Holmfirth Urban Study - University of Huddersfield

HOLMFIRTH URBAN STUDY - PROJECT 3

Fred , Kung Hin Fai u1672735

Contents Part 1 : Urban Studies Introduction

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Human Activity

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Social Structure

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Land Use

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Architecture

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Environment

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Inf rastructure

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Part 2 : Master Plan Design Archtecture Allocation

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Public and Private external realm

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Routes

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ĺ°‹ PART 1

Finding in Holmfirth Human Activities Social Structure Land Use Environment Architecture Infrastructure

Figure 1 : The Photo of Holly Tree ( Archmodels , .2016 )

Introduction & Population From ‘Holn’ which means a ‘hollin’, a place with Holly trees and ‘firth’, an open area in a forest used for hunting.The town originally grew up around a corn mill and bridge in the 13th and 14 th Century.

The present parish church and Methodist church was built in 1778 after the church built in 1476 was swept away in a flood the old time before 20th Century. the town’s name had different meaning of “Holm Firth” and translated as “holly Wood” to depict the naturalenvironmentandvaluablesiteinHolmfirth.

The other word ‘Firth’ is an old English name meaning wood and woodland indicating the name of Holme woods. (Huddersifield Examiner , 2017 )

From the right-hand size diagram provided, it is obvious that the population of Holmfirth rose in the decade, from 20,138 in 2001 increase gradully to 22,079 in 2016 . It reflects that it have a stable number of population in this valley.

For the age group of Holmfirth, the age of 18 -64 year is the largest one among the teenager and eldery people. it occupied the percent of 57.7 in the whole age and the second is the teenager group which are proportioned around 21.4 % in this year.

Meanwhile, most of the local people have a religion of Christian which have around 64.9 % related to Parish Church and Methodist Church in Holmfirth

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20,138 Population of Census 29-4-2001

All popuation figures are computed from the outputed area of the Holmfirth subvision

22,079 Population of Census 30-6-2016

The Index includes the further population figure and the ethnic group in Holmfirth

Gender

Age Group

Ethnic Group

Religion

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Figure 2 : Aerial Photo of Holmfirth

Huam Activity When it comes to the regular activity for the local people , old and new photo demonstrate the regular activity In the main road and alley . Figure 8 figured out the business activity in the alley .the horse and poeple took the goods from the residence in alley and went to the main road .Meanwhile ,it’s clear to saw the figure 7 that antique car parked and the people strolled down in Victoria’s Street .Compare to the 21st Century,many car and people parked and walked in this main Road .it menifest that many local pople do the business and regular activities from the old and new century in Holmfirth and the natural environemt apparently .

Corrersonding to the Human activities , the historic map were reflected the human-being and behaviours for the diagram demonstration. Apparently ,infrastructure and green space is striking observed in 1981 compared to other map .

Whilst the Residence and parish church are not have any change in the map finding , it is evidece that some facilities were preserved in Holmfirth. For instance, the weir ( found in 1981 ) is a barrier across the horizontal width of a river that .Unfortunately , it were demolished and not found in the later of 1989 but It is a great facilties to protect flooding in Holmfirth.

Conclusion, the basic facilities likes theatre and residence retained in the earlier 50 years .it revealed it’s not tremondous change in the center of Holmfirth.

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Figure 3 : Holmfirth Site Photo in 1967

Figure 4 : Holmfirth Site Photo in 1981

Figure 5 : Holmfirth Site Photo in 1989

Figure 6 : Unknown Year in Holmfirth

KEY Findings of Human Activities

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Figure 7 : The Old and New Photo in Victoria Street,Holmfirth (McGill,2017).

Figure 8 : The old and new photo in the Alley , Holmfirth (Holmfirthfilmfestival,2017).

Figure 9 : The old and new photo in Towngate,Holmfirth (McGill,2017).

