One of the world’s most celebrated and controversial architects, Will Alsop unveils his imaginary super city spanning from Liverpool to Hull at the Urbis Centre, Manchester today.

In the exhibition, Alsop explores the idea of a single city that stretches over 80 miles from Liverpool to Hull. The exhibition features various exhibits containing all the needs of a modern city.

The imaginary coast-to-coast city stretches along the M62 and includes huge self-contained villages reaching into the sky and a modern transport system that would blur present-day ideas of city limits.

A SuperCity spokesman said: “With advanced transportation systems in place the inhabitants of SuperCity could choose to live in Hull, commute to work in Liverpool, shop in Leeds and go clubbing in Manchester, all in a day."

“The exhibition will take its visitors on a visual and mental journey featuring large structures which constantly blur the line between imagination and reality."

“It pushes the boundaries of conventional thought, constantly drawing visitors into the exciting tension that exists between how cities exist today and how they could tomorrow.”

The exhibition includes models of how areas of SuperCity would look, including one of Barnsley, in Yorkshire, enclosed by a massive walkway. Another model, Stack, features a high rise village for 5,000 people. As a high density housing structure, Stack promotes a more sustainable way of living, showing how in the future we could have an alternative to the suburban sprawl that surrounds our cities today.

As futuristic as the dream city may seem, it has it's backers and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is the latest sponsor for SuperCity.

Amongst many events programmed to coincide with the exhibition, will be a one-day conference ‘Sustainability in the SuperCity: a dialogue for future living’. Held on Friday 18 March, 10 am – 4pm it will address the ideals embodied within a sustainable community, and whether in practice this is possible to achieve.

The SuperCity exhibition is open until May 15, Mon-Sun 10am-6pm at the Urbis Centre, Cathedral Gardens, Manchester M4 3BG tel: 0161 605 8200. Price: £5, concs £3.50.