A Rapid Approach to the Digital Documentation of Bradford’s Rich Industrial Heritage

Abstract

The industrial heritage for the City of Bradford Metropolitan District is of international significance, with the city formerly being the centre of the world’s worsted trade during the nineteenth century. The intensification of textile production during the industrial revolution resulted in exponential growth of all aspects of the city, the legacy seen in the townscape heritage of the city today. The structures from this period have played a key role in defining the city’s identity. Since the decline of the textile industry the fabric of many of these buildings from the city’s golden age are under threat and at high risk of loss due to weathering, vandalism and fire. Given the varied nature and condition of these structures, a rapid approach has been applied that complements initiatives in train with Bradford Council to regenerate the ‘Top of Town’; that are reflective of Historic England’s ‘Engines of Prosperity’ report into the regeneration of Industrial Heritage; and with the Management of Saltaire World Heritage site. This chapter focuses on the digital documentation of a conservation area which is highly vulnerable, producing a dataset to aid conservation, management, interpretation and promotion of Bradford’s rich heritage.