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Figure 10 : The site distributinon in Holmfirth center

FUNCTION KEY ZONE 1 , 2 , 3, 9 , 10 , 11 Residence

ZONE 4 , 5 Garden , Car park, Public Area

ZONE 6 , 7 , 8 Shop Front and Leisure Area

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Figure 11 : The boundary of Holmfirth ( Citypopulation,2017 )

Social Structure Holmfirth is a small town situated six miles south of Huddersfield town centre. This town originally grew up around a bridge and a cornmill in the 13th century. Within 300 years this town expanded. This expansion was lead by the rapid growth in cloth trade and increase in the production of stones and slates from the surrounding quarries.Holmfirth is a festive town with events taking place throughout the year.

There are many community groups providing different types of activities for well-being of the town, such as Dance, Fitness, Learning Language, Well-being Centre, Sports activity,Drawing, painting.The two main historic churches are – Holy Trinity Church and Holmfirth Methodist which are located in the town centre.

Holmfirth is a festive town with events taking place throughout the year. There are many community groups providing different types of activities for well-being of the town, such as Dance, Fitness, Learning Language, Well-being Centre, Sports activity, Drawing, painting and many more.The two main historic churches are – Holy Trinity Church and Holmfirth Methodist which are located in the town centre.This town is also better known as the location for the popular BBC TV series Last of the Summer Wine, with many fans making their journey every year to visit such locations as Sid’s Café and Nora Betty’s Steps.Lesiure activities for the people who visit Holmfirth and for the people who live there areWalks to places like the Blackmoorfoot, Brownhill, Digley and Ramsden reservoir just outside town centre with beautiful sceneries, Hepworth Bluebell walk and Last of the Summer Wine trail.

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Figure 12: The Holmfirth site model

Figure 13: Holmfirth methodist church

Figure 14: Holy trinity church

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General Activities Literature , Live band and Festival took place in Holmfirth Library, public carpark and Church Courtyard. Indigenous events held on the outdoor area to celebrate the traditional and reglion festival in this public area.

Most of the facilities situated in Holmfirth center and provided many indoor and outdoor activites in building

KEY

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1. HolmfirthLibrary 2. PublicCarpark 3. ChurchCourtyard

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3

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Figure 14 : Huddersfield literature festival ( February )(Holmfirth Events, 2008)

Figure 15 : Holmfirth art festival ( June ) (Saddieworth news & life, .2011)

Figure 16 : Live blue at Holmfirth civic hall ( May ) (Holmfirth Events, 2015)

Figure 17 : Holmfirth festival of folk ( May )(Huddersfield Examiner, 2015).

Figure 18: Holmfirth food festival ( September )(Huddersfield Examiner, 2017)

Figure 19 :: Holmfirth christmas light celebration ( November) (Holmfirth Events 2009 )

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Holmfirth Cinema (Picturedrome)

Holmfirth Library

Holmfirth Trinity Church

Bramble( Holmfirth )

Lloya Bank

Post Office

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Figure 20 :: The Holmfitth site map in 1906

Figure 21: The Holmfitth site map in 1931

Land Use - Building Function & Historic Map The area of Holmfirth has developed throughout the years as it has adapted to having public transport as well as increased population.The first map ( Fig 20 ) shows Holmfirth in 1906.

The red lines show the roads while the blue and brown colours show the river and the buildings which mainly housed residents however there were some business run buildings at this time too, not as many as there are now. The second map just below shows holmfirth in 1931 which is 25 years after the first map. By comparing the two, it is clear to see that there hasnt been much development.Conclusion,there are more buildings and houses and suggest an increase in population aswell as the new market place found on the 1931 map.

The major types of buildings in this area are generally customer driven businesses/ societies which help give the place its identity. it include some of the areas focal points like the Shopping Centre, The Old Bridge Inn Hotel and Holmfirth Cinema are just a few of the landmarks. The majorty of the land in the area is public however, there are a few small privately run businesses and a few houses that also have their own private areas which isnt open for public use. The next map will show into more depth on how public and private land has changed from the past till now.

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The Relationship Between Building and Land use

The Relationship Between Building and Road

Residence & Shop

Residence & Shop

- River Holme has a large impact on the layout of building . Most of building located in the center of Holmfirth

- The buildings immediately beside the roads in the town center are mostly commercial and the one that are set back are more residential

The Relationship Between Building and Water River - River Holme have arguably the best view in the town centre. Similarly to the buildings beside roads, the shape and layout is heavily influenced by the shape of the river. An interesting building is the Sainsburys, which is built across the river.

