PROJECT INTRODUCTION
This research-by-design thesis project follows the instruction of theories from Landscape Urbanism. I chose Castlegate (Sheffield, UK) as my research and design site to explore how to revive a declined district by its site-specific Cultural & Geographic Identities.
Castlegate was an extraordinary place, both culturally and geographically. It is regarded as the birthplace of Sheffield, with an 800-year history of being Sheffield's city center with many critical facilities surrounded or located in this area previously (e.g., the castle, Town Hall, Court, Victoria Railway Station, Canal, and the Castle Market, etc.). Castlegate acted as Sheffield's market trade center and primarily served working-class residents for almost 700 years, mainly after Castle Market was constructed in 1959. During centuries particularly these decades, the site changed significantly. Most of these facilities were demolished or relocated due to a series of urban policies. When the city center moved out from this district in the middle of the C20th, Castlegate declined rapidly. Sadly, nowadays, Castlegate has lost its urban identity and previous glory. Meanwhile, climate change increased flooding, caused by heavy rainfall in Sheffield more frequently than last century. As Castlegate is located in the low topography zone and adjacent to the River Don (the main river in Sheffield), this area has a high flooding risk. As BBC reported, there was massive damage during the 2007 significant flooding, and one person died during the disaster at the Lady's Bridge located in Castlegate (BBC, 2017). Castlegate is greatly overlooked by the Sheffield City Council as an opportunity to restore its cultural significance and enhance its ecological value, which could help mitigate flooding risks.
My thesis project explores the potential to revive a neglected and declining site by leveraging its cultural and geographic identities and uncovering its unique values. The design proposal focuses on its geographic function as a rain garden to mitigate potential future floods, as well as a flower garden for educational and commercial purposes. Simultaneously, it aims to serve as a cultural and social hub, reconnecting the site with its long-standing history as a market—a cultural symbol of its identity.
Together, the proposed new Castle Market will act as a strategic space for stormwater management while fostering a vibrant social environment that preserves and celebrates the site's unique history and culture.
