DOI 10.5673/sip.50.2.

5
UDK 711.454:316.334.56(410 Leeds)
Pregledni rad

Urban regeneration effects on industrial

heritage and local community – Case study:
Leeds, UK*

Jasna Cizler
PhD student at Faculty of Architecture, Department of Urban Studies,
University of Belgrade, Serbia
e-mail: cizlerj@gmail.com

ABSTRACT The paper examines the current policy, practices and the outcome of ur-
ban regeneration in Leeds, with a special focus on the industrial heritage of the city.
It uses a critical and analytical problem-oriented approach. Due to its architectural,
social, historical and technological significance, industrial heritage is a recognised
factor of the identity of many cities today and is often associated with interests of the
local community. As a former industrial city, Leeds has a number of unused indus-
trial buildings and a lot of potential for developing on this base. Still, as the research
shows, regeneration projects mostly focus on the promotion of commercial facilities
and attempt to attract primarily tourists, students and young professionals to the city.
Regeneration causes effects such as gentrification, lack of public facilities and the local
community involvement and the loss of the sense of place. Some examples of alterna-
tive projects in Leeds are researched and different approaches to the city development
suggested. A holistic and integral approach, oriented towards the needs of the local
community is recognised as a possible direction for the future development.

Key words: urban regeneration, gentrification, local community, industrial heritage, Leeds.
S o c i o l o g i j a i p r o s t o r

* This paper is a result of the research carried out at School of Geography, University of
Leeds, United Kingdom, from September 1st to November 28th, 2010. Financial support
for research was provided by The British Scholarship Trust and is gratefully acknowl-
edged. I am grateful to Paul Waley, Rachael Unsworth and David Bell who supervised
my work at School of Geography, and to all of those who supported me in any respect
during the completion of the project.

Copyright © 2012 Institut za društvena istraživanja u Zagrebu – Institute for Social Research in Zagreb
Sva prava pridržana – All rights reserved
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 Sociologija i prostor, 50 (2012) 193 (2): 223-236

1. Introduction

Many authors and documents tell about industrial heritage and its significance in
cities today (Stratton, 2000.; TICCIH, 2003.; Edensor, 2005.; Mihajlov, 2009.). Due
to its architectural, social, historical and technological significance, it could be an
important factor in city’s identity1 and can have a role in urban regeneration and
serve as a catalyst for it.

Leeds has rich cultural and industrial heritage, and therefore a lot of potential for
developing a strong image on this base. Still, the city tries to achieve distinctive-
ness and identity through selling and presenting itself as a centre for shopping and
business, and through different iconic projects. Urban regeneration projects attract
a lot of attention and a lot of money is being invested in them - while economically
prosperous, this kind of development causes gentrification and it is not responding
to major problems in the city, such as the gap between different social groups and
continuous existence of deprived areas. Despite the fact that many regeneration
projects have been awarded for its design, they have also been a topic of criticism
and consequences can be seen in bad design, exclusiveness and lack of public facili-
ties. Dominance of corporate-led development and private investments, and attempt
to attract primarily tourists, students and young professionals to the city, result in
achieving only partial success in addressing main city problems.

What happens with listed buildings and industrial architecture in this kind of system?
Why not building on the existent values and getting the character and distinctiveness
that city possesses into the offer? Very often, listed industrial buildings are preserved
to a certain degree only in order to satisfy heritage regulations - the aim is to have
them properly maintained and safeguarded, which often means just keeping the
façade of the building and changing the rest. The problem is not only about the
design of the valuable building itself, but about loosing the specific sense of place
that former industrial areas have to offer. Possible role of industrial heritage in ur-
ban regeneration and its significance as a memory to local people are other topics
connected with this. Arts and culture are often used in these spaces successfully,
contributing to the city as a whole. In that way, industrial heritage is a tool for im-
proving the city’s image and generating stronger identity, being catalyst for urban
regeneration and contributing to the local community and economy, as it is shown
through many examples world-wide.
S o c i o l o g i j a i p r o s t o r

Is a different approach to urban regeneration needed if wanting to preserve “the

sense of place”, image and identity in Leeds? Some examples of alternative space
uses can be seen in Leeds. If we talk about industrial heritage as an important factor
for the community, identity and economy, is it possible that developing this kind of
approach would contribute more to solving the crucial problems in the city?

