Bradford’s recent regeneration projects have led to the city being named “UK Design Capital of the Year” at a prestigious national awards.
The Council’s current Reform leadership thanked “Council teams and partners who have worked so hard on this transformative project.”
And the Labour Group, which was in power when the works took place, said the award proves that the scheme was not a “vanity project” like many had claimed.
Bradford had been shortlisted alongside Cardiff, Plymouth and York for the award, which recognises cities leading the way in architecture, placemaking and regeneration.
It was in recognition of the pedestrianisation of much of Bradford city centre, which was completed last year.
The £45m project was funded by the Government, and first announced in 2020.
Part of Building Design’s long-running Architect of the Year Awards, the award “looks beyond individual buildings to celebrate communities where strategic ambition is shaping their built environment, from carefully crafted planning policies to bold urban interventions.”
The major work was delivered by Bradford Council in partnership with Balfour Beatty, Sweco and Gavin Jones Ltd.
It saw congested streets including Hall Ings, Bridge Street and Market Street pedestrianised, with the expanded Norfolk Gardens creating a new inner city park.
Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Economy, Regeneration and Planning Councillor Andrew Judson, said: “This latest award for the Bradford City Centre Walking and Cycling Improvement Scheme is a great credit to the Council teams and partners who have worked so hard on this transformative project.
“We’ve had incredible feedback from the public about the impact of the transformation. It is a huge honour to receive national recognition for the work, though the biggest reward is seeing more people enjoying our architecturally-stunning city centre.”
Judges praised Bradford’s “strategic ambition,” saying: “The design capital of the year celebrates the role of good design in city regeneration as this is central to the quality of place and that of the lives of people who live there.
“If you are feeling miserable, take a train to Bradford, walk into City Park, and leave feeling uplifted.
“Bradford took what was best conceptually from the original 2003 Alsop masterplan and turned it into something more grounded, simple and elegant with architecture appropriate to the context.
“The hallmarks of a successful design capital are a positive attitude and close collaboration of all the agencies involved including local authorities, development agencies and developers, community groups and architects.”
The Architect of the Year Awards, organised by Building Design, are the only architectural awards in the UK that recognise achievement across a body of work rather than a single project.
Following the victory, a post on the Bradford District Labour page said: “Reform’s deputy leader was at the ceremony in London to collect the award, just months after Reform condemned our vision as ‘vanity projects.’
“But the proof is in the outcomes.
“Footfall has grown. People are returning to the city centre. Visitors are coming from all over the country and all over the world.
“Regeneration began with Labour and must carry on in the city, and in our towns and villages.”
