Urban to Rural Transitions - Leeds by Robert Wells

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

Rob Wells PG Dip Landscape Architecture

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - LOCATION Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

CONTENTS

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

LANDSCAPE URBANISM, A THEORY

CHAPTER

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - LANDSCAPE URBANISM, A THEORY Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

Landscape Architecture

Architecture

Landscape Urbanism

Urban Design

In this report I plan to explore a current landscape theory that is currently providing an interesting discourse on the role of the Landscape Architect in citymaking. I then plan to apply my findings to a specific site

Planning

which will form the basis of a design intervention. What is Landscape Urbanism? Landscape holds central significance and ties the all the other elements of the built environment together.

It views the human pattern of settlement as an unplanned and complex ecology of systems and processes and attempts to address this by means of landscape. It utilises and enhances the underlying landscape

AN INTRODUCTION TO LANDSCAPE URBANISM

qualities to drive development. Topography often forms the basis of infrastructure in Landscape Urbanism schemes. Fundamentally it enpowers the Landscape Architect to act as master choreographer on urban developments.

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - LANDSCAPE URBANISM, A THEORY Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

A strategy to build the landscape in advance of the city, even if the layout and functions of the city have not been defined... Not an expensive and hermatic green structure, but on nature having outgrown human hands, being full of character and forming a magnetic field for an as yet unknown colonisation - Adriaan Geuze 5

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - LANDSCAPE LOCATION URBANISM, A THEORY Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

Traditional cities... Congestion, pollution and various forms of stress creating undesirable effects Traditional landscapes... providing respite from the effects of urbanisation

LANDSCAPE URBANISMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ORIGINS

Central Park was intended as a relief from the city but in fact its catalytic effect on surrounding developments links it more with a Landscape Urbanism model, in this instance...

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - LANDSCAPE URBANISM, A THEORY Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement Elizabeth Mossop on Landscapes of Infrastructure “Landscape architecture can reengage with citymaking and take a more significant political role in the debates surrounding urbanization, public policy, development, urban design, and environmental sustainability.” According to Mossop “Landscape of infrastructure has become the most effective means to explore the relationship between natural processes and the city.” Mossop suggests ‘a means of developing urban strategies through the development of networks of landscape infrastructure related to ecological systems... the most enduring elements of cities are often related to the underlying landscapes - the

geology, the topography, the rivers and harbors, the climate. Mossop’s take on infrastructure and landscape urbanism interests me and seems to be a rational and forward thinking ideal as we tackle city making in the present day. However the problem with landscape urbanism is that is surrounded in theory, it all sounds great, the challenge is applying it to a site. One can recognise the ‘importance of place and connection to natural systems’ but how does one physically implement that...

Conclusions In a lecture Richard Weller a proponent of the Landscape Urbanism school states that the subject is becoming shrouded in too much theory and that there is a need to physically implement this theory. However a key exponents of Landscape Urbanism is James Corner of Field Operations who has managed to commercialise a theory into a package that has gained him global recognition for his work and rightly so. The Highline is an exemplary piece of Landscape Architecture as is his masterplan for Fresh Kills in New York. However whilst agreeing alot with the theory I

cannot help but think that the role of the Landscape Architect has long included key elements of Landscape Urbanism and is perhaps an over complicated way of explaining the interventions we as Landscape Architects make in the urban environment. I do believe that we are guilty as a profession of creating superficial landscape interventions and perhaps Landscape Urbanism will provide the solution to the problem of rapid urbanization that we have yet to find. But anything that places the Landscape Architect as master choreographer cannot be a bad thing, can it?

EXPLORING LANDSCAPE URBANISM

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - LOCATION Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Landscape Urbanism is a mixture of landscape design, landscape ecology, landscape planning and urban design to more powerfully enable Landscape Architects to holistically shape the contemporary city. - Richard Weller

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

AN INTUITIVE RESPONSE TO SITE

CHAPTER

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - AN INTUITIVE RESPONSE TO SITE Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

www.ifla2011.com

Student Landscape Architecture Design Competition Seize a great opportunity! Make an entry for the student competition of the IFLA World Congress 2011 Zurich, Switzerland, June 27–29 2011 HSR Hochschule für Technik Rapperswil, University of Applied Sciences is proud to host this year’s student competition and wishes you all the success. HSR is a leading institution in landscape architecture and the only university offering a Bachelor’s degree in this domain in German speaking Switzerland.

Topic: Urban boundaries Background Dealing with land as a resource in a sustainable way is a globally recognized goal. However, towns and villages continue to expand as long as there is sufficient space. The pressure on the landscape is growing. All too often it is still regarded as potential development land. In conjunction with these trends, the urban boundary is becoming critically important – it is the link to the open landscape that allows humans to meet their fundamental need to experience nature. The following factors have a direct impact on the physical structure of the urban boundary: -

Elements in the landscape such as topography, bodies of water etc.

Ecology – biodiversity and integration

The structure of developments and plots of land

Density of the settlement area

Intensity of use in the undeveloped landscape

Ownership / availability

Function and use, particularly accessibility to the area, access within the area and mobility through the area

www.ifla2011.com

Inspired by this years IFLA Student Landscape Architecture Design Competition on Urban Boundaries.

