He’s been instrumental in most of the major regeneration schemes in Manchester’s recent history but no-one has heard of him. He played a key role in reshaping the city centre after the terrorist bomb but shoppers and office workers take his work for granted. He’s found elegant solutions to many of the city’s latest engineering challenges but hates being called an engineer.

The Reluctant Engineer and other Manchester stories tells of Martin Stockley’s considerable contribution to his adopted city since his arrival in 1993.

I collaborated with Martin and graphic designer Alan Ward, interviewing and writing as well as making a set of new urban images. The quirky little book offers an alternative view of the city’s rebirth.

Published by Martin Stockley Associates, 2006
ISBN: 0-9552408-0-8, £15
80 pages, hardback