The Modern British City 1945–2000 Book Launch
The Modern British City 1945–2000 Book Launch
Monday 26 January 2026 at 6.30pm
The Gallery, 70 Cowcross Street, London, EC1M 6EJ
The Modern British City, 1945–2000 is a new book charting the extraordinary changes that took place in British cities between the end of the Second World War and the early 21st century. Bringing together architectural, urban and social historians, it integrates histories of planning, deindustrialization, decolonisation, consumer capitalism and mobility to reveal a more diverse, contradictory and fluid city of the recent past.
Join editors Simon Gunn, Peter Mandler and Otto Saumarez Smith in conversation with contributor Holly Smith. The discussion will aim to touch on many aspects of this new urban history from gentrification to multiculturalism, shopping to night-life, high-rise living to homelessness. Copies of the book will be on sale.
Simon Gunn is Professor Emeritus of Urban History at the University of Leicester.
Peter Mandler is Professor Emeritus of Modern Cultural History at the University of Cambridge.
Otto Saumarez Smith teaches architectural history at the University of Warwick, and is also chair of the Twentieth Century Society’s Casework Committee.
Holly Smith is a historian of architecture and protest. She is a Fellow at St John’s College, University of Cambridge, and an advisor to Tower Blocks UK, an advocacy group for high-rise safety.
If you can't make it in person, there's an online version of the event too.
The book will be available for purchase at the event.
C20 Society Member £11;
Non-Member £16;
Young C20 member + guest Free*;
Student + guest £5 **
*For Young C20 members, please email lukas@c20society.org.uk to secure a place.
**For student pricing please select from the dropdown option next to ‘membership number’ on the booking form below.
Includes a glass of wine
Click here for our latest cancellation policy.
Note: This event is hybrid and is being run both in-person at Cowcross Street Gallery and online via Zoom. The event will be recorded and offered as a catch-up lecture for those who have booked and will be available for two weeks.
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Looking to support our campaigning? Donate to our casework Here.
The Twentieth Century Society is an IHBC (Institute of Historic Building conservation) recognised CPD provider.
The Twentieth Century Society is a registered charity, no 1110244
Image above: Kelvin Grove Flats, Scott, Dean, Neil and Gaudy the dog, Westmoreland Street, Sheffield, 1978. Photography by Peter Mitchell.