us out here!

I'm sorry, but from an outsiders point of view, Birmingham just has to get rid of most of those 60/70's ground scrapers.. Why aren't there plans to replace that stodgy grey conrete with vibrant glassy buildings which would do wonders for the streetscape. Your city looks like it has come a long way with the canal developments, squares, retail pavillions, but more needs to be done. Its important to halt the abhorant behavior of those avoricious, repacious and fool-hardy developers who would rather maintain the status quo and cement those so-called classical 60's buildings into the future cityscape. It is vital that, in order to repudiate all signs of street destroying 1960's vileness, that the central library be consigned to the history books once and for all!!

There are plans. A massive area near Martineau Place which is 60s and 70s tat is set for demolition and will be replaced with a new shopping area called Martineau Galleries. It will also have a 110 metre tower :)

Big Top - we dont think there are any plans for that but they will appear one day.

Central Library and Paradise Forums did get permission from the government few demolition and an international design competition is underway for the replacement library at a new site in Centenary Square though the circumstances which this competition has come around have been somewhat controversial. Very early plans show two skyscrapers to replace the library and surrounding area.

So dont think nothing's going on because there isnt a wrecking ball everywhere you look :)

For me the best street scape level would have to be most consistant and wherever you walk keeps you in that kind of time warp or whatever it is that keeps it so much together. So it leads me to say whats the most Vibrant street scape too? A wicked ingrediant that cant be done without.




I would disagree with you about that. Obviously some consistancy in areas of the city is nice but I want no know whats round the next corner. I want to be surprised by something. I don't want to go, oh another pleasent but not spectacular Victorain midrise.

Some more at night:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Lighthousedarker.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Umbrella.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Bigstreet.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Glare.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Buchbin.jpg


A different kind of streetscape - undeniably impressive:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Charing4.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Charing3.jpg


These 5 by Russell Davies:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/93d8d5ee.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/6378.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/974465465.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/56524.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/100_3231copy.jpg


These 2 by Glagow:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Picture013.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Picture017.jpg

Absolutely stunning!
Especially the ones of the bustling main streets.

Manchesters 'grand canyon' street district


Whitworth St

If you want canyons Glasgow city centre is your place.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/google2.jpg

its funny how most of the street scenes are at night. are our british cities that bad lol

I think there are some great street scapes in the UK, Manchester had a great street scape though a bit overcrowded for my personal taste with the odd area / building a bit run down (though not enough of it to give a dirty appearance), Liverpool could have a better one than Manchester though most buildings are very dirty IMO though it does have a nice civic space around st georges hall, Birmingham was a bit too open though had great civic spaces and the buildings were clean, Leeds was like Manchester in that there were a few areas that brought the rest of it down though only by a bit. Glasgow has a great streetscape though there is no escape from the endless 'canyons' as someone called them, and some of the buildings are dirty (though not enough to make it unattractive), for my own city Cardiff it has a great streetscape in that the buildings are clean, has great civic spaces though the center doesnt have the 'big city' feel according to others and the main gaterway (the train station / central square) is in need of regeneration.

it is all the 60s' public realm that lets birmingham's streetscape down.. they sorted many of the buildigns but left the soft configurations of open space.

As this threads been ressurected, I'll post some Sheffield pics. :)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/44/141080009_b6a88137ee_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tgigreeny/141080009/)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/153/418133336_9d33702114.jpg?v=0 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlesaint/418133336/)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/140/360568236_7613eee23b.jpg?v=0v (http://www.flickr.com/photos/48651817@N00/360568236/)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/217/516942388_52f033883b.jpg?v=0 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/83955800@N00/516942388/)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y257/Steelcityrise/IMG_5716.jpg (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=13563974&postcount=590)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/191/503175132_93ed501aec.jpg?v=0 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hippie/503175132/)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/25/52254662_d8ee02cba9.jpg?v=0 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/clydehouse/52254662/)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/155/366363777_aafd6b6790.jpg?v=0 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mounsey/366363777/)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/98/257165976_6c43a399f3.jpg?v=0 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucasdigital/257165976/)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/44/161870259_ea2be1646e.jpg?v=0 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jason_newton/161870259/)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/116/285611679_ac769fdbcf.jpg?v=0 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sheffdave/285611679/)