Exploring this Urban to Rural theme I explored aerial photographs of Leeds looking for distinct transitions.

It calls for Landscape solutions and ideas for the boundary between rural and urban areas coming under as towns and cities expand into designated areas of ‘nature’.

Looking at Leeds it is very clear to see that the River Aire runs from the city centre out to the rural periphery of Leeds where the M1 motorway encircles the City.

It calls this urban to rural boundary or transition as the fundamental link between human and the need to experience nature. The idea of nature and culture juxtaposed together in a form of urbanity is the fundamental ethos of Landscape Urbanism.

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - AN INTUITIVE RESPONSE TO SITE Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

It is important to react intuitively to site and first impressions generally stick so armed with my camera I walked the route....

Leeds City Centre

M1 Motorway 11

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - AN INTUITIVE RESPONSE TO SITE Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

â&#x20AC;&#x153;A new way of looking at our urban landscapes could deliver a better, more complete understanding of the multiplicity of phenomena at hand... It is therefore important to plead for an open, differentiated, and nondogmatic reading of landscape, where both past traces and potential futures can be grasped synchronously.â&#x20AC;? - Christophe Girot 12

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - AN INTUITIVE RESPONSE TO SITE

Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

Using Christophe Girotâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ideal that a landscape video can show more than a traditional plan can I decided to walk the route taking photographs approximately every 30 metres to explore the transition from Leeds City Centre out to where the M1 crosses the Aire. At every place that I deemed of importance I stopped to try

and capture the quality of place through photography. This phenomenological approach provided me with an alternative and intuitive view of the site.

The disused Hunslet Mills are currently unused and derelict. The buildings are located close the city centre and have a huge amount of potential. One only needs to look at the Salts Mills in Saltaire to look at a successful business model. Rural to Urban Scale: 4

KEY SEQUENTIAL LANDMARKS - HUNSLET MILLS

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - AN INTUITIVE RESPONSE TO SITE Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

A steel pipeline runs across both the canal and river Aire. I found it to be a very brutal but elegant structure and highlighted the urban to rural transition from the industry on the south bank to the more rural setting on the north bank. A metaphor for an urban to rural bridge. Rural to Urban Scale: 3

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The result is a 2 minute video which shows the explicit transition of the route. One expects a traditional urban to rural sequential transition. However to define the spatial characteristics of a place to just urban or just rural doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give enough

KEY SEQUENTIAL LANDMARKS - KNOSTRUP CUT

scope so I applied a scale to how rural or urban a space was. 1 being Most Rural 5 being Most Urban.

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - AN INTUITIVE RESPONSE TO SITE Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

Remnants of a bygone era are there to be seen all along the river corridor. At the Knostrup Locks/Weir there are the remains of the old trainline crossing. The effect of the large stonework columns is impressive and immediately one begins to think of the possibilities.

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It is very important as a Landscape Architect to read the layers of history to inform a new future. Knostrup Locks/Weir provides this opportunity. The quality of existing landscape is of a high standard along this section of the Aire as Groundwork have been involved in recent regeneration of the area. It is close by to Thwaite Mills

and joggers from the city centre venture out this far. New offices have begun to spring up along this section of river which shows that when the landscape of the River Aire has been enhanced further

The area has a balance of both urban and rural elements. Industry and built form is never far away from the natural landscape. Rural to Urban Scale: 3

KEY SEQUENTIAL LANDMARKS - KNOSTRUP WEIR

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - AN INTUITIVE RESPONSE TO SITE Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

“No one can find what will work for our cities by … manipulating scale models, or inventing dream cities….You’ve got to get out and walk.” - Jane Jacobs

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - AN INTUITIVE RESPONSE TO SITE Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

Mills around the country are being directly affected by the recession and many around the country are facing battles to survive the developers bulldozers. Both Thwaite Mills and Hunslet Mills need to be protected as they are key heritage cornerstones to this infrastructural intervention. Thwaite Mills is in need of rejuvenation.

High quality woodland just beyond Thwaite Mills is separated by a bridge crossing, a dredging site and a fly tipping is a problem that needs to be overcome.

Once very much on the periphery, the industrial sites have grown around it affecting itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rurality. The noise created by the closeby waste management site impinges on the site. Rural to Urban Scale: 2

KEY SEQUENTIAL LANDMARKS - THWAITE MILLS

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - AN INTUITIVE RESPONSE TO SITE Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

Various positive attractions line the route. Along with the potential of Hunslet Mills, the unfulfilled potential of Thwaite Mills there is the Skelton Grange Environment Centre which is an education facility in the not so inpsiring surroundings of a National Grid site and Aire Valley

The centre is run by BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) and aims to engage with people of all ages with the natural world and to inspire them make a positive difference to their community and local environment.

The centre is located in 10 acres of woodland but lies adjacent to a large national grid site and waste management site. Rural to Urban Scale: 3

18 KEY SEQUENTIAL LANDMARKS - SKELTON GRANGE ENVIRONMENT CENTRE

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - AN INTUITIVE RESPONSE TO SITE Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

From the Skelton Grange Bridge there is a distinct change in character. The sense of leaving the city centre becomes more and more apparent as you feel more immersed in the ‘rural’ surroundings. However to the left is countryside, to the right industrial buildings still dominate the landscape which have an impact on the ‘rural’ phemenonology of place. The ever presence of industry and brown field sites along the route suggests that you are never really fully immersed in countryside.Therefore a non traditional development where rural doesn’t compete against urban or a landscape urbanism term were ‘nature

doesn’t oppose culture’ would be justified on the Aire Valley Site.

