View of the post-2001 Piccadilly Gardens, looking north towards the corner of Market St. On the right is the statue of Queen Victoria. On the left, the former Lewis's store, now Primark. After years of neglect by Manchester City Council, the old gardens were swept away in 1999 and replaced by a contemporary style design, which includes an area of flat lawn.

Only a few years after the new design was completed, the grass has stopped growing on much of the lawn area. The redevelopment of Piccadilly Gardens is one of the most disastrous pieces of urban redevelopment in the history of Manchester.

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This image is from the portfolio of Aidan O'Rourke photographer writer website publisher. Most images are copyright Aidan O'Rourke and may be available as prints or high resolution files. Some images are by other artists, and are published with their approval, or are included in reviews of their work.

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Keywords: Manchester Piccadily Gardens regeneration, environmental improvements Piccadilly Gardens, failed urban redevelopment projects, regeneration blight, Manchester city centre redevelopment, Manchester, Lancashire