Bradford is a city built on the milling industry, which, during the Industrial Revolution led to rapid growth. The diversity of people, place and culture in Bradford is a symbol of strength and great pride. It is a place of diversity, growth, and change, but it is not without its issues.

Third year students followed Bradford’s mission to not only make itself a green city but a healthy city. This meant designing changes that benefit communities for years to come and promoting sustainable interventions that work for people, place, and the environment.

The Shipley Canal Road Corridor is a site which links to each of Bradford Council’s priority urban regeneration areas, and as such, has the potential to make a significant contribution to the regeneration of the district. It is located within the main urban area of Bradford, stretching from the north part of the city centre to Shipley town centre. Canal Road itself is a major strategic route, linking areas within the Bradford District and beyond northwards into and out of the city, forming a gateway into Airedale and beyond.

Within this context students chose one of three areas along the canal corridor.

•The Old Post Office site occupies an important city centre location adjacent to Foster Square railway station. This site could become a very important gateway to Bradford.

•The Beck follows a linear green corridor of under-used recreational landscapes bordered by small industrial plots and residential communities, which are physically segregated by rail and road. This green corridor has great potential to diversify and enhance habitats and better provide for recreation.

•Shipley is an established neighbourhood with the potential to become a more sustainable and thriving area of Bradford District. Students have considered how with ideas for new residential areas, a vibrant and updated town centre, alongside connections to the World Heritage Site of Saltaire and new routes along the river Aire corridor.

These diverse and challenging sites looked at issues around wellbeing, climate adaptation, sustainable urban living, biodiversity, social cohesion and engagement, recreation, and culture.

Students have worked with Planning and Design teams at Bradford City Council, who have helped guide and critique their project.