The longest section without urban form breaking up the route. It has a feel of detachment and a general unpleasant atmosphere. This is the section where I felt at my most vulnerable. Rural to Urban Scale: 2

KEY SEQUENTIAL LANDMARKS - INTO THE WILDERNESS

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - AN INTUITIVE RESPONSE TO SITE

Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

The M1 river crossing comes at the end of a long period without built form. It is the largest structure on the route & undoubtedly would divide opinion to whether you would enjoy the space. The experience of scale under a motorway is acutely different to being in a car on the carriageway. Whilst the feeling of detachment is still present one cannot be but impressed by its brutal concrete form dissecting a natural valley. For me it isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a clash of man and nature but one where we participate actively in our environment. In nature creatures build structures, as do we. It will be interesting to see

what will happen in the future as we adapt to reduced natural resources and the possibility of structures like this becoming redundant. What is certain is the natural landscape will remain and will reclaim it as has happened at Knostrup Weir.

KEY SEQUENTIAL LANDMARKS - M1 AIRE RIVER CROSSING

The area provides an interesting combination of rural and urban with its brutal structure and detached atmosphere. Teenagers would revel in this space. Rural to Urban Scale: 2

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - AN INTUITIVE RESPONSE TO SITE Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

Just beyond the M1 crossing lies Rothwell Country Park. An old colliery that has become a modest sized country park. It is a pleasant landscape used by locals of Rothwell and mountain bikers who have cycled out from the city along the Sustrans route.

It provides panoramic views over the Aire Valley all the way back to the city centre and East to Temple Newsham. The intermediate ground between it and the city centre is of course the industrial shedscape I had just walked through. And herein lies the problem.

How to connect the rural periphery to the urban core by landscape means alone

A natural ending to the route. A place where you can take stock of the impact of urban to rural transitions Rural to Urban Scale: 5

KEY SEQUENTIAL LANDMARKS -ROTHWELL COUNTRY PARK

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - AN INTUITIVE RESPONSE TO SITE

Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

43 34 4 333

4 3 3

3 3 43 3 4 4

3 3 33 2

22 2

2 33 2

2 22 2 2 2 22 33

2 2 2 2 22

22 222 2 222

1000m

URBAN / RURAL CHARACTERISTICS

2 1 11 1 1 11 11 1 11 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 1

5 4 3 2 1

MOST RURAL

MOST URBAN

555 5 55 5 555 5 54

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - AN INTUITIVE RESPONSE TO SITE Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Given the complexity of the rapidly urbanizing metropolis, to continue to oppose nature against culture, landscape against city ... is to risk complete failure of the architectural and planning arts to make any real significant contribution to future urban formations.â&#x20AC;? - James Corner

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - AN INTUITIVE RESPONSE TO SITE

Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

When the current economic crisis began plans to redevelop the Hunslet Mills into residential dwellings was stalled. According to Leeds City Council there are no current plans to regenerate. Landscape Urbanism stipulates infrastructure will cater for a flexibility in future developments. Its use will remain undefined at this point in order to allow it to

cater for unseen events such as the economy by being part of a larger scale flexible and open ended design. The current development adjacent to the Hunslet Mill and the first phase of the Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement is almost

24 DEVELOPMENT CONFLICTS OF THE AIRE VALLEY SITE

complete. The site floods, the designers have solved this by raising the first floor to above the flooding level. Working with rather than against the flooding situation will produces a far more attractive and successful solution.

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - AN INTUITIVE RESPONSE TO SITE Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

The new A61 bridge crossing of the Aire is a barrier and is purely vehicular infrastructure. If the area becomes more diverse in its use as is the plan then it needs to be addressed in the overall strategy. Alongside this barrier Hunslet is also

has problems with lots of buildings and failed businesses in the area. Lying only 30 metres from the proposed intervention this area can and will benefit from an improved links as it lies only a stones throw from the city centre.

DEVELOPMENT CONFLICTS OF THE AIRE VALLEY SITE

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - AN INTUITIVE RESPONSE TO SITE Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

Hunslet is a cluttered landscape of industrial sheds and heavily trafficked roads. Yet the city centre lies only a few miles away. The legibility of the Trans Penine Trail (Route 66) signage is completely lost

in the cluttered industrial landscape. The proposed intervention will over time drive development that will respond directly to its improved connection with the city centre.

DEVELOPMENT CONFLICTS OF THE AIRE VALLEY SITE

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - AN INTUITIVE RESPONSE TO SITE Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

Thwaite Mills is clearly a destination point along the South East Aire Valley route however it doesn’t and isn’t making full potential of its location in relation to the city. Its opening hours are very restrictive with it being closed much of the week. It seems to only operate to educate children on its own history. It feels remote

and cut off from the rest as it has been swallowed by the engine room of Leeds, a landscape of sheds and lorries. Fly tipping reiterates its severance from its Leeds surroundings. The proposed intervention will reconnect this hidden gem with

DEVELOPMENT CONFLICTS OF THE AIRE VALLEY SITE

Leeds and the many other beautiful mills that line the River Aire.

