In the 19th century Manchester was the flagship for both commerce and social reform. Now the city is seen once more as leading the way in an urban renaissance not matched by anywhere else in Britain today. Manchester and its twin city Salford represent perhaps the most impressive case study for regeneration over the past two decades.

Manchester's city centre has seen a rapid growth in population from a low of just 300 in the 1980s to over 11,000 now. Old warehouses have become luxury residential developments and industrial decay has given way to a thriving art and leisure sector. Mark Jones, owner of local letting agents Manlets, observes that his company could scarcely have existed back in the 1980s. "The city centre was virtually depopulated back then. What we have seen is a remarkable transformation," he says. "Living in the city has become a popular choice for many professionals."

Indeed, you can even rent an apartment at The Haçienda - a residential development on the site of an old warehouse that became the world's most famous nightclub when Manchester's music scene took off in the late 1980s.

Salford has likewise shaken off its image as the "Dirty Old Town" of Ewan MacColl's famous song. Salford Quays, once a derelict and largely deserted area following the closure of the dockyard in 1982, is now a stunning commercial, residential and leisure success story. Rapidly growing alongside Salford Quays is the new Media City, a massive development that is set to become a leading hub for the digital and creative industries.

The architectural landscape of Manchester city centre and Salford has also changed dramatically. There is an understandable pride in many of the new buildings like Urbis, the Lowry, the Imperial War Museum of the North and the Beetham Tower, or the 'Hilton Tower' as it is commonly called. This is home to the Hilton Hotel as well as 219 luxury apartments and 16 penthouses; it is the highest building in Manchester and the tallest residential building in Europe.

Manchester's changing urban environment is a source of pride to many and reflects a new confidence in the city that was at the heart of the industrial revolution. Some local wags even report an improvement in the weather. Now, that would be a transformation!