7-11 Sheffield

Sheffield is a city that is undergoing a renaissance following the decline of iron and steel.

It makes an excellent case study for a range of issues: declining industry, urban redevelopment and renewal, out of town retail developments, mass transit systems (the Supertram) and Green Belts. It is on the edge of the Peak District National Park. It was also my nearest city when I was growing up.

Here are some suggested sites to start your exploration of the city.

1: http://www.sheffield.gov.uk
The local authority site has some facts and figures, and details on the environment.

2. http://www.map21ltd.com/COSTC11/Sheffield/sh-landscape.htm
An exploration of the open spaces in and around Sheffield, with some very useful images and detail on outlying areas of the city. Also has details on the areas of Green Belt which prevent the city sprawling out.

3. Meadowhall is a major retail park built on the site of an old steelworks (where my dad worked for a while) http://www.meadowhall.co.uk . There are some amusing comments for and against the development at http://www.bbc.co.uk/southyorkshire/have_your_say/meadowhall.shtml

Is it Meadowhell or Meadowheaven you decide. It is certainly a case study that a lot of schools use, although it may be getting a little out of date.

4. http://www.sheffield1.com/home.html
The partnership of several groups which is responsible for the redevelopment of the city centre. An Interactive map lets you see information on the newly planned areas such as the new Retail quarter and the Victoria quays. The city is changing by the day.

5. How about an example of tourism making use of an old building / primary industry. Visit http://www.magna.co.uk

Magna is built on the site of the old Steel, Peech and Tozer works, where my dad used to work. Its a scientific museum / discovery centre where you can explore the 4 elements, and be impressed by the scale of the old foundry building. On cold days, there would be ice on the floor right next to the molten castings heading for the rolling mills. Steelworkers were real men! (I decided to do a Geography degree instead)

6. Photos of Sheffield ?

Get a feel for the city at various photo galleries. One of the most comprehensive, with some great pictures from the 1970s  local people will remember the Hole in the Road which has now been filled in  is the site of Dave Milner at http://citysnapper.org/dm/  This will give people who are not familiar with the city a good idea of the various areas.

7. Supertram. As an alternative to the bus or the congested streets, the Supertram offers electric powered comfort. Not everyone is in favour of the proposed expansion towards Rotherham. http://www.supertram.com/info.html

A good example of a mass transit system...

Anyone suggest others ?

The web addresses were correct at the time of going to press! If you have problems finding a site, type in the name of the site in a search engine.

Questions or problems regarding this web site should be directed to kate.russell@staffordshire.gov.uk
Copyright © 2007 [QLS Staffordshire County Council]

This page last updated 29 April 2004