1
“Identity is the extent to which a person can recognize or recall a place as being distinct
from other places – as having a vivid, or unique, or at least a particular, character of its own”
(Lynch, 1981.:131).
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 J. Cizler: Urban regeneration effects on industrial heritage...

This paper is a result of a research that aimed to examine current policy, practice
and effects of regeneration of former industrial sites in Leeds, with focus on Hold-
back Urban Village project. It aims to examine the current policy regarding the
industrial heritage and urban regeneration, to investigate the processes of bringing
industrial sites back into use and to consider how these transformations affected a
city. Research methods and techniques that were used are: case-study; overview of
previous research, documents and literature; interviews with relevant stakeholders;
and on-site data collection and observation.

2. Leeds and its industrial heritage

Leeds is one of the largest cities in England and the regional capital of Yorkshire
and the Humber, with population of about 715.000 (2001 UK census). It is a service
centre of the region for health-care, higher education, legal, financial and business
services, and has a strategic position half way between London and Edinburgh.
Origins of the city date back to before 11th century. Until recently it was consid-
ered to be the archetypal northern industrial city. Wool and textile industry and
international trade brought prosperity to the city in 18th century and growth and
prosperity began as a result of industry, when investments in covered markets and
infrastructure started. The first woollen factory in the world was established in Leeds
in 1790s. Industry started to become more and more diversified, with engineering,
printing, pottery soap, tanning, shoe making, chemicals and clothing being added
to the textile industry.

Aside from development, industry has brought major environmental problems to

the city: derelict industrial buildings, contaminated land, large areas of poor quality
housing and social problems. In 20th century changes in economy caused changes in
use of sites in central city area, with old industrial buildings being demolished or re-
used. Importance of manufacturing industries declined and they were replaced with
consumer, financial and science industries. What has left was a significant number
of valuable industrial buildings and there are now 30 listed buildings only within the
Holbeck Urban Village today2 (Percival, 2008.).

Nuttgens wrote that Leeds has an image problem as a place that is difficult to read
and understand about three decades ago (Nuttgens, 1979.). Did anything much
S o c i o l o g i j a i p r o s t o r

change since then? There are still few wholly positive images which the City Council
feels able to use to depict the central area as being vibrant and lively urban envi-
ronment (Smales, 1994.). City lacks distinctiveness, coherence and unifying strategy
(Woroncow in Unsworth and Stillwell, 2008.). There is a lot of unrealized potential
in the city, such as river Aire and historic buildings.

2
A listed building in the United Kingdom is a building that has been placed on the Statutory
List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. There are three types of listed
status: Grade I (buildings of exceptional interest, sometimes considered to be internation-
ally important), Grade II* (particularly important buildings of more than special interest) and
Grade II (buildings that are nationally important and of special interest).
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 Sociologija i prostor, 50 (2012) 193 (2): 223-236