Not very comprehensive, but they're some nice pics. Cheers to the prople i've nicked them off, i've linked to where they're at. :)

Obviously not all the centre is as nice as this, but hopefully it'll all get updated soon. The public realm of the Moor will get a complete overhaul, the NRQ will again give the public realm of the area an overhaul. Hopefully both will be of as good a standard as the rest. Devonshire green is starting a refur, and Leopold Square is due to open this summer, which should continue the high quality squares (and will be surrounded with beutiful period buildings). The whole area down Castlegate is due to get a complete revamp with the demolition of the Markets, and a new square being built in their place, which will incorporate the castle remains. The council also wants to create a bit of a 'green route' down to the castlegate area which would involve overhauling the current public realm up to the standard of the core andd things such as grass between the trams tracks and trees n' stuff.

stop apologising for the scruffy parts.. the greatest cities are always a work in progress. The notion that one day all our downtowns will be 'finished' is a nonesense.

Great pics.. nice sense of enclosure in lots of those scenes.

Lol, yeah, but the scruffy parts i'm talking about (the Moor and Castlegate) are REALLY scruffy, as in I don't even bother venturing down them. But yes, the best cities are the ones that are constantly evolving. It seems to bring extra life to them.

And i'm afrad the pics arent mine, they're off flickr (bar a couple by Lewiskinner and Skyfitsboy).

well it is a nice collection you have stolen! :lol:

those picture look gorgeous. much more green than leeds. I love the buildings in sheffield. nice pics!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/IsaacNewell/steven.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/IsaacNewell/power.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/IsaacNewell/one.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/IsaacNewell/board.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/IsaacNewell/bee.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/IsaacNewell/law.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/IsaacNewell/hall.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/IsaacNewell/north.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/IsaacNewell/park.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/IsaacNewell/taxi.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/IsaacNewell/car.jpg

I've said before, that Manchester's streetscape is much better than the other English cities (yes, including Liverpool!) ... but Glasgow Smiles better!

The new develpments have helped to knit the city centre back together extremely well and this should continue. Where it has renewed it has reinstated the important building line.. even when they have neglected height.. nice sense of continuity and enclosure in many districts now. I have also mentioned that years ago when using Victoria it was like crossing a fucking desert to get anywhere!

not too keen on them pics of manchester tho. Im sure u can come up with better pics, mancs has some great streetscapes, like round canal in the summer etc

I like them, but picture No5 is a bad one for streetscape (I don't mean the composition).. that is the place where you get mugged!

here's part of the gay quarter in leeds

http://queens-court.co.uk/Photos/court300-DSCF0808.jpg

http://queens-court.co.uk/Photos/court1/court1.jpg

http://queens-court.co.uk/Photos/HPIM0226.JPG

Aye Glasgow's pretty mint.

These sign posts swivel quite easily, if you're ever in manc don't trust em!

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/206/522129948_88df613510_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/219/523553049_f4d20df3c4_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/195/492804117_57c1099c5b_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/223/492908628_86ae1b89a9.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/150/435481700_c0f790543f_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/452901393_797b066e22_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/176/460305878_68fa474b77.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/142/367392932_c837c09f0e_o.jpg

Isaac's photos are what Manchester is. And that's pretty good, for the reasons Tony says. It will never be beautiful, but it works better and better as a city. Approximate grid pattern, densely filled with substantial buildings, sensible, easily navigable topography, not too many confusing, street blocking, indoor shopping centres, urban freeways and other anti-urban artifacts. Manchester had many gaps in its downtown fabric until recently, but these are filling up with buildings and they're placed appropriately in the city's central street plan, New York style. They've got a few things right there.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/206/522129948_88df613510_o.jpg


I love this kind of places!

