Leeds: Shaping the City

Presents an assessment of the redevelopment and regeneration of Leeds. This book identifies the drivers for change in the renaissance of contemporary Leeds following its evolution from Georgian/Victorian times. It explores the depth and complexity of the public-private partnerships involved in the delivery structures and their achievements.

If Leeds was good in Arthur Ransome's day, it is hard to find an adjective that describes its fizz and chutzpah at the beginning of the 21st century. The city has been so successful in the last 30 years that its rivals have had to fall back on the insult 'smug', a jibe which, by definition, has little effect on its target. There is a deep-rooted sense of satisfaction, every bit as cosy as Ransome's, in the unofficial capital of Yorkshire. It shows mostly in the attitude of its people but also finds expression in the architecture, and especially in the strong sense of place in the city centre.

"Leeds: Shaping the City" is an authoritative and objective assessment of the redevelopment and regeneration of Leeds. It identifies the drivers for change in the renaissance of contemporary Leeds following its evolution from Georgian/Victorian times; explores the depth and complexity of the public-private partnerships involved in the delivery structures and their achievements; articulates the importance of urban design for successful regeneration; uses case studies to illustrate the processes involved in the major physical change of the city and to assess their influence on future projects; and, provides a chronology of critical regeneration activities and key events over the last 20 years.

Leeds has done exceptionally well in transforming itself from a grimy 'factoryopolis'.There are challenges ahead but the physical expression of Leeds' success - seen everywhere from clubs and cool restaurants to lofts above the inland port, where canal and river entwine - keep stimulating the imagination of new generations of entrepreneurs.