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - AN INTUITIVE RESPONSE TO SITE

Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

URBAN

RURAL

SITE ANALYSIS

CHAPTER

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - THE SITE Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement The ‘Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement’ is part of the government sponsored EcoTown programme that were intended to achieve high standards of sustainability. The proposals plan to redevelop a vast section of South East Leeds into a sustainable place to live and work. It’s main objectives are to provide work for 27,000 people and homes for a further 3,000 people in a environmentally sustainable built environment. The word ‘eco’ and ‘sustainable’ are commonly used to brand a project. Current proposals in my opinion use the ‘eco’ title as a selling point and not as an opportunity to create a truly sustainable living quarter.

Sustainability does not just stop at how humans interact directly with their natural environment but should also point to a socially viable environment. Is it sustainable to build a settlement that in 30 years time may still be carbon neutral but has failed socially, such as the utopian Modernist and Post Modern visions? The initial purpose of this project is to analyse the current proposals and to position the Landscape Architect as master choreographer of the new development. And from this research implement an effective landscape action that will create not only a environmentally sustainable living quarter but also a socially sustainable dwelling.

INTRODUCTION TO THE LEEDS VALLEY ECO SETTLEMENT

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URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - THE SITE Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

The study area stretches south-east along the lower Aire Valley from the city centre down to the M1/A1 Link. It is a diverse mix of industrial and commercial which ranges The River Aire runs Armley Mills, Granary from small factory units to large-scale diagonally through Leeds Wharf, Leeds Train Station, distribution warehouses and heavy from the North West down Bridge Water Place, the industries. There are also significant areas of derelict and contaminated land. The to the South East. Along its proposed Leeds City Park, Aire Valley Leeds is well-placed as part of the Northern Way initiative (combining the regeneration of major cities area contains Thwaite Mills which is an androute regions in northern Englandattractions Office of Deputy Prime Minister are various TheODPM) Royal Armouries and industrial heritage centre, and Hunslet Mill, Design Framework.qxd 04/11/2005 11:01 Page 3 such as Kirkstall Abbey, Thwaite Mills. with the adjoining properties, that are being converted to residential.

“Landscape Urbanism is already getting shrouded in too much theory” Richard Weller

Aerial Photograph of the Area

Aire Valley Leeds is surrounded by the residential areas of Halton Moor, Osmondthorpe and Richmond Hill to the north, Hunslet to the west and Belle Isle to the south. To the east, Temple Newsam offers pleasant relief to the otherwise poor townscape.

DESIGN FRAMEWORK

The M621 and M1 motorways, although providing good access into the area, present barriers to movement from directly adjacent areas. The River Aire, the Aire & Calder Navigation, and the railway line running through the area also hinder movement, so there is generally poor permeability. This presents a major challenge to those regenerating the area. NB: NRA = Neighbourhood Renewal Area © Crown copyright. all rights reserved. Leeds City Council O.S. licence no. 100019567

CONTEXT

LOCATION & CONTEXT

AIRE VALLEY LEEDS

A DESIGN GUIDE FOR

Location

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - THE SITE Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement 1850

1000m

1900

1000m

PROCESS OF TIME - THE EXPANSION OF LEEDS

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - THE SITE Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement 1950

1000m

2010

1000m

PROCESS OF TIME - THE EXPANSION OF LEEDS

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - THE SITE Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

The Land use plan from ‘A Design Guide for Aire Valley Leeds’ shows the monofunctionality of the area. Dominated by industrial areas which disconnect the

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Page 6

connected various tracts of countryside. In order to succeed this monoscape needs to be addressed in order to become a successful living quarter of Leeds.

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opportunity to create one simple route that will form the main structure of the intervention. Envisioning how a linear green corridor and improved permeability across the river function will be key to the success of the proposed strategy.

Land Use

ADJOINING RESIDENTIAL AREAS CITY CENTRE (MIX OF USES) GENERALLY BUSINESS & EMPLOYMENT USES

indicative only

UTILITIES & WwTW COUNTRYSIDE & LANDSCAPED AREAS (including sites where vegetation is dominant)

USE EXISTING

DESIGN FRAMEWORK

KEY

Connectivity and Links

LINKS AND BARRIERS - Vehicle access to and from the city centre is tempered by the poor quality connections within and across the area - especially for pedestrians. Barriers include the river, Aire & Calder Navigation, motorways (M1 & M621), railway lines, Pontefract Lane and Pontefract Road. SEE PRINCIPLE 24

KEY PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE VEHICULAR BRIDGE UNDERPASS TRANS-PENNINE WAY

indicative only

ANALYSIS - Single use areas dominate the land use pattern. There is a problem of conflicting / bad neighbour uses. Few complementary uses have emerged to serve employment / businesses.

A DESIGN GUIDE FOR AIRE VALLEY LEEDS

A DESIGN GUIDE FOR

The River Aire is a physical barrier that restricts pedestrian and vehicular movement across it. There are numerous crossings however legibility is poor as you are continually transferred between the different sides of the river and canal. There is an

MOVEMENT

EXISTING LAND USE & CIRCULATION

EXISTING

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - THE SITE Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement Existing green structure is of vital importance to the enhancement of the green corridor. It acts as an important screening element to the unsightly industrial sites that line the river on both sides. Where the green is at itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highest quality is generally where the urban/

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rural balance is more to the centre of the scale. Which echoes the Landscape Urbanism sentiment that we should not oppose nature to culture and that possibly we should not oppose urbanity to rurality.