Lol. Can I just ask what the 'potato' sign is about?

Manchester has amazing streetscapes. I feel it's very similar to Glasgow in layout and with all the old (substantial as awayo said) period buildings. My only quibble is that it''s quite car dominated which although it probably means the city 'works' (and gives it life) it makes it a bit less pleasent for the pedestrians.

Me and London have issues. However I used to love drinking outside the SW3 bar in Brixton, beneath the railway arches. Looks a bit like the Castlefield photo above.

Leeds Streetscapes :-

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/leeds-selection/24890245_ff420f1973_b.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/leeds-selection/31234331_9a4bc49be9_b.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/leeds-selection/31234332_e3a0c61c78_b.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/leeds-selection/am10.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/leeds-selection/bike_riding5.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/leeds-selection/bike_riding9.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/leeds-selection/BWP2033.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/leeds-selection/CLARENCE_WIDE2.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/leeds-selection/cornexchange.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/leeds-selection/hands.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/leeds-selection/leeds_4.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/leeds-selection/leeds_2.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/leeds-selection/LeedsPics004.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/leeds-selection/river.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/leeds-selection/Victoria_Bridge.jpg

Fucking hell awayo.. you've reminded me of one of the depressing mantras I used to repeat when trying to get our planners to think a litle differntly through the 90s'... I used to say that the main differnce between current Liverpool and Manchester was that they where now rebuilding a city whilst we were still fucking round with 'planning schemes'.. the approach is fundamentally different. One leads to the gradual revival of a proper city landscape, an approximate grid as you describe.. the othe may get 'investment' but it is all solo, isolated schemes that do not relate to the district and wider city.. in fact they usually still adhere to old anti city dogmas. Mancs been (largely) doing it right for ages. It was 'depressing' for me, because at the time I may as well of been talking to the wall!

Thankfully that has changed somewhat now in Liverpool, just in time for some big schemes, which would have fucked the city if the thinking had not evolved.... remember the recent schemes for Chevasse park and Kings dock? Imagine if they had gone through!!!!

Possibly the one potential advantage we have is that if Liverpool continues to go the right way (like drop the WHS and the anti tall building mania) Liverpool could be spectacular..... ALL of our cities have got 'good bones' on which to build, with regards to this type of stuff, whether or not they do it is, sadly, another matter!

Brilliant pics Wiggleyleeds. I really envy Leeds for all the old buildings it has. You got any pics of the civic centre (during the day, as i think the 6th pic is it?). It's a damn classy building.

There's some nice pics of the Georgian area of Liverpool here:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=13622893&postcount=146

That's not you in the second to last one is it Wiggly? I was going to say, a fantastic scene, spoilt by ugly gobshites - look at that chain! Of course, if it is you...er, what a nice loking fellow and two cracking ladies!

haha :P cheeky sod.

i think leeds lacks the grid streetscne that manchester has, and whoever said that about each grid in mancs slowly getting developed and more full i think thats spot on, it has that industrial chicago look, mixed with spankin new designs too.

Leeds streets seem to look very similar to liverpool. sheffield looks more pretty and green. and mancs looks more city like. bham, im not too sure, but i think collosal range of 60s buildings dont help

Lol. Can I just ask what the 'potato' sign is about?

New development, potato wharf, designed by one of my fav architects. :cheers:

http://www.manchesterconfidential.com/property/images/20070416potatopage2.jpg

http://www.manchesterconfidential.com/property/images/20070416potatopage1.jpg

Ah, fair enough. Seems a bit of an odd name, but i'm guessing it's historical.

I think you're pretty right there wiggleyleeds (apart from I think Birmingham has some really great streetscenes, and there's nothing like that much ugly 60's stuff). It's quite surprising you think Sheffield looks pretty, seeing as we have a huge lack of historic buildings (what with wars and 60's planners). But at least it means they're doing a good job of making a feaute of the few that we have. Sheffield currently lacks that 'big city' feel, but I feel it's slowly changing. Theres a lot of density that needs to be built up.

