MUD (Mixed-use Urban Development)

MUD (mixed-use urban development) looks at the many and varied ways in which life is coming back to the heart of British towns and cities, through the development of new homes and work-places, as well as cultural facilities and entertainments.

MUD reviews the reasons for the existence of brownfield sites, a number of which are heavily polluted, and analyses the way these urban sites can be returned to a state in which they can be used to create vibrant, varied and hospitable urban communities.

Victoria Thornton, curator of MUD: "Each case study in the exhibition explains the specific catalyst for the area's social and cultural revival and discusses methods of alleviating urban deprivation, whilst respecting the local population and environment. Manchester is one of the cities which has led the way in regenerating derelict canal areas and industrial buildings. As Lord Rogers says; "People are going back to live in Manchester. If we can do it in this city, why can't we do it in others?'"

Developments in the exhibition included: The Lowry at Salford by Michael Wilford & Partners; The Imperial War Museum-North at Trafford in Greater Manchester by Daniel Libeskind; Bristol Harbourside at Bristol with projects by Chris Wilkinson Architects and Michael Hopkins & Partners; Kop van Zuid in Rotterdam; and Greenwich Peninsular including the Millennium Dome by Richard Rogers Partnership.

Each of these show how they have provided a catalyst for reviving areas of urban deprivation whilst respecting both people and the environment and creating a social and cultural renaissance.