Page 10

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regeneration that Leeds as a City envisions for this area. It can be both be an engine room and a living room, where desirability goes hand in hand with workability.

Page 12

Landscape Structure

Spatial Hierarchy

A DESIGN GUIDE FOR AIRE VALLEY LEEDS

The rising form to the north-east allows the more distant landscape of Temple Newsam to provide a backdrop to soften and frame the study area.

indicative only

Other areas of vegetation have appeared randomly with natural regeneration on derelict or underused land.

EXISTING LANDSCAPE - The rural quality of landscape on the eastern edge of the area diminishes towards the city and there is a clear lack of landscape connection between the isolated parts in the area as a whole. ÂŠ Crown copyright. all rights reserved. Leeds City Council O.S. licence no. 100019567

SPACE EXISTING

KEY

EXISTING AREAS OF SIGNIFICANT PLANTING

KEY MOTORWAY CORRIDORS

Vehicle dominated barrier to cross movement

VEHICLE DOMINATED ROADS

(Pontefract Lane, Pontefract Road, Belle Isle Road etc, Knowsthorpe Lane)Poor pedestrian environments, carrying through traffic

TREE-LINED AVENUES

Roadways characterised by street trees

ACCESS ROADS & LINKS

Vehicular priority, only carrying local traffic

PEDESTRIAN / CYCLE ROUTES

Dedicated, landscaped routes, generally poor quality setting and/or isolated

RIVER CORRIDOR

(Waterfront Areas: Clarence, Hunslet Mill, Yarn/ Park, Thwaite Mill, Knowsthorpe, Link, Rural Edge, Rural/Lake) Isolated from surrounding with buildings treating the river as a back lane providing poor natural surveillance. Good provision for wildlife in parts

indicative only

The only vegetation of visual significance occurs along the watercourses and in specific locations such as the elevated belt of trees separating the WwTW and Cross Green Industrial Estate.

DESIGN FRAMEWORK

DESIGN FRAMEWORK 16

Currently the River Aire Valley study site is dominated by heavy transit roads and industry. The central river corridor provides a respite from this and if it can be enhanced into a top quality sustainable transport link I believe there is scope for a different type of urban

Aire Valley Leeds is characterised by lack of proper streets and spaces Generally existing streets are poor quality and vehicle dominant.

SPACE EXISTING

EXISTING GREEN SPACE & OPEN SPACE

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - LOCATION Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - LOCATION Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement In ‘A Design Guide for Aire Valley Leeds’ the council’s urban design team has set out a traditional urban to rural transition. It suggests the Aire Valley river corridor as mixed used with industrial and offices bleeding out to the surrounding rural and urban areas.

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Elizabeth Mossop describes contemporary urbanism as “An urban type that, unlike the traditional core/periphery model, is not focused on a dense middle but instead is a more fragmented matrix of discontinuous land uses.”

THREADS AND BANDING - Recent development interest has implied the possibility of broad land use themed bands across the area from east to west. SEE PRINCIPLES 1-5, 7-8

indicative only

URBAN - RURAL - The area changes radically from west to east (urban / city centre in the west to rural quality / park land in the east). SEE PRINCIPLE 26

SEE PRINCIPLES 4-5

NOTE: This land use work is indicative only and will be subject to further discussion and consultation during the Area Action Plan process as part of the Local Development Framework.

FUTURE

USE

DESIGN FRAMEWORK

Complementary mixed uses would be needed to enliven the area. The thread of mixed use along the river and the general change from rural in the east to urban in the west is an important layer of this concept.

A DESIGN GUIDE FOR AIRE VALLEY LEEDS

Land Use

Can the traditional Urban/ Rural boundaries be challenged? Urban = Central Rural = Periphery LEEDS CITY TRAIN STATION

PROPOSED LEEDS CITY PARK

URBAN

ROYAL ARMOURIES

YARN STEET REDEVELOPMENT

KNOSTRUP LOCKS

THWAITE MILLS

RURAL M1

TRADITIONAL URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - LOCATION Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement LEEDS CITY TRAIN STATION

Implementing a non traditional urban to rural transition where urban and rural can be experienced just around the corner from each other. Challenging people’s perspective on rural and urban landscapes.

BAN

RU ROYAL RAL ARMOURIES

A UR

RAL

YARN STEET AN REDEVELOPMENTRB

RAL

BAN

RURAL

KNOSTRUP LOCKS

BAN RU RAL UR THWAITE BAMILLS N RU

RUR A

URBAN

URB

URBAN

PROPOSED LEEDS CITY PARK

BAN

RURAL URBAN

RAL

BAN

N M1

NON TRADITIONAL URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - LOCATION Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

&)#*

## &)#*

Improving energy and efficiency of existing housing

New City Park at South Bank

New job opportunities and improved public transport routes to improve connections between communities

New public transport route and services

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Eco-homes creating a new sense of place at Skelton Gate

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New greenspace leading to St Aidans and Fairburn Ings

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Thwaite Mills Watermill Museum

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Sustainable transport options will help improve accessibility and integrate Aire Valley with the city

Leeds Valley Park high quality design,energy efficient offices

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And herein lies the problem. The proposals attempt to regenerate an monofunctional area of Leeds into a livable and sustainable settlement.

