•Encourage volunteerism, community pride and rely on participation from the whole community. •Invest in the arts community as it can be a driver of economic development in the community as well as defuse racial tensions. The process of designing and executing performance art can provide unifying activities that connect the people in the town. Break down racial barriers in the community and build new partnerships. •The craft industry, particularly when tied to tourism promotion, is a potential economic engine. • Build an economic development strategy around craft-based businesses to help overcome

employment issues. • Retirees can be economic development assets as they can also be active in community life. These retirees bring a valuable professional expertise. • Seek innovative ways to provide individualized assistance to local entrepreneurs in order to move them toward being engines for job creation. •Look to local service and resource providers beyond traditional public sector sources.

•Vacant downtown buildings can be occupied by new art galleries, restaurants or service businesses. •Renovate and remodel buildings, improving the appearance of the community’s gateway.

ECONOMIC STRATEGY AND WINDSOR COURT DESIGN

Morley Town Hall

St. Mary ‘s in the Wood church

Commercial street shops

Morley Town Centre and Windsor Court

St. Mary in the Wood Park

The Commercial Street and main circulation areas

Step 2: Confluence landscape and architecture by reflecting the landscape and creating a new green texture.

Step 1: Create a design that encourages positive interaction between the people.

Windsor Court forms the centre of the town but its appearance needs a great improvement.

Design Considerations:

• The design aims to allow public segregation while maintaining the visual permeability of the space in attempt to create and maintain the relationship between public and private space.

• Provides an opportunity for both people-watching and direct contact with friends, family or strangers.

• Increase the level of activity taking place at Windsor Court and enrich the public space.

• Limited access to private space.

• Just like a building, the street furniture has a ‘front’ and ‘back’ face.

• The street furniture does not obstruct the pedestrians or the desired lines.

• Increase the range of activities which may take place.

• Supply the square with affordable space to house these activities.

• The design gives the square a strong character which is easily distinguished by the users.

• The trees provide contrast to the hard urban landscape, add human scale and provide a sense of enclosure and continuity.

• The simple and unadorned floorscape makes the space appear bigger.

New bike trail

Revitalize the Commercial Street

Replacing different small bits of street furniture

Create a new climbing wall and playground for children.

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS

The area in front of the church can be transformed into a green space which will involve all kinds of community groups and activities. The retavilisation of the area should include street furniture which will provide seating spaces. Because of the mysterious and romantic character of the place a gazebo will be a nice touch. There is a lot of visual privacy and no undesired sounds which makes it a perfect place for rest and relaxation. It has a central location in the town which affords easy access to Morley’s landmarks. The development of the area will increase the urban vitality and street life. There is plenty of vegetation around the church which, however, needs to be maintained. The already existing fence has some exquisite ornamentation on it but needs to be repainted. The shaped trees and bushes will increase the visibility both from and to the area around the church. A nice little fountain will transform it into a magical place to be. The ascending stairs create a sense of pilgrimage. If the stairs are made more attractive, some colourful flowers are seeded on both sides and amenity light added, it will all contribute to the magical atmosphere. The building of the church itself has a great historical value but needs restoration. In future it may keep its original purpose or accommodate a variety of activities such as art exhibitions or music concerts. The great acoustics and the vast interior space in churches make them the perfect location for such events. The exterior of the church contributes to the architectural diversity of the town. It helps in building a hierarchy of building types which increases the legibility of Morley.

ST. MARY’S IN THE WOOD