Solar Avenue, Leeds

Learning Moments

• Brave and bold developers can make big contributions to Urban Design at every levels
• “If you create great places then good things happen within them“ Jonathan Wilson, Cofounder, Citu Home.
• High quality design that approaches Net Zero is possible in a commercial development. Many developers appear to be avoiding engagement with this. This scheme shows what is possible and should be celebrated.
• Landscaping and connectivity have revived a brownfield site near the city centre.
• Developers can overturn the apparent obstacles to good design by perseverance and bravery

Introduction

It is fantastic to see a street design which is tackling the climate emergency head on. The developers are young, enthusiastic, and innovative in so many ways.

They refuse to take no for an answer and thrive on challenging the status quo at all levels. They are pushing the boundaries of planning guidance, placemaking, social innovation and construction. This is a credible execution of what a zero carbon new settlement will be like.

The developer says, ”If you create great places then good things happen”. Their achievement at these streets proves this assertion and is a key urbanist driver of the whole scheme.

A 200-metre-long boulevard links Solar Avenue into the heart of the scheme and the assessors were pleased to judge the streets and their connection together.

Read full assessment report