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Current proposals within the Aire Valley Site do not advocate the use of Landscape in the way that Landscape Urbanism stipulates. Proposals point to design where the landscape is very much secondary, where the countryside is indiscriminately changed to accommodate a vast increase in industrial use in the area.

Bringing new uses to historic buildings " ! !

However the objectives of the proposal cater for only 3,000 new inhabitants but plan to create 27,000 new jobs. This is a highly unbalanced ratio and

CURRENT PROPOSAL

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - LOCATION Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement would still be very much an industrial dominated zone. Altering these initial figures to a more balanced ratio would allow for a more socially viable solution. In conversations with the urban design team at Leeds City Council they indicated that a conservative approach would be implemented to urban form, referencing examples of more traditional and historical form in the vein of New Urbanism.

This preoccupation with the romantic images of a bygone urban past may lead to a great opportunity being missed. One that enhances the Landscape infrastructure of the Aire River Valley and provides a means to connecting this new eco settlement to Leeds. I am therefore of the opinion that Landscape Urbanism provides a better solution for the Aire Valley in terms of how successfully the area operates in years to come.

CURRENT PROPOSAL

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - LOCATION Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

“Our obsession with heritage is creating an artificial re-engineered version of our memory.” - Rem Koolhaas

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

ASPIRATIONS

CHAPTER

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - ASPIRATIONS Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

New areas for living and work

Linking urban Leeds with rural Rothwell

Embrace environmental constraints

Redefine existing structures

The aim of the project is to create a new living and working quarter for Leeds.

The intervention aims to create a variety of key spaces linked by the route where urban and rural landscape components interact spatially. Culture and nature in tandem and not opposed.

Flood risk will inform proposals with making room for the river being a key concept. Inclusive not defensive strategies will be implemented.

The intervention aims to enhance and embrace past and present built form along the route. Opportunities exist at Hunslet Mills, Knostrup Cut and Weir, Thwaite Mill, the M1 river crossing and Rothwell colliery.

Developments will utilise sustainable storm water management systems. Attempt to reduce need for the use of the individual car by connecting to sustainable transport modes such as bicycle highways. Provide space for suburban living in close proximity to the city whilst using land efficiently to produce a sustainable level of density

Create an Identity Protect the Urban & Rural The intervention will aim to protect and then enhance areas with positive urban or rural landscape characteristics by showcasing the potential impact they would have on proposals.

The intervention will aim to provide identity to their local communities by creating a series of destination components along the River Aire. This identity will form create centrality along the many districts across the masterplan.

Ecological Preserves The project will aim to enhance and provide for an improved biodiversity wherever possible by limiting human access to certain areas. The philosphy of you can see but you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t touch will apply.

LANDSCAPE MANIFESTO

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - ASPIRATIONS Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement From the intuitive site walk and existing area analysis completed by Leeds City Council I have defined a brief that looks at 3 key elements in the landscape. They are 6 key destinations, and the blue & green

DESTINATIONS

structure. The overall aim is tie them all together and create a new living and working quarter that uses the topography of the River Aire Valley as the back bone of its design.

BLUE STRUCTURE

EXISTING KEY SITE COMPONENTS

GREEN STRUCTURE

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - LOCATION Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

The six aspirational locations to be connected in order along the River Aire are Hunslet Mill, Knostrup Cut and Weir, Thwaite Mills, the M1 river crossing and Rothwell Country Park.

EXISTING KEY SITE COMPONENTS

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - ASPIRATIONS Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

CONNECTING THE KEY COMPONENTS

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - ASPIRATIONS Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

HOW AREAS WILL SPATIALLY INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - ASPIRATIONS Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

HUNSLET MILLS - A NEW CULTURAL INSTITUTION

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - ASPIRATIONS Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

KNOSTRUP CUT - REINVIGORATING EXISTING STRUCTURES

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - ASPIRATIONS Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

KNOSTRUP WEIR - A NEW BICYCLE HIGHWAY

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - ASPIRATIONS Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - LOCATION Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

THWAITE MILLS - A REJUVENATED ISLAND PARK

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - LOCATION Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - ASPIRATIONS Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

M1 RIVER AIRE CROSSING - A TEENAGE HANGOUT

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - ASPIRATIONS Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

ROTHWELL COUNTRY PARK - A LINK TO THE GREAT OUTDOORS

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - ASPIRATIONS Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - LOCATION Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - AN INTUITIVE RESPONSE TO SITE

Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

â&#x20AC;&#x153;landscape is emerging as a model for urbanism. Landscape has traditionally been defined as the art of organizing horizontal surfaces... By paying close attention to these surface conditions - not only configuration, but also materiality and performance - designers can activate space and produce urban effects without the weighty apparatus of traditional space makingâ&#x20AC;? - Stan Allen

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

CASE STUDIES

CHAPTER

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - CASE STUDIES Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

they are Living with Water (adapting to more frequent flooding), Making Space for Water (working with natural processes to provide space for the river) and Zero Carbon (Using on site renewable energy resources).

