Coventry after WW2

Coventry after the War. The phoenix rises

The cover of the Booklet

The City council, planners and church leaders were unanimous. The City should be developed after the devastation caused during the bombing of the City during WWII. Plans were drawn up which were to include the re-birth of the City into the technologically inclined, modern world that became the vogue in the post-war period.

Clearly the rebuilding of the Cathedral was central to those plans but the plans around the Cathedral were not the only elements of creativity and modernity that were to be evident in what was to become the new City of Coventry. Plans were made to fundamentally alter the city centre, build a new ring road and make areas around the city for modern living and commerce.

Many of these plans were made public in an exhibition and booklet, both created just after the war. You can see some of this booklet on these pages here.

The city was ascribed the eponymous name of "Phoenix" after its post war re-birth. Re-birth from the fire I suppose. In 1959 the Phoenix was added to the coat of arms of the city. Read about it here.