History of a City: Coventry

Page 7 of 7

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Opening themes
• 3. The Industrial Revolution
• 4. Urban growth and industry
• 5. Redevelopment in the 20th century
• 6. Where to go next
• 7. The disappearing past
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The disappearing past

In any town or city, the old and the new stand next to each other. As towns and cities continually evolve and are developed, the old, sadly, often makes way for the new.

Much of the Victorian terraced housing in the city centre survived the bombing of 1940, only to be demolished afterwards to make way for the replanning of the city centre. Now only one street of Victorian terraces, Starley Road, remains within the ring road and only a long campaign by its residents prevented its demolition in the 1980s.

Much of the urban history we can see today will eventually be lost, so get out now and take advantage of it and explore the buildings of your town or city. Next time you walk to the shops, or to the bus stop, or to work, look up and around.

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Published: 2005-03-07