The above picture is not the only way to protect against flooding and the Life Handbook, a research project led by Baca Architects with support from LDA Design identifies ways in which flood risk management can be integrated with sustainable and responsible development. It calls on 3 principles to be integrated

The booklet divides the river into 3 catchments; Upper catchment, Middle catchment and Lower catchment. The river Aire is in the middle catchment when it reaches Leeds. In the middle catchment the Life Booklet advises to let rivers flow... â&#x20AC;&#x153;Flood volumes are too large to consider storing on site and it is far more important to allow floodwater to pass through the site to avoid flooding upstream.â&#x20AC;?

LONG-TERM INIATIVES FOR FLOOD-RISK ENVIRONMENTS (LIFE)

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - CASE STUDIES Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

The fact that the site is vulnerable to flooding is a constraint but what the LifE approach suggests that it can also be an opportunity. ‘The Living with Water’ approach that LifE advocates is applicable to the Aire Valley site and allows for innovative solutions to be incorporated into the development.

Eco Settlement’s are in a pioneering stage and Leeds has the opportunity to become a beacon in sustainability in how it deals with a very common global problem that is flooding by taking the LifE approach.

LONG-TERM INIATIVES FOR FLOOD-RISK ENVIRONMENTS (LIFE)

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - CASE STUDIES Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement Zone 3b Functional floodplain

Typically areas with areas greater than 1 in 20 year (5%) probability of flooding.

Zone 3a (i) High Probability

Areas with between 1 in 100 year (1%) and 1 in 20 year (5%) probability of flooding.

Zone 3a (ii) High Probability

Areas with between 1 in 100 year (1%) and 1 in 20 year (5%) probability of flooding.

Zone 2 Medium Probability

Areas with between 1 in 1000 year (0.1%) and 1 in 100 year (1%) probability of flooding.

River Aire

Landscape Urbanism looks at the city as an ecological process. It does not oppose culture and nature but sees them as part of the same ecology. One system that has a big effect on the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ecologyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of Aire Valley is the impact of flooding it has on Leeds.

1000m

AIRE VALLEY FLOOD MAP

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - CASE STUDIES Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

IC BL

PR SE IM RV AR IC Y ES PU

P BL ARK IC S RE & AL M

REGULAR FLOW

FF IC

IN DU

P BL ARK IC S RE & AL M

US IN

Addressing the flooding possibility by strategically positioning housing functions to the the north of the river and combining working places with green structure to the south. All new buildings will have be combined with effective urban ecosystems that will manage stormwater on site.

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - CASE STUDIES Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

COPENHAGEN HARBOUR BATHS

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - CASE STUDIES Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

If stormwater is managed using sustainable methods then there is the potential for to clean up the River Aire. This method was used in Copenhagenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s harbour and it is now clean enough to swim in.

Currently this is a long way off but by including an effective SUDS into the Aire Valley Eco Settlement there is the opportunity to set a precedent.

(Lange and Otterpohl, 1997)

COPENHAGEN HARBOUR BATHS

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - CASE STUDIES Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

sustainable methods of transport this is a positive first step however there is an obvious danger of implementing this pioneering service without the cycle infrastructure in place to support it. One only needs to face the chaotic car dominated road system outside of Leeds Station to be put off cycling for life.

Cycling as a main mode of transport is increasingly popular. As cities compete against each other on a global scale.

With the station being located so close to the sustrans Route 66 trail that runs along the Aire River Valley connecting Armley, the city centre, Hunslet and beyond. There is an ideal opportunity to properly connect the proposed interesting development for developments along the the city of Leeds as it tries whole of the Aire River to implement aLeeds city wideCyclePoint Valley to the centre of Leeds cycling strategy. With more justifying and supporting a and more people choosing Cyclepoint within Leeds.

Welcome to

Leeds has recently gained the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first Cyclepoint which is a bike hire point located outside the main train station. This is an

LEEDS CITY CYCLE POINT

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - CASE STUDIES Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

Copenhagen is a city that is at the forefront of cycling infrastructure. With just 2% of journeys in the UK being on bicycles Copenhagen can boast a figure of 33% of people choosing to cycle over other methods of transport.

COPENHAGEN GREEN CYCLE ROUTES

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - CASE STUDIES Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement COPENHAGEN’S GREEN ROUTES... - A vision to promote safe cycling, attracting more people to cycle. - Bicycle highways that run along attractive green routes. - 22 green cycle routes covering over 100 kilometres, about a third

of which comprise existing cycle paths through parks. - Pilot project - the Nørrebro route runs alongside a former railroad. The Nørrebro route goes through highly urbanised areas, public squares, shopping malls, nurseries etc.

By implementing such a strong cycling network Copenhagen is making it a desirable place to live and work in. It regularly tops most livible city polls and its cycling infrastructure is key to its success.

NØRREBRO GREEN CYCLE ROUTE

Leeds has along way to go before it can be mentioned in the same breath as Copenhagen but by implementing a green route that connects North West with South East it would set a precedent to promoting Leeds nationally as bike friendly city.

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - CASE STUDIES Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

The cycle route crosses numerous main roads and pedestrian paths, sometimes taking priority over the road. Nørrebro pedestrian and cycle bridge (below) which impressively spans the 6 lane Ågade highway.