Main Road

Public , Semi-public & Private Space

Zone Distribution

Private Spaces

Yellow Area

- Most private areas in the town centre are courtyards of buisnesses and gardens.

- it is further away from the bus station are mostly residential

Semi-public Spaces

Pink Area

- The semi-public spaces in the town centre are parks and the church garden.

- it is closer to the centre of town and beside the river are mostly commercial and churches

Public Spaces

Purple Area

- The public spaces are around the roads, river and bus stop area

- Open areas that are used by public for mostly parking.

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Figure 22: Window and door pattern in H olmfirth

Figure 23: Alley & staircase in Holmfirth

Architectural Pattern The arch over the doorway which breaks the straight lines of the brick work. The right image is of a door next to Sid’s Café. The black and white colour and contrasts greatly to its environment because the brickwork of all of the surrounding areas are earthy than stark and bold.

The windows on most of the buildings in Holmfirth are mill style, which originates from when buildings were used as mills and people didn’t have the facility to make long lintels for long windows. The people creates a wonderful pattern on the facades of buildings and also allow an immense amount of light into the buildings.

The overall feel of the entire town is industrial and historical. On walking around Holmfirth alley it feel as though you have gone back in time.

The town feels cohesive due to the materials used in the buildings and get the feeling that the towns people are very fond and proud of their homes and their history.

There is not much open space in the town, only the area that is used as the bus station and the roads Whilst walking around the town centre we found this buidling and noticed that on one of the bricks was engraved with words reading ’The Spontaneous Act’, which grabbed our attention. Little nuances like this epitomize Holmfirth.

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1. WRINKLED STOCKING TEA ROOMS

2. HOLMFIRTH PICTUREDOME

-It’s famously recognised as ‘Nora Batty’s Steps’ from the television programme ‘The Last of the Summer Wine’. The building was previously used as a guest house before it became a tea room.

-This theatre is very important in Holmfirth.

Many events such as concerts, theatre productions and other social gatherings take place in the Picturedome. It takes pride of place in the centre of town, overlooking the River Holme.

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2

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3. SID’S CAFÉ

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4. HOLY TRINITY CHURCH - Beautiful Grade II listed building that sits opposite the Picturedome overlooking the Holme River. The church appears on maps as early as 1892 and continues to be a hub of activity for the community, holding groups and classes as well as services every week.

- Sid’s Café is a major tourist attraction in Holmfirth due to its connection the the show ’Last of the Summer Wine’. Tourists visit the café to experience what they have seen on the show.

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Figure 24: Max ,min and average temperature (World Weather Online,2017).

Figure 25 : Average rainfall amount (mm) and rainy days (World Weather Online,2017)

Avg Temp Min Temp

Rain ( mm ) Days

Max Temp

Figure 26 : Average and max Awind speed and gust ( mph ) (World Weather Online,2017)

Avg Temp Max Wind (mph)

Figure 27 : Average snowfall amount ( cm ) and snow days (World Weather Online,2017)

Rain ( mm )

Days

Avg Wind (mph)

Climate The temperature, rainy days , wind speed and showfall amount are demonstrated in terms of the Holmfirth climate. From around 4°C in Nov 16 descened to 2 °C in Jan 17, the avarage temperature dwindled during this peiod and proliferated to 11°C in the summer of july .the temperature recorded the sustained decline in the later of mouth.Meanwhile, the index of rainfall swung in the whole year of 2017.

From the 100 mm of the rainfall amount dropped to 40mm in April, it rebounded to the peak of 175mm in the summer of June. it manifest the rainfall and temperature similar to UK weather and unstable temerpature and rainfall occurring in Holmfrth.

The average wind speed and gust , likewise , are volatiled in the year of 2017 . From the 11 mph in the Nov 16 ascended to 14 mph in Feb 16, the wind decreased to 11 mph in May and swung in the later of mouth.

