Huddersfield's embrace of MakerWorld part of new vision for town centres: Chloe Williams

Tactical urbanism is all about reimagining and repurposing urban spaces to meet the evolving needs of communities.

It often involves temporary solutions that can lead to permanent improvements.

By allowing The Children’s Art School to set up MakerWorld in the Piazza Shopping Centre, Kirklees Council has not only prevented the area from becoming a derelict eyesore but also provided a space for creativity, innovation and community.

This approach is crucial in the current transitional phase from a retail-based town centre to an experiential one.

We know that with the decline of traditional retail, town centres must evolve to remain relevant. With the dominance of online shopping, physical stores will have to start offering experiences that cannot be replicated online.

This shift is essential for maintaining footfall and ensuring that town centres remain lively and attractive places for people to visit.

Kirklees Council’s decision to host MakerWorld in one such temporarily vacant space exemplifies this forward-thinking approach, creating an environment where people can meet and engage in communal activities.

Using temporary spaces effectively is vital for demonstrating the potential uses of urban spaces. Activities such as art groups, children’s workshops, and cultural events thrive in such environments, bringing people together and enriching the local culture.

Of course, we’d love a permanent home but by supporting our MakerWorld offer, Kirklees Council has shown that even marginal and temporary interventions can have a significant impact on the vibrancy of a town centre like Huddersfield.

Huddersfield has a high proportion of industrial space and lower-than- average office space and is a prime example of where such interventions are needed.

MakerWorld is chaotic, busy and lively. Accepting the temporary and haphazard nature of such projects is crucial and I’m so grateful that this has been the case here. These initiatives, although short-term, lay the groundwork for more permanent solutions and help to maintain the vibrancy of urban spaces in the interim.

Centralising cultural activities and making use of accessible locations where all transport links converge maximises the benefit to the community, particularly for those who rely on public transport, a situation that applies to many of the families we support.

Other councils can learn from Huddersfield’s example. By turning empty retail spaces into hubs for cultural and community activities, towns can create environments that attract people back into the town centre.

In Bradford, for instance, the incomplete Broadway Centre left a derelict site for years, highlighting the importance of temporary interventions.

Huddersfield’s town centre is undergoing a significant transformation, with plans to consolidate cultural buildings and create a cohesive, accessible space for residents and visitors. MakerWorld’s presence in the Piazza Shopping Centre is a testament to the council’s commitment to this vision.

Chloe Williams is from The Children’s Art School