Waterscape
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/IsaacNewell/roch.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/IsaacNewell/irwell-1.jpg

This piece of crap is a real opportunity missed, instead of ending abruptly at a set of steps it should gently slope into the square.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/IsaacNewell/cathst.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/IsaacNewell/CORN.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/IsaacNewell/change.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/IsaacNewell/town.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v371/IsaacNewell/PRIN.jpg

haha :P cheeky sod.

i think leeds lacks the grid streetscne that manchester has, and whoever said that about each grid in mancs slowly getting developed and more full i think thats spot on, it has that industrial chicago look, mixed with spankin new designs too.

Leeds streets seem to look very similar to liverpool. sheffield looks more pretty and green. and mancs looks more city like. bham, im not too sure, but i think collosal range of 60s buildings dont help

It is.. Leeds, like Liverpool is still dressing its streets for traffic circulation in exactly the same way they would in a suburban retail park.. you can see it in that fine pic of the night scene taken from the roof.. all wiggly pavements that dictate the psyche of the urban morphology, even though the streets themselves are straight and urban. One thing that Liverpool has dropped which it seems Leeds still largely hasn't is the use of balnk walls facing onto the street.. crack those two, encourage proper infill that respects urban principles of frontage and building line and Leeds will work as good as any city.... as I said, all of our cities have good bones.

Though Manc hasn't got it all right.. they missed a wonderful opportunity in Isaacs pic below to enable some real activity and life at ground level in pic No2

wat do u mean the use of blank walls facing onto a street i dont get wot u mean

that 5th pic of manc, the sqaure type thing is great

Simply using a blank wall all along a street wiggly. You know, like a multi storey carpark.. no shops, windows or doors taking the buildings use out onto the pavement at ground floor? Malls that only have shops facing onto the internal gallery spaces are a good example, sort of.. if you go around many there is nothing on the outside.

It was often used as a symbolic device in the 60s', to highlight how the 'street' was no longer the prime organisational structure of the city... that the building and its internal circulation did not have to slavishly respond to the street (the street being seen as the symbol of the old, nasty city) ...usually meaning main access was via an underground carpark! It just sort of continued through the 70s' and 80s' when the ideology was dropped. This is why you see lots of these types of things in 60s' developments... and why traffic planners in particular are considered to be bastards in cities!

I actually can't think of one example of that in Leeds. I really can't? Ill completely accept it if you can give an example but... all the car parks are above shopping centre, or underground, allowing retail on the streetscape.

i was just trying to think of examples of that in leeds. I cant think of any to hand. In the city centre, any buildings facing streets will inheritly open up the street level space as it is prime retail space.

Brilliant pics Wiggleyleeds. I really envy Leeds for all the old buildings it has. You got any pics of the civic centre (during the day, as i think the 6th pic is it?). It's a damn classy building.

No that one in picture 6 is the old post office, im presuming you mean this one which is in City square:

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u85/jinky-org/citysquare3.jpg

This is the civic hall which is in Millenium square:

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u85/jinky-org/civichallinit.jpg

Oh sorry, I couldn't tell in the dark. ;) But yeah, that's the one I mean. It's brilliant. The two gold clocks look like they should be on the wall in some stately home, except enlarged.

millenium square with the cafe bars outside
http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/streetlevel/1.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/streetlevel/2.jpg

i took this pic myself on my cam phone :D
http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/streetlevel/3.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/streetlevel/4.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/streetlevel/5.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/streetlevel/6.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/streetlevel/7.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/streetlevel/8.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/streetlevel/9.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/streetlevel/a.jpg

thats my mum lol
http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/streetlevel/b.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/streetlevel/c.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/streetlevel/d.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/streetlevel/e.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/streetlevel/f.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/streetlevel/g.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/streetlevel/h.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/streetlevel/i.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/streetlevel/j.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/streetlevel/k.jpg

http://www.asuz39.dsl.pipex.com/streetlevel/l.jpg

There have been some great pictures of Leeds posted here - awesome stuff - thanks for posting them as Leeds doesn't get enough coverage for it's streetscape. It's so varied and well made, I really like the contrasts and the overall look.

