The concept for a linked series of public spaces from Sheffield railway station to the centre of the city was first considered in the mid 1990s as part of the Heart of the City project. This concept has been progressively developed since this time and was brought to a conclusion with the completion of Sheaf Square and Howard Street in December 2006.

The landscape architect was responsible for the development of the concept and masterplan for the route and led the detailed design of Peace Gardens, Barkers Pool and Howard Street, in collaboration with other professionals from the city council’s design team, sub-consultants and artists. Negotiation with the client and agents ensured the continuity of spaces and materials for Millennium Square and Winter Gardens.

The city centre is now booming and the reputation of Sheffield as a forward-looking European city with a commitment to contemporary design and craftsmanship has been enhanced. A hugely popular series of linked public spaces is used for relaxation, events and journey to work. The renewed confidence and pride in the city centre after the ‘difficult days’ of the 1980s and early 1990s has demonstrated the contribution that landscape architects can make to the quality of life in our cities.

The project creates a critical mass of high-quality public space to support city living, thereby helping to make dense inner urban development sustainable. There is now greater opportunity for public relaxation and events in the area of the city best served by public transport. A substantial area of traffic-free managed space is supported by a commitment to the highest standards of street tree planting and innovative horticulture.

The scale of the project makes this one of the largest corridors of linked high-quality public realm in the country. The entire corridor has a cohesive commitment to contemporary craftsmanship in the handling of natural stone, metals and the use of water.