Urban Futures - AC Case Study, Leeds PDF

**[Urban futures: Case studies -- AC, Leeds]** **Location and importance** What's life like in Leeds? International National...

**[Urban futures: Case studies -- AC, Leeds]** **Location and importance** What's life like in Leeds? International National Regional ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- International **airport** It has a large and important creative and **digital sector** Leeds **economy has performed well** in recent years and the city hasn't suffered as much as some nearby towns Important international role between **clothing firms** and outsourced factories **Shopping destination** for the north of England Centre for **arts**, including **galleries and music venues** Several **major universities** Only **2 hours from London** by train **Largest city in the Yorkshire** and Humber region **Leeds United** was one of the top teams in the country Well-developed **transport infrastructure** Leeds is part of a major **conurbation** **Population has increased by 10% in the last decade** -- providing many consumers and potential employees **Channel 4 HQ** moved from London to Leeds in 2018 England's biggest **base for banking, financial services, and law firms** outside London [\[CHART\]]{.chart}The pie chart shows a **majority of white people,** British who have moved to Leeds due **to rural-urban migration**, and a there is an obvious minority of non-white people. This could cause **areas of different ethnicities** where people gather as well as **places of worship and amenities**. **Industry:**    **Sport and leisure:** In **2014 the tour de France started in Leeds**, watched by millions, this designed to **raise the profile** of the region, resulting in the 'Tour De Yorkshire'. **Leeds football and 2 rugby teams** play at a very high level as well as the **cricket ground** which attracts test cricket teams and fans, and in doing so raises their public profile Another popular tourist destination is the newly completed **Trinity Leeds mall**, which has over **120 national and international brands**, attracting 22 million visitors in its first year of opening. **Surrounding countryside:** Leeds is close to the **Yorkshire Dales** and **North York Moors National Park**, both of which are classified as areas of outstanding national beauty. **Leeds economy** GVA £ millions GVA per head -------------------------- ---------------- -------------- Inner London 237,356 71,162 Greater Manchester South 38,645 25,950 Leeds 20,362 26,741 Greater Manchester North 17,620 14,375 **Changes over the last decade** - **New buildings** are going up along the waterfront and canal basin - Council plans to build **new affordable housing** to tackle homelessness - **Redevelopment** is taking place on a large scale The city centres street **patterns keep changing** and some businesses have changed their names at night to provide a different experience for younger customers **Patterns of national and international migration** [Commonwealth:] - In the **1950's**, there was a huge influx of **immigrants from the Caribbean** - Oldest Caribbean community in the UK - Large **Pakistani and Indian community** [Ireland:] - Large **Irish community dating back to the early 19^th^ century** - Slum communities were forced to leave, caused dispersion across the city - Number of Irish immigrants = **over 30,000** [Europe] - After **WW2 Polish, Ukrainian, and Hungarian** refugees sought refuge in Leeds - **Extension of EU** in 2004 led to new arrivals - 2013, ONS estimated there to be **6000-9000 new long term immigrants** into Leeds - **Net migration around 1700** The graph shows a clear trend and fast growing rate of population growth since 1801. The highest rate being from 1861-1891 as the population increased from 250000 to 500000 (double). However, the anomalous trend begins around 1960 as the population drops hugely, due to the start of the industrial revolution. **What are the impacts of migration of the character of the city?** Overall, Leeds has benefited from the migrants as they have each brought something to the cultural life of the city and many are now in their 2^nd^/3^rd^ generation. Recently, there has been a growth in temporary migrants, made up mostly of the student population of over 300,000 as well as the 7000 members of staff that work at the university. Around 18% of the city's population are 15 and under, and only 15% are over 65. In east Leeds, ¼ of the population is under 19. This has caused a huge demand for housing stock, and they are important for the local economy. Many of the retail and entertainment businesses sell clothing and products aimed at teens; there is a thriving cage culture and lots of night life. However, it has also put pressure on education and services for young people. In response, Leeds has provided lots of entertainment and food near to the university and has introduced the 'Future in mind: Leeds', a plan which accounts for young people's mental health.   **Challenges** Leeds has introduced a strategy called 'Leeds 2030' in which it proposes to be the best city in the UK by this date. It targets issues facing many large cities such as... [Affordable housing - ] Many people struggle to find affordable accommodation as many of the new flats are too expensive but empty [Unemployment -] Unemployment is a major issue for many of Leeds citizens: 16,000 people aged 16 and over [Social inequality and deprivation - ] 3^rd^ highest levels of inequality of any city in the UK: IN poorer areas such as Holbeck 15% of people are on benefits of some kind [Loss of local businesses -] As it has become a major city in terms of economy in the UK, many larger businesses have moved their and in doing so caused a loss of local businesses [Environmental challenges - ] The development of many modern buildings and the urban sprawl of the conurbation into the surrounding countryside has destroyed much wildlife and climate change is also a major issue [Transport -] The growing population has resulted in transport services which can't always keep up and commutes are now much longer [Gated communities -] Richer citizens hide behind walls and gated security; anti homeless spikes discourage sleeping near prestigious developments [Studentification - ] The local community has been replaced by a student community **Impact of 'studentification'** There are large student areas in the north, which have been impacted by studentification such as South Headingly and Hyde Park. Many here rely on the private rented sector resulting in a demographic imbalance, rent and property inflation. There is a trend of more pubs and restaurants in these areas, however though busy in termtime when the holiday season comes, demand drops hugely. Crime is also high in these areas such as theft and noise is an issue. Many old housing has been turned into HMOs to maximise rental income. The number of students causes trouble with parking; however, they bring millions of pounds to the local economy and the universities are major employers. **Becoming more sustainable** For Leeds, in order to become more sustainable it needs to provide people with a good quality of lifein a way that is: - Socially sustainable - measures in place to improve the quality of life in the way that people who live in the area interact - Economically sustainable - providing employment and training for residents, so they don\'t have to leave the area every day to travel to work elsewhere in the city - Environmentally sustainable - development needs to offer buildings which are energy efficient, with an eye to renewable energy, low emissions from activities and protection of local habitats [HS2:] In 2014, the government announced the extension of the HS2 (a high speed railway line). It is due to finish development between 2035-40. This will benefit the 'Northern powerhouse', the governments plans to invest in cities in the north as part of a plan to reduce the dominance of London in the economy. [Leeds south bank:] There are huge plans for the south bank including... - A focus on infrastructure and investment including a new HS2 station which means that public transport is prioritised for residents - Retail, leisure, financial and professional services are supported - Incorporates previous developments at royal armouries - A cultural centre at the old Tetley brewery will support contemporary art - Educational improvements linked to Leeds City college, which will transform the former Alf Cooke print works into a vocational campus - Hub for new creative and digital industries - A new 3.5 hectare park and open space along the waterfront - Over 300,000 square metres of development land available - Creation of Holbeck urban village: digital technology and living spaces close to the waterfront, which have won awards for their improvements and economic, social and physical environment - new pedestrian and cycle bridges will connect new open spaces to improve connectivity - Water taxi and shuttle bus services will connect the area to the station, and reduce carbon emissions