Thanks for the Manc shots too - always impressive.

------

A couple more of Glasgow I took 2 days ago : Cafe Culture in the city centre:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Buch1-1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Buch2-1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Buch3-1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Buch4-1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Royal1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Royal2.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Royal3.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Royal4.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Royal5.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Arg.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/geor1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/It1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/Merch1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/cot.jpg


The St Enoch Shopping centre - it's so big it's kind of got it's own street scape :)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/St1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/St3.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/the_boy_david/St2.jpg

Thanks for those marvelous pictures of Glasgow Boy David. Glasgow looks stunning; I think Glasgow and Liverpool (Glasgow edges it though) beat the other cities hands down.

A small sample of Liverpool...

http://www.urbanpictorial.co.uk/liverpool/images/Liverpool%20Business%20District.jpg

http://www.urbanpictorial.co.uk/liverpool/images/Liverpool%20Cultural%20Quarter.jpg

http://www.urbanpictorial.co.uk/liverpool/images/Liverpool%20Albert%20Dock%20and%20Pier%20Head.jpg

http://www.urbanpictorial.co.uk/liverpool/images/Liverpool%20Georgian%20%26%20Victorian%20Houses.jpg

http://www.urbanpictorial.co.uk/liverpool/images/Liverpool%20Old%20Business%20District.jpg

http://www.urbanpictorial.co.uk/liverpool/images/Liverpool%20St%20George%27s%20Hall.jpg

http://www.urbanpictorial.co.uk/liverpool/images/Liverpool%20Walker%20Art%20Gallery.jpg

Thanks for those marvelous pictures of Glasgow Boy David. Glasgow looks stunning; I think Glasgow and Liverpool (Glasgow edges it though) beat the other cities hands down.

Really? Glasgow maybe, but I think (atleast from images, cause it's ages since i've been to Liverpool) Leeds and Manchester can match Liverpool.

Yes I agree, I didnt really want to sa it though. Glasgow has a good streetscene, but Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds are all relitavely equal.

'Blank Wall syndrome'

I will set you a little task now.. which anybody else can join in. Perhaps you are thinking of the wrong streets. I don't think any frontage on the main shopping street would be given over to a blank wal... but plenty of side streets in these areas would have been nice little streets, until they where relagated by bad planning thinking into 'side streets' Take a fresh look at these streets and see what influences your impression of them.. it may be a blank wall killing any activity on it? I would also look more to the near approaches, rather than right in the middle of the main retail zone.. there is a good chance though, that you will find a few blank frontages in the CBD. Also take a fresh look at some of the 60s' developments in the inner core... and look again at the impact of some of your multi storey carparks have on each street it is built on? The uni campus is usually a good place to see plenty of these as well!

When you next visit your city centre with your camera, keep half an eye out for the 'blank wall syndrome'.. I bet you spot a few.. part of the problem is that they condemn a place to such utter anonymity.. like rubbish, you end up not even noticing them any more as you rush past.. they have become part of the 'non-city' landscape ... try it?.. and take some pics. It is an interesting experiment that shows just how much design and planning notions dictate your impression of a place.. quite subtle, but the damage is usually fundamental. For example, Liverpools relatively small one way system, when implemented condemned dozens of small though vibrant streets in the Dale St Tithebarn St area into being nothing more than side alleys. Looking for blank walls and other design considerations that kill activity at street level or stop useage of the street frontage is a good, basic introduction of some of the worst (and best) of urban planning policy since WWII.

Fantastic pics of Leeds and Glasgow there.

