ABSTRACT
Leeds is a city that has experienced a long period of sustained renewal, driven by strong economic forces. Views about the impacts of changes in the built environment differ widely. Some people are simply impressed by the scale and pace of change and make the assumption that it must be good for the city to move on in this vibrant way. Others are more critical in their appraisal. Although Leeds made great strides in the late twentieth century in terms of vitality, public realm, identity, diversity and mix, the city has made less certain progress in recent years under extreme development pressure. The city has seen the construction of a range of mediocre buildings, the dominance of private capital, the sidelining of environmental concerns, and a failure to add new green open space.
