Date: 12.09.05
Source: Yorkshire Forward
In 10 years time, Wakefield will be a distinctive, vibrant city, the heart of the District’s economy. It will be a place for people with a strong emphasis on pedestrian priority and high quality public space. The public transport system will allow quick and convenient access to and around the city. Wakefield will be a thriving commercial centre presenting divers retail offer, modern office accommodation, and a range of quality residential opportunities and a mix of excellent leisure facilities.
Over the past few decades, Wakefield City has suffered through the decline of traditional mining, its negative effects on regional economy, which contributes greatly to radically reduced employment opportunities. Resulting low growth rates, resident population declines are visible in many areas of the city and, across the district. Road infrastructure constructions has disrupted the scale and continuity of historic building arrangements, removed many significant works of architecture and shattered the traditional patterns of the pedestrian movement and public space within the town, often isolating one area of the town from another, town centre from residential areas.
As one of the first six towns in the region to be designated as a Renaissance Town, Wakefield will move forward new, exiting developments. The historic conservation area known as Wakefield Waterfront will be shaped and transformed, to provide restored mills and warehouses, together with new building, creating a vibrant new area within an attractive waterfront setting. A landmark building of architectural quality will house work by two of the 20th century giants of British modern art, Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth. Projects within Wakefield’s Marsh Way area will provide not only a new market and shopping centre, but also a quality public square and a new civic library.
Wakefield will be a place attractive to live, learn, work and invest in and the heart of a district, where diverse towns and villages work together to promote their well being.
