I have never been particularly interested in architecture before the people turn up. Those glossy spreads in architecture magazines of perfectly staged, empty buildings with a single blurred figure have rarely moved me. Craftsmanship is inspiring, but without inhabitation buildings and cities lack soul. Last week the fight for the soul of one particular city erupted again – a single carved piece of stone undermining decades of painstakingly constructed policy – and much as I want to I can’t look away.