Many authors write about significance of heritage buildings and their relation to lo-
cal community and identity of the space. Heyden and Castello (Heyden, 1995.; Cas-
tello, 2006.) emphasize significance of memory and history in people’s perception
of the space and creation of personal identity. English Heritage documents (English
Heritage, 2004.; 2009.) look at historical surrounding as factor that gives people
feeling of identity and tell about its importance in regeneration, since people define
themselves and their identity through places where they live. Industrial heritage is
a memory about the life of ordinary people and was an everyday surrounding for
generations of workers, example of industrial progress, significant for its architec-
ture, and as a local landmark (TICCIH, 2003.; Industrial heritage: the hidden face
of European identity, 2004.). This could be particularly important in the time of
globalization and homogenization of cultures, identities and spaces. Edensor (Eden-
sor, 2005.) writes about alternative aesthetics of industrial ruins and its importance
in over-designed modern cities where commercial influences dominate. He draws
attention to various activities that take place in industrial ruins and warned about
their eradication through policies that privilege homogenous new developments.
Mihajlov also writes about significance of industrial heritage re-use and about how
industrial heritage renewal can solve social problems in the city (Mihajlov, 2009.). A
number of authors focus on adaptation and re-use of former industrial buildings as
methods for improvement of space, creation of a place image, economic growth and
promotion. Cities often aim to create their own specialty that can be promoted in
order to achieve further benefits. Cities that have gone through industrial decline are
enforced to create new options for economic growth and development, and iden-
tification of specialities such as industrial heritage, can have a positive effect. Still,
as following chapters will show, though heritage is important factor for attracting
investments, attention should be drawn on dominantly private-led, business friendly
development as threatening factor.

3. A critical analysis of regeneration of former industrial areas in Leeds –

positive example of urban regeneration or missed opportunity?

3.1. UK regeneration policy and urban regeneration practice in Leeds

From the 1990s more holistic approach to planning and development was adopted
S o c i o l o g i j a i p r o s t o r

and a plan-led system of planning has operated since then. In 1999 Government
made an Urban Task Force final report, Towards a Strong Urban Renaissance3,
which was later carried forward into the Urban White Paper in 2000 by DETR4.

3
The Urban Task Force was faced with 3 specific urban challenges: decline of regional inner-
city areas and communities, an official prediction of a requirement for 4 million additional
households, and suburban sprawl consuming greenfield sites, causing social and economic
decline within inner-city areas.
4
DETR (Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions) operated until 2001 and
after that replaced with DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and
DTRL (Department for Transport, Local Government and Regions).
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 J. Cizler: Urban regeneration effects on industrial heritage...

These two documents on urban planning and development set agenda for an ur-
ban renaissance. The Government sets a national policy framework and provides a
regulatory regime for local authorities for the treatment of the historic environment.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has responsibility for the identifi-
cation, conservation and enhancement of the historic built environment in England.
The Office of Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) has responsibility for managing the
environment through the planning and development control regime and a general
role in promoting regeneration in deprived areas. English Heritage has a role to
protect the historic environment and promote awareness and understanding of it.

Government planning policy is encouraging higher residential densities in new de-

velopment whilst insisting nationally that at least 60 per cent of all new housing
should be developed on previously developed land. It is hoped that this approach
will address the shortfall in new housing, protect greenfield sites and create a more
“European” style urbanism (Haughton, 2009.). It is important to draw attention to
the link between derelict land and social deprivation. As Grubovic wrote (Grubovic,
2002.), majority of brownfield sites are inner-urban ex-industrial districts with large
amounts of derelict land and buildings and they suffer from concentrated social
deprivation. New programs, such as Urban Task Force (UTF), are not reconciled
with programs concerned with social exclusion, and as such, they can even make
gentrification5 easier: “However, physical regeneration, which is offered by UTF is
not enough. It must be supported by social and economic regeneration. Beside the
good solutions, like mixed land use and creation of the pedestrian zones, UTF might
create more problems, if it does not include social and economic dimension – like
social exclusion and gentrification in British cities” (Grubovic, 2002.). Concepts of
social inclusion and narrowing the gap are present in most official documents on
Leeds development. One of Leeds City Council’s main priorities is to narrow the gap
between the most disadvantaged communities and the rest of Leeds.