On the other hand , the diagram of snowfall amount revealed the show accumulation in Holmfith. Nov 16 is the most mouth to accumulate show in the whole year . The peak of 22 cm in Nov fell to 2 cm in Dec and rebounded to 15 cm in Mar,2017. the later of mouth , similarily, dropped to the 0 cm in the summer period.

The diagram manifested the average of wind speed maintained in high intensity in this village and high showfall in the winter.

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1,2

3

Figure 28 : Green space and river in Holmfirth

Green Space River Boundary of two sides

1 Duck and pigeon perch in the river

2 Green spaces alongside the river

3 Garden landscape

4 Courtyard landscape

Route , River &Green Space The river divide the town center into two sides from the river . It becomes the main traffic and pedestrain route in the center. At the southernmost, the bridge were maken by stone which is one of the route make the vehicles across the town. Meanwhile, three steel bridges (Situated in Picturedrome, public garden and near methodist church) is other route in Holmfirth center. Duck and pigeon perch in the river and tree sprawl alongside with river. Unfortunlatly , the local people and council are not preserved the thrify tree and landscape. Green space is a beautiful view in Holmfirth but the local people weren’t be aware of public landscape between river and garden

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Considering the water level of the canal, most of the vegetation are tall and bushy. For the courtyard landscape, tall trees grow in the houses courtyard to permit sunlight assess in these planter. The tree function is to cover the private resident’s areas and become part of the river landscape. Situated in the bustling area of village , the trees grow from southern part to the middle part of the river.

It completely removed and allow enough space to stabilize the water level and the current of the river. The riverside has been built into a landscape garden to provides beautiful space for the local people interacting with wild ducks and pigeons.

Figure 29 : The shadow of Holmfirth at 9:00 am

Figure 30 : The shadow of Holmfirth at 12 :00 pm

Figure 31 : The shadow of Holmfirth at 4 :30 pm 16

Figure 32 Circulation , public & bus station in the center of Holmfirth

Public area & carpark Bus Station & waiting area Vehicle circulation

Access & Circulation In ration to the circulation of Holmfirth , main road ( Vehicle Circulation ) of Victoria Street , Huddersfield Road and Town Gate are the crownded street in the center because it’s important to go throught the valley of Honley , Sheffield and Huudersfiled in the road. Many car follow the pink cirucation going to destination in Holmfirth . Silmarly , the bus station ( Yellow ) located to the center of Holmfirth . The local people find the transportation system and go to the central accessibly . Red area ( Public space and Carpark ) belong with the main road. The car parking focus on the main red area and enable to use this public area oraganizing the festival and communal event in the carpark.

The roads of Holmfirth are very narrow including the major and minor roads. As Holmfirth sits within the Pennine hills the minor roads are very steep and narrow which makes it difficult for vehicles to access the residential area during winter periods. The bus station is in the centre of Holmfirth and only takes twenty minutes on the bus to Huddersfield. The footpaths are very narrow on Huddersfield Road and unfortunately limiting it to one pedestrian passing per time. There are many alleyways and ginnels throughout the site that lead through to the major, minor roads and residential areas. As some of the pathways are narrow some cars park on the pavement and this leads the pedestrians to walk on the road which is highly dangerous.

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Problem 1 : Narrow footpath in bus station

Problem 2 : Narrow pedestrain path in main road

- Don’t have enought space waiting and walking in this - Only have 3 bus stopping in this bus station

- It’s very hard for the eldery and disable people to walk - Narrow car parking at Victoria Street

Problem 3 : Narrow footpath in residence

Problem 4 : Narrow alley behind the parish

- Residence don’t have exterior space walking ourside - it’s merely 2m in the length of road

- it’s too steep for resident going their apartment - it’s highly dangerous go to downtown

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Figure 33 : The historic map in 1931

Figure 34 : The historic map in 1967

Figure 35 : The historic map in 1989

Figure 36 : The site map in 2017

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Figure 37 : The noise level in the center of Holmfirth

Noise Level A decibel (DB) test was undertaken on the 31/01/18 (afternoon) to determine the noise level, the highest was 78.4 DB which was on Huddersfield Road and thelowestwas55.6DBonCooperLane.Thenoiselevel was mediocre as the decibel test was taken during a lunch time-period. The main source of noise comes from vehicles and trucks, the peak times of noise is in the morning and afternoon during rush hour time. There have been no significant changes over time after analysing the maps from 1931, 1967, 19891990 and 2018 as the main roads remain the same.

