Kelham Island has officially been named the UK’s best neighbourhood at this year’s Urbanism Awards.
One of the city’s oldest industrial sites, with roots stretching back to the 12th century, beat areas like Hackney Wick and Manchester’s Ancoats to the Urbanism Awards’ Great Neighbourhood award.
Supporting the nomination, a number of local businesses and bodies – including design studio Peter & Paul, Kelham Island Community Alliance (KICA), Kelham Island Museum, CITU and Sheffield City Council – came together to tell the area’s story. Huge, huge props for bringing the award home!
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Keen to stress the quarter’s steady evolution as opposed to quick cash gentrification projects seen in other urban neighbourhoods, a report pointed towards the commitment to breathing life back into historic buildings and disused units to create a varied and thriving community. With almost 5,000 people currently living in the area, organisations like KICA have proven vital in ensuring it continues to be a safe, inclusive and environmentally friendly place to live and work.
A number of academicians came down to assess in September, before which community members were seen taking to the streets beforehand in a group effort to ensure the area was looking at its best.