24 Hour City Conference in 1993 articulated a vision for the city based on ideas
of “European-ness” and city being the “Barcelona of the north”, with 24 hour café
society and city centre living. City centre living and living in new developments are
promoted as an “urban idyll” – defined by Tallon (2010.) as idyllic city environment
designed to attract middle-class gentrifiers. Holbeck, former industrial area of the
city, today dominated by small-scale industrial units, is being re-branded as a Hol-
beck Urban Village (HUV). It is a multi-million pound regeneration programme that
S o c i o l o g i j a i p r o s t o r

suppose to be an example of urban sustainability. The official planning framework

for the area states that the aims of the redevelopment are to establish a new cre-
ative quarter; to strengthen Leeds’ role as a regional business centre; to provide an
employment; to deal with social exclusion; to improve the connection with the city

5
Gentrification is a process of physical, economic, social and cultural transformation of the
area, resulting in an extension of the property system of the private ownership of domestic
property, resettlement and possibly even marginalisation of former residents, by introduc-
ing individuals who share the same cultural lifestyle and consumer preferences. Its negative
effects are mostly felt by the less well-off and displaced households and business (Tallon,
2010.).
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 Sociologija i prostor, 50 (2012) 193 (2): 223-236

centre; to preserve the area’s unique heritage; and to create a sustainable community
with a distinctive sense of place (Leeds City Council 2006.; Holbeck Urban Village
website, 2010.). Still, reality is often different than it was predicted and presented.

Holbeck Urban Village area is dominated by low value industrial uses from the
post-war period, most of them being derelict. Historical monuments include Grade
1 listed Temple Works and the Grade 2 listed Tower Works, and much of the area
is also covered by one of two conservation areas.

Granary Wharf is regenerated area of the HUV. Despite the rhetoric on preservation
of heritage, only few historical buildings were left. Warehouse from 1777 is now
used for offices and a restaurant. Neighbouring Round Foundry complex is a former
engineering works built in 1795–1797 comprising of 7 listed buildings. The complex
consists of 7,000m² of offices, apartments, restaurants, cafés, newsagent and a small
art gallery. Redevelopment project won a number of architectural awards including:
Best Creative Land Use and Best Urban Centre by Yorkshire Urban Renaissance
Awards in 2005; Project of the Year by RICS Regeneration Awards in 2005; Excel-
lence in Architecture and Built Environment and Best Commercial, Industrial and
Retail by RIBA Yorkshire White Rose Awards in 2005. Across the road is a Marshall’s
Mill complex that consists of Grade II listed former flax spinning Marshall’s mill and
Marshall’s court, built in 1791-1792 and used to employ over 2000 workers. Different
architecture practices were commissioned to do the project in order to introduce di-
versity and make design that will evoke the materials used in the past. Future plans
include a regeneration scheme utilising land around Marshalls Mill to create a new
neighbourhood with a mix of residential, business space, offices, workshops, cafes,
galleries and small local retail.

3.2. Regeneration outcomes and local community issues

Despite all the rhetoric in policy and many architectural awards gained, it could be
seen that most of the project focuse on new comercial and residental facilities that
are changing the social structure and habits of area inhabitants. “It is interesting to
note that many gentrification proposals are claiming that they are constructing new
public spaces” (Čaldarović and Šarinić, 2008.:376). Real public spaces are places
S o c i o l o g i j a i p r o s t o r

“…where city life can easily be manifested and not scrutinized into pre-organized
forms and schedules. Public spaces have their histories, their tradition, their own
layers, they are full of memories of past generations and of existing people that re-
member past issues. Public spaces must be opened 24 hours in a day, they must be
open for all citizens of a certain city or any kind of visitors” (Čaldarović and Šarinić,
2008.:376). As pictures show, this was not achieved in Leeds regeneration (Figures
1 and 2).

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 J. Cizler: Urban regeneration effects on industrial heritage...