On the main road there is no car parking facility available due to narrow roads, and the cars are not able to park on the pavements as this causes inconvenience for pedestrians. In order to make it pedestrian friendly, widening the footpaths would be advantageous so it is wheelchair and pram friend.

The energy use can be utilised more efficiently by making a transition from the petrol and diesel cars to electric as this is an eco-friendly way forward.

There are no emissions as they run on electricity, however a charging point would be needed as the electric motors need to charge for four to six hours to get fully charged. (Conserve Energy Future, 2018).

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找 PART 2

MasterPlanning Design Architectural Allocation Public and External Realm Route

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3 2

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Figure 38 : The materplanning design in Holmfirth Retained Residence

Introduction

Change function area

Corresponed to the finding study of urban study , the architecture , public and private space and original route are altered in the masterplanning design and establish the new platform and function in term of exterior and architectural space. the facilities fuilfil more local people to organize the Holmfirth events and change the inital function.

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Add exterior space Add / Change architectural area Main vehicle pathway Second vehicle pathway

Bus Station

Public Toilet Public Carpark Footpath

Old scheme of bus station

New scheme of bus station

Change original bus station function

Old bus station in the center Bus station

Foot path

Car park

Scheme 1 : Change the scheme of bus station Related to the land use and human activity in this bus station, the old scheme of bus station is retained around 1950 and organize the festival in the public space . In the finding analysis , the bus teminal waste a much of space and the narrow waiting space in this public area.

For the proposal of bus station, the wider footpath and bus station replace the old one. For instance , the new scheme of bus station recover the old public car park to enhance the space flexibility. This program is a considerate design to make more local people using this public area.

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Photo of waterfall in the river

Create the external area in the opposite of picturedome

Further activities - Band Show in the platform 23

Further activities - Walking and waiting in the platfrom

Scheme 2 : Add the platform in the opposite of Picturedrome For the observation of the picturedrome, the audience and the band crowded in the tiny space of Picturedrome . The outdoor space didn’t provide in the cocert and performance activities because some people like to feel the outdoor concert and enhace the people conherence in the space. The part of human activities and social strcuture mentioned that the holmfith center don’t have enought exterior space to hold the outdoor activities and the narrow footpath across the river . Related to this problem of external space in the Picturedrome , the platform will be construct in the river to achieve more people using this public area and strengthen the people coherence in this bridge platform.

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In the proposal of platform , it is multi-functional podium in the center of Holmfith . First of all , the wider bridge connect the other side of the center , the local people waits and walks in the platform instead of the narrow foot bridge . Secondly , the part of social structure mentioned that the festival of Holmfirth adopted the public bus stop and car park to settle the equipement and dressing area . The plarform is an another one area to organize the general events in Holmfirth and run the outdoor band shows and drama performance in platform. The bands and drama team have the interaction between natural environemnt and public cirucation.

Location plan : old residence and government building

Location plan : Old bridge inn and coffee house

Street view : The corner between Huddersfield and Victoria Street

Street view : The ouside area in the old bridge restaurant

Scheme 3 : Reeastablish the leisure facilities and allocate the public car park With regards to the finding of social strcuture and land uses , the old and new Holmfirth center squeeze many residence and building in the town center. The sport facilities didn’t provided in the center point . Concering this problem , the red building ( upper photo ) is a government and civic hall in the opoosite of library . Rebuild the leisure center ( red one ) provide a wide range of sport facilities in the hall and increase the flexibility in the sport complex. it’s convenience for the local people to access the sport equipement in the sport hall.

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The outdoor area in old bridge restaruant , Meanwhile , is occupied many public space in the empty area. Allocate in the public car park are the advantageous measurement to heighten the capacity of the parking . For instance , the vehicle parking replace the original center parking nearby bus terminal . The tourists and local people use this parking area to go the shopping area , visit the attraction and spilt other public area conveniently.