Well with Leeds, there wasn't really any massive 60s development; The Merrion doesnt have a "blank wall" syndrome as you describe; all the other 60s developments have been reclad since and I dont think ever did suffer. Actually there is one place where theres nothing, which is New Station Street before the Interchange. But nothing could go there anyway; railway lines and platforms in the way. Most of the edge of the CBD has been developed like Clarence Dock, The Gateway, Whitehall Road- and they all have ground floor retail units and that, even if theyre not all occupied. Im no denying your principle but I genuinely cannot think of any examples. Really, I cant. If you can, do say and Ill accept it but I cant think of any. Leeds retains most of its original buildings remember- not been any particular mass demolitions, wasnt heavily damaged by bombs in the wars...

Unfortunatley that's quite common with a lot of buildings built in Sheffield just before the current 'boom'. :ohno:

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/6848/cncloffvi7.jpg

These council offices were built in about 2000, and have no ground floor interaction with the street. Its a real shame as next to them a new square with retail/resteraunts all round the ground floor is being built. Now there's gonna be no continuity from the square to the next street.

There's also a 'science park' which was built in the 90's on the main route from the station to the 'heart of the city'. Again there's no street level interaction, and so it a chance lost as it would be an ideal route for shops & cafes.

The really annoying thing is that fair enough it can't be helped with some old buildings, but these are newish buildings (to new to demolish too). :ohno:

These'uns taken and posted by sjmoore, on the Liverpool subforum yesterday (cheers Moorsey!) might show a side to central Liverpool unfamiliar to some:

http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/2709/imag0026je9.jpg

http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/2092/imag0014ly6.jpg

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/1641/imag0015fv8.jpg



http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/1682/imag0017sb8.jpg

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/4849/imag0018eg9.jpg

http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/9345/imag0019yd8.jpg

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/4903/imag0020or8.jpg

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/5671/imag0021pu2.jpg

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/6106/imag0022wc5.jpg

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/4261/imag0023sn5.jpg

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/1319/imag0024pm1.jpg

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/3117/imag0025ny4.jpg

Few more of Glasgow

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/537207353_1f04bbc283.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/499999944_3a77ea6a34.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/474362658_22ee45d8a3.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/443019975_d259413932.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/411953192_32ff04144b.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/406202098_120030a1fe.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/398380869_3ba4a1e34f.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/398380352_9f757f8496.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/391374105_933090a077.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/384998298_a786d9f4da.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/384997947_2fb13ff306.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/384994736_1a9f2e1a5a.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/379777590_2a6f1f34d2.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/377853459_85b1ad49dc.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/369041173_8cffe7fefe.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/363906140_e294de1684.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/342198816_71230762ab.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/289011772_4d4a7bdc42.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/271082906_7a1d54c0bc.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/253660806_ee5af1a341.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/250764095_5f93a0bea5.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/219259165_5ab5d5dfb6.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/197379081_58dfc3435a.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/148646605_7f04e38503.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/102729265_f0e1cd8f27.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/79440900_09c2795579.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/59472611_2b04cbe29b.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/32308409_c496cd68ea.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/100621877_42fde14144.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/6003650_31a04928a6.jpg

Well with Leeds, there wasn't really any massive 60s development; The Merrion doesnt have a "blank wall" syndrome as you describe; all the other 60s developments have been reclad since and I dont think ever did suffer. Actually there is one place where theres nothing, which is New Station Street before the Interchange. But nothing could go there anyway; railway lines and platforms in the way. Most of the edge of the CBD has been developed like Clarence Dock, The Gateway, Whitehall Road- and they all have ground floor retail units and that, even if theyre not all occupied. Im no denying your principle but I genuinely cannot think of any examples. Really, I cant. If you can, do say and Ill accept it but I cant think of any. Leeds retains most of its original buildings remember- not been any particular mass demolitions, wasnt heavily damaged by bombs in the wars...

Look harder.. you WILL find some! Don't do it from memory, just look out next time you are out and about.. look at things slightly differently?

Good example put up by Paul there below.. would have been even 'better' if the corner entrance had been placed around the back to be accessed by carpark users, as you often get with 80s' variations.