NØRREBRO GREEN CYCLE ROUTE

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - CASE STUDIES Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

The Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement is a government initiative and is therefore a politically driven project. It’s aim is to create 30,000 jobs with upto 3,000 new homes in the predominantly industrial area of SouthEast Leeds. The aim is essentially an economic one.

The Madrid Rio project comes from the winner of Alberto Ruiz Gallardón’s mayoral elcection campaign in 2003. The future mayor instigated a major infrastructure development project. Using a thriving economy he placed emphasis on improvements to housing

and the public realm. It wasn’t a quick fix but he was targeting basic structural renewal for the benefit of future generations. No one knew what the finished product would be but what was important was that a strategy was put in place.

Traditionally Landscape Architecture presents itself as an innocent profession not often linked with politcal leanings... Madrid Rio project as a politcal means.

MADRID RIO RIVER PROJECT - LANDSCAPE AS A POLITICAL MEANS

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - CASE STUDIES Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

West 8 are referenced alot in Landscape Urbanism texts and a key concept in how they approach a design is something they call ‘Second Nature’ whereby they exploit different opportunities to

utilise water, topography and vegetation. A strategy to build the landscape in advance of the city, even if the layout and functions of the city have not been defined.

MADRID RIO RIVER PROJECT - LANDSCAPE AS A POLITICAL MEANS

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - CASE STUDIES Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

Avenida de Portugal (2007) An important and long straight road into the centre of Madrid, it runs from the banks of Manzanares out to the Casa de Campo (the kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former hunting ground)

Before

By placing the road and parking into a tunnel it

was possible to convert the car dominated space into a linear green space that echoes that of Copenhagenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sondre Boulevard. There is a lack of green space in Leeds and seemingly impossible interventions are very possible as ths avenue shows.

After

The overall aim of the project is to reclaim a neglected river and create a new urban quarter by landscape means alone. In the same way I plan to create green infrastructure that will form underlying foundations of the Aire River Valley project.

The development was divided into a trilogy of initial strategic projects that establish a basic structure which then aim to act as a solid foundation for a number of further projects

MADRID RIO RIVER PROJECT - LANDSCAPE AS A POLITICAL MEANS

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - CASE STUDIES Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement The trilogy of projects are a river walk, park and an urban ensemble that had become severed a motorway. 47 sub-projects were created as a result of the main trilogy strategy. These various squares, boulevards and parks, bridges were designed to improve connections

between the urban districts along the river. In the sameway I have created key landscape components within the Aire Valley site that will form the basic foundations of any future development.

After

Before

Salon de Pinos (2010) a linear green space that will link the existing and newly designed urban spaces along the Manzanares River. A vernacular of Pine planting from Madridâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nearby mountain region. A resilient tree that grows on rocky surfaces.

MADRID RIO RIVER PROJECT - LANDSCAPE AS A POLITICAL MEANS

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - CASE STUDIES Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

Salon de Pinos (above) allows a variety of users to experience a space differently. There is space for cyclists, faster or slower moving pedestrians. There will be scope for similar spaces in the more densely populated areas of the Aire Valley.

MADRID RIO RIVER PROJECT - WEST 8

Bridges used as part of the landscape... The Puentes Cascara or Shell Bridge (above) allows the river to be experienced rather than a typical pedestrian bridge. It is more than just a functional component in the landscape.

URBAN TO RURAL TRANSITIONS - BIBLIOGRAPHY Leeds Aire Valley Eco Settlement

References

Corner, J (2006) Terra Fluxus. In Waldheim, C (2006) The Landscape Urbanism Reader. New York. Princeton Architectural Press Jacobs, J (1961) The Death and Life of Great American Cities. In Larice, M. & E. Macdonald (2007) (eds.) The Urban Design Reader. London Girot, C (2006) Vision in motion: Representing Landscape in time, In Waldheim, C (2006) The Landscape Urbanism Reader. New York. Princeton Architectural Press Mossop, E (2006) Landscapes of infrastructure, In Waldheim, C (2006) The Landscape Urbanism Reader. New York. Princeton Architectural Press Weller, R (2006) An art of instrumentality: Thinking through Landscape Urbanism, In Waldheim, C (2006) The Landscape Urbanism Reader. New York. Princeton Architectural Press Girot, C (2007) New Landscape Topology for Flood Control, Topos 60 - Challenges, p 70 - 76. Corner, J (2010) Landscape Urbanism in the Field, Topos 71 - Landscape Urbanism, p 25-29. Gueze, A (2010) Landscape Urbanism in the Field, Topos 71 - Landscape Urbanism, Waldheim, C (2010) Landscape Urbanism in the Field, Topos 71 - Landscape Urbanism, Dobrick, C (2009) Madrid Rio: Landscape Architecture as political means, Topos 70 - Infrastructure Hartman, H (2009) Thoughts on Copenhagen: Baca Architects, The Architects Journal, (online) available at: http://www. architectsjournal.co.uk/news/daily-news/thoughts-on-copenhagen-baca-architects/5210121.article (accessed 14/04/2011). Baca Architects (2009) The LifE Handbook, Bracknell: IHS Bre Press Tamir, K (2007) Rio Piedras Restoration Project, Topos 59 - Water Design and Management, p 67 - 73