Proposed scheme 1 : Construct the leisure building in the red area

Proposed scheme 2 : Reestablish the public car park for the restaurant outside area 26

Photo of the courtyard garden

Location plan : Courtyard and public garden

Photo of the public garden

Scheme 4 : Reconstruct the playground and picnic area in the public landscape Reconstruct the playground and picnic area in the public landscape is a importance design arrangment related to the environent. From the environemnt shown that the duck and pigeon perch in the river and some of the people don’t care the public landscape development . Corresponed to the environemt of Holmfirth , it lack of the playground facilities and picnic area in the center and reestablish the public space for the local people utilize the beautful landscape area because the center of Holmfirth don’t have children playing area and seating area in the public garden . Facilities designation is a appropriate scheme to use these blank landscape area.

On the site investigation , the first photo of courtyard landscape ( Upper one ) plant many kind of greenery in the meadow . It merely put the two chair in this large space . For the development of meadow, playground is one of the facilitiles settling on this space like the right-one because the children have an opportunity to connect the nature. Likewise , the picnic space is an another example to design the public garden due to the park capacity. The designated area makes the people seating in the grass and feel the natural enviroment in the park and the teenagers makes the social activities in this way.

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Further activities : Add the playground facilities in the courtyard garden

Further activities : Add the picnic space in the public garden 28

Reference The Huddersfield Examiner . (2017). The ancient origins of Huddersfield place names and what they mean. Retrieved from https://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yorkshirenews/ancient-origins-huddersfield-place-names-13344555.

The Picturedrome. (2015). History of The Picturedrome. Retrieved from https://www. picturedrome.net/History.htm.

The Holmfirth Festival of Folk . (2014). The Information of Holmfirth Festival of Folk .

Retrieved from https://www.holmfirthfestivaloffolk.co.uk/info.

The Sheveling Wine . (2017). The Tour of Vineyard . Retrieved from http://sheveling.com/ tour/.

McGill, R. (2017). The Street of Holmfirth . , retrieved from https://www.pinterest.co.uk/ pin/444167581991612358/.

Holmfirthfilmfestival. (2017). The Street of Holmfirth . , retrieved from http://www.holmfirthfilmfestival.co.uk/content/local-film-night.

Citypopulation.(2016). The Population in Holmfirth,retrieved from https://www.citypopulation.de/php/uk-england-yorkshireandthehumber.php?cityid=E35000021.

Holmfirth Events, . (2018). Huddersfield Literature Festival. , retrieved from https://holmfirthevents.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/HLF2018-Collage-photo-1024x745.png.

Saddieworth news & life, . (2011). Holmfirth Art of Festivla , retrieved from http://www. saddleworthnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/holmfirthartslogo.jpg.

Holmfirth Events, . (2015). Live Blue at Holmfirth Civic Hall (Official). , retrieved from https://holmfirthevents.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Holmfirth_300dpi-766x1024. png.

Huddersfield Examiner, . (2015). Holmfirth Festival of Folk . , retrieved from https://i2prod.examiner.co.uk/incoming/article12999494.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/JS118827129.jpg.

Huddersfield Examiner, . (2017). Holmfirth Food Festival . , retrieved from https://i2-prod. examiner.co.uk/incoming/article6112569.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/AC280913Bfood-09.jpg.

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Holmfirth Events , . (2009 ). Holmfirth Christmas Light Celebration. , retrieved from https://holmfirthevents.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Christmas-lights-Procession-through-Honley-village-social-media-Sandie-Nicholson.jpg.

The Climate of Holmfirth . Retrieved from https://www.worldweatheronline.com/holmfirth-weather-averages/west-yorkshire/gb.aspx.

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Thanks for my groupmate supports and finding in this urban studies of Holmfirth Kung Hin Fai

Human Activities

K . s . Kushal

Social Structure

Elisha Leake

Architecture

Mofe Lawal

Land use

Xinyu Ling

Environment

Hardeep Lyall

Infrastructure