There is a bingo hall up in Huyton Village, not far from where I live. Desperately poor district.. BINGO!, hardly the pursuit of the chaufered classes ... lots of public transport passing on the main rd that 99% of the places users use to get there.. but! The entrance to the building is around the back, to facilitate the easy entrance of the few carborne visitors that use the surface car park... obviously, also round the back.. leaving a really shitty industrial unit type brick wall that faaces the whole length of the street.

but I cant think of any. Leeds retains most of its original buildings remember- not been any particular mass demolitions, wasnt heavily damaged by bombs in the wars...


i cant think of any either but i think thats the whole point, you wont notice from memory. But, an example is say think of all the tiny side streets of most UK city centres. They are voids with no life and have nothing at street level with sometimes just walls. Now think of southern european cities. All the tiny side streets are dotted with life from small newsagents, to tabbaconists, to little authentic cafes, to restaurants, and bric a brack shops, the whole small street teaming with life, and all above are appartments where people live, its almost like a micro community on every side street. Manchester comes to my memory (being larger and on a grid - its easier to end up cutting thru side streets), the side streets are 5 or 6 storeys high but the ground level is all closed off, and the streets are quite scarey, especially on an evening, as you cross thru briskly to get to the next main road where there are people.

I dont really think that is the case in Leeds though. Thinking off all the little inns off Briggate- theyre teeming with little restaurants, cafes etc. Angel nn, Whitelocks... and then Cafe Rouge behind the CornX and places like Room filling little courtyards etc. I can think of one example- between The Light and The Cube. But, nothing could go there anyway- Tiger Tiger and the Hard Rock Cafe take up the room right up to the walls. Hanalee tries to make the most of the space. So efforts are taken where possible here.

also, fantastic pics of glasgow. Wow! It looks so cosmopolitan, with diferent peoples, and lovely cafe culture. I honestly didnt know glasgow was like that at all. I envisaged real grot, poverty, and a very white working class city for want of a better phrase. The streets look so similar to leeds, especially the main shopping streets - almost identical, and the cafe bars looks similar too.

Some of leeds lot will have to go take some street scene pics, because there isnt any pics

Yes it is like Leeds, but while the Buchanan Galleries are good, the St. Enoch Centre is far too big for its own good.

Once you know where they are you can try and do something about them, or at least highlight that that form of building is innapropriate in teh centre of a city (or elsewhere actually)

Another god example from Liverpool was the Royal Sun Allience building (the sandcastle so many of you say is shit when pics of Liverpool skyline from the waterfront are posted?) the frontage onto Old Hall St was just the huge wall of the underground car park. They concedde that some people would wish to gain access to the building from Old Hall St so they built some shitty stairs at the end of the complex that where dangerous and piss stinking within 6 months of it opening adn a dark alley to get you from Old HAll St to the Echo building next door. The main, lovely entrance was reserved for those coming into the car park! This was completely changed with the addition of a nice little glass atrium that made the most important access onto the street. It is gtreat now, and has played a really important part in generating activity and bringing Old HAll St back to life. Another is on leaving Lime St satation.. all you can see is the arse end of St John's market.. completely kills the whole street till half way down Queen Sq. these are major thoroughfares.... and it was all planned deliberately.

A nice pic by Lewiskinner of cafe culture in Sheffield ;)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1185/537589393_71d7536e82_b.jpg

Wea'er reit continental 'eear in Sheffield.

Yes it is like Leeds, but while the Buchanan Galleries are good, the St. Enoch Centre is far too big for its own good.

Earlier this week work started on a £100million expansion of St. Enoch and redevelopment of existing facilities.

Also Buchanan Galleries may expand as it has just filed a planning aplication to double in size.

Glasgow again. Canals.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/12025994_4237c6662b.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/60487893_f991b6fecd.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/12027945_fc34d1752d.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/2347049_9c1ba0e495.jpg

New section of canal being built ( completed last year ).

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/60495752_27bb0e084f.jpg

Surely between Glasgow and Manchester.

