Europe’s next generation of architects come to Manchester

5th December 2008

Manchester, the world’s first industrial city, has secured a bid to host the 30th European Architecture Students Assembly (EASA) in 2010.  

The conference will take place over 14 days in August 2010, welcoming over 400 top European architecture students to the city. 

Visit Manchester’s conference team provided support for the successful bid, which was secured at a recent presentation to EASA during their annual meeting held in Cyprus.   

In a document written on behalf of EASA UK to explain why they chose Manchester, it stated, ‘Manchester was seen as a positively minded city’.  The text also explained that EASA felt that Manchester will embrace the chance to host their widely respected event in the UK for the first time in 15 years.   

Paul Simpson, managing director of Visit Manchester, the tourist board for Greater Manchester, said: “A lot of work has been put in to secure the EASA bid and I’m extremely pleased that it has paid off.  This is a great opportunity to highlight Manchester’s original modern ethos to some of the brightest students in architecture.

“Our support will now continue in the build up to the event, to ensure that they have an inspiring and enjoyable experience”.  

EASA takes place annually and each event takes on a unique theme.  The chosen theme for Manchester is ‘Identity’, taking into account Manchester’s industrial past and its consistently forward thinking approach.  Participating students will spend two intense weeks taking part in workshops, lectures and exhibitions.

Bid Co-ordinator Chris Maloney, said “The level of support shown by all parties in Manchester more than justified our belief in the city and eventually proved decisive in the success of the bid.  It is a great pleasure to be bringing this unique event to an equally unique city.”

“The event represents a huge opportunity for the architectural community of the country and we are looking forward to working closely with interested parties in delivering a hugely successful event for both Manchester and EASA”

Julian Stott, Development Executive at Ask Developments, adds: "We are delighted that Manchester has been chosen as the next host city for EASA in 2010 and have committed to help the organisation team make the event a huge success.  Our on going development of First Street Manchester offers the opportunity for EASA to use the former Moonfish building as their organisation headquarters, and we are working together to identify two further pieces of land for use as workshop space."

EASA is supported by Visit Manchester, the Manchester School of Architecture, the University of Salford, the Architects Journal, Ask Development and Marbella Creative Industries.