Overview

Upper Calder Valley


Upper Calder Valley, UK

Project type: Regional City & Town Strategy
Location: Upper Calder Valley, UK
Client: Yorkshire Forward, Calderdale Borough Council
Stage: Masterplan
Programme: 2003–2004

The Upper Calder Valley has five principle settlements; Walsden, Todmorden, Sowerby Bridge, Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge.

In the second half of the twentieth century, a decline in the textile industry resulted in these market towns suffering from neglect and failing local economies.

The Regional Development Agency, Yorkshire Forward, launched a Renaissance Market Towns programme to transform the region’s ‘rural capitals’ into sustainable places where people want and are able to live, work, invest and visit. The Upper Calder Valley was selected as the first Renaissance Market Towns project, presenting the complex challenge of generating a strategy for the transformation of an entire valley.

Project Delivery

  • A Vision developed through a Collaborative Placemaking process that engaged over 2,000 people, organisations and businesses.
  • A Vision that redefined the roles of the market towns by building upon the talents of the people and the quality of the built and natural environment to create a connected, creative, and sustainable valley.
  • A Valley Charter to identify common aims and create new links and alliances across the five settlements.
  • Investment and delivery plans produced by the Seven Valley Action Groups.
  • Seven Valley Action Group proposals for a number of physical transformation projects along the valley.
  • A valley masterplan that presented a long-term vision to ensure future investment was strategy-led rather than driven by short-term funding.
Project type: Regional City & Town Strategy
Location: Upper Calder Valley, UK
Client: Yorkshire Forward, Calderdale Borough Council
Stage: Masterplan
Programme: 2003–2004
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Project Team
Marcus Adams
Marcus Adams
Managing Partner
Joanna Allen
Joanna Allen
Partner
Charles Campion
Charles Campion
Partner
Debbie Radcliffe
Debbie Radcliffe
Consultant
Tags
Regeneration, Collaboration, Community Planning
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