Reclaiming West Park

Year | 2024

Location | Hull, UK

Clients | Giroscope

Sheffield School of Architecture and Landscape and Giroscope collaborate to explore how West Park in Hull can be revitalised to enhance community links and build identity.

The Rethinking West Park Project is a collaborative initiative within the University of Sheffield's Live Projects program. Thisprogram gives master's students from Architecture, Landscape, and Architectural Design courses hands-on experience with real-world projects, enabling them to apply their skills in practical settings. In 2024, a team from this program partnered with Giroscope, a charity based in Hull, to explore ways to bring the objectives of the Newington Neighbourhood Plan to fruition within West Park and its surrounding areas.

This six-week project centers on developing proposals that address the community's needs, aiming to transform West Park into a more dynamic and welcoming space. The Newington Neighbourhood Plan, formulated alongside the Lonsdale Community Association and approved by a public referendum in November 2023, reflects a vision for sustainable and community-driven growth in the area.

Giroscope, founded in 1986, has been a key player in this planning process. As a housing-focused Workers' Co-operative, Giroscope specialises in repurposing vacant properties into affordable homes and community spaces, with a mission of fostering inclusivity and sustainable development within Hull. Their community-centered approach supports local enterprise and strengthens neighborhood connections.

The project has brought together several key stakeholders, including Hull City Council, the Stadium Management Company, Newington Matters (a legacy forum from the neighborhood planning process), and the local community. Together, these groups aim to redefine West Park as more than just a passage on match days, instead shaping it into a vibrant area that invites visitors to linger, interact, and fully engage with the surroundings.

Credits

Student Team: 

Paulina Moson, Harry Sale, Sophie Smart, Oi Yan Li, Ina Manafova, Maria Lisnic, William Lawrence, Chi-Jung Lee, Joshua Snow, Naajiyah Sultana, Libby Henstridge, Reza Kazempourfard

Mentor:

Howard Evans