Not really Manc Guy, Glasgow is much better than Manc in this respect.. about as far ahead as Manc is ahead of the other English cities.

Personally I'd go with the results, in about the same order and proportion.

I'd put Liverpool ahead of Manchester. Dont see whats so great about Manchester to be honest, no offence.

Edinburgh, the swines...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/edinburgh2f.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/edinburgh2.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/sc_016-Edinburgh-Architecture.jpg

strictly in the terms of streetscape, I would leave manc ahead of Liverpool. It is impressive the way the city is being restitched together.

By streetscape I don't mean nice buildings and stuff, but the way all the sites interlink, activity is manintained or provided at ground floor with new developments.. the way that this is helping to revive city blocks.

As I said, Liverpool has finally cottoned on to these basic principles now, so if investment and development continue I think Liverpool will overtake everyone,,,maybe even Glasgow as we have those top end buildings in numbers that most others don't.. BUT. in 2007 we have the situation where Liverpool has been doing 'city' for 3-4 years whilst Manchester has been doing it for over a decade..with much more development to play with.. way before the IRA bomb that way too many see as a defining moment in Manchester's turn around.

That arial shot you put up at the beginning of this thread shows just why Glasgow pisses on everthing else... the grid is just so extensive.. and all those streets are alive!

Stephen - I would go along with the first two, though the margin should be greater. I would put Liverpool's streetscape ahead of Leeds and Brum though.. where the urban block has been retained or revived Liverpool has that real big city feel to it.. just that there is not too much of it.. mainly because there are still large gaps, neglected streets and districts to get a grip with... though, we are getting there.

remember though kids.. we are only talking STREETSCAPE!

Glasgow for me! Few shots of Birmingham. Think its fair to say Brum is a bit different to the rest of the other large UK cities. It seems to have larger one of buildings plonked across the place with low rise industrial units and red brick buildings scattered on its edge in a quite a surburban way.

This more or less shows the mix of brum architecture all in 1 shot.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/197/457454636_6dea0567ab_b.jpg

The Alex needs to go :ohno:. That's a nice shot otherwise.

I think I'd go with the votes aswell, except i'd put Liverpool above Leeds and Brum.

Heres a couple more of Sheffield off flickr. I've tried to find places that you might not see so often. It's a bit of an adventure for me too, as I don't even reconise some of these. :lol:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/145/335225419_c12a4ea859.jpg?v=0 (http://flickr.com/photos/42293660@N00/335225419/)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/103/286776623_13ed0c8992.jpg?v=0 (http://flickr.com/photos/sheffdave/286776623/)
I've never even seen these buildings before, apart from the one in the background :lol::
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/58/198382570_e069faccf9.jpg?v=0 (http://flickr.com/photos/harryhalibut/198382570/)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/112/301811687_e87d856a97.jpg?v=0 (http://flickr.com/photos/sheffdave/301811687/)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/108/261018844_e5d7f44d7f.jpg?v=0 (http://flickr.com/photos/lucasdigital/261018844/)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/114/282586634_fcbc05a242.jpg?v=0
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/171/389228524_0535cb9109.jpg?v=0 (http://flickr.com/photos/sheffdave/389228524/)

Also in these, you can see the shocking state of our roads. :ohno:

Think its fair to say Brum is a bit different to the rest of the other large UK cities.

If you look at Birmingham city centre from the air its markedly different as you say. Manchester comprises a large number of fairly small buildings tightly packed whereas Birmingham has a huge buildings making up large areas of the city centre. Its astonishing when viewed from directly above.

Heres a litle comparison ( I haven't selected these pictures to highlight any major infrastructure etc just what appears to be the densest, most built up area of each city centre ).

Manchester

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/google1.jpg

Birmingham

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/TheeBoards/google3.jpg

Striking difference.

Wow. That really is quite a difference. Well spotted on that one.

^^You've got at least six shopping centres in that shot (plus a massive train station).

Beetham and GN aren't even on those pics!!