Figures 1 and 2
Entrance zone of the redesigned Marshall’s Mill: large parking area, walls and gates dominate the space,
thus denying engagement and interaction with passers-by. There is a lack of services that attract people
to come to the area, especially after the working hours

At the same time, “Job of selling places appears to be easier if there remains a sem-
blance of historic continuity, especially if this sense of history” (Smales, 1994.). In-
dustrial heritage is being used as a catalyst for promoting the space and for creating
its image. It is similar when sustainability issues are concerned: “…at Tower Works
I have observed ‘the messy process of negotiation and deal making that underpins
the business of actually getting buildings built on the site’ (Evans, Jones, 2008.) and
I have seen how sustainability is itself a story, or ‘a grounded phenomenon, situated
in place and performed by actors and institutions’” (Bell, 2009.).

Since regeneration in Leeds is mostly delivered through private sector, local author-
ity is often under the pressure to accept the proposals that will generate most in-
come. Government has little influence on the processes and absence of large-scale
public sector involvement results in the lack of the coherence between projects and
producing “islands in the city” (Figures 3 and 4). Another result of this is lack of
places that do not generate the income, such as cultural facilities and public spaces
(Unsworth and Smales, 2004.). At the same time, cultural policy, with its opportu-
nistic and pragmatic approach (greater emphasis on cultural tourism and the pur-
suit of large-scale initiatives, than on community-oriented arts development), relates
more to the needs of the tourist industry than to community regeneration (Strange,
S o c i o l o g i j a i p r o s t o r

1996.). As a result, some areas in the city centre are exclusively private-sector led.
According to Chatterton and Hodkinson, this is a cause for concern considering that
these are some of the last remaining central development sites and current schemes
are based almost exclusively on high value city living apartments and offices for
large firms (Chatterton and Hodkinson, 2007.a). This kind of schemes are entitled
as “playground for tourists, students, wealthy and professional business class” and
described as threatening to local context, activity and democratic control. Result is
an increasingly corporate-owned city, with further consequences such as the loss
of public assets, public and green space and limited social infrastructure6 (Chatter-

6
Some sources indicate that no doctors’ facilities or supermarkets have been provided for the
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 Sociologija i prostor, 50 (2012) 193 (2): 223-236

ton and Hodkinson, 2007.a; 2007.b; Haughton, 2009.). On a larger scale this results
with too expensive and elitist projects being adjacent to the back to back housing
of poorer areas such as Holbeck and Beeston7. Urban scale of urban regeneration
projects is very limited and boundaries are set by property boundaries.

Figures 3 and 4
Landscapes of contrast in Holbeck

Regarding the design of the new projects on former industrial land, Haughton
(2009.) expressed a lot of concern and critics saying that most apartments look the
same and could be located in almost any city. He also writes on poor design, poor
quality public space, inadequate provision of green space, badly sited residential
blocks surrounded by busy and noisy roads, presenting a largely blank wall to the
street, denying engagement and interaction with passers-by. Some even called them
“the slums of the future” (architect Maxwell Hutchinson, 2006. in Haughton, 2009.).

Figure 5
Whose heritage? Whose open space? Victoria Quays neighbourhood with “PRIVATE RESIDENTS ONLY”
sign and a chain on a pedestrian bridge. At the same time, Victoria Quays website offeres a different
rhetoric: “A Haven in the Heart of the City” “Come and enjoy our friendly village atmosphere in wonder-
ful surroundings…”
S o c i o l o g i j a i p r o s t o r

residents of the new area in Holbeck and that there is little provision for children and families.
7
Social aspect of the regeneration and its effect on Beeston and Holbeck neighbourhoods is
a topic of a “Ripples Out”, a 45-minute documentary that explores the impact that regenera-
tion had on poorer communities in Leeds.
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 J. Cizler: Urban regeneration effects on industrial heritage...

Gentrification is another phenomenon connected with urban regeneration projects

in Leeds. Though one of City Council’s priorities is to narrow the gap between the
most disadvantaged communities and the rest of Leeds, with people forced out of
their low cost rented homes, a gap seams only to grow. Instead of addressing prob-
lems and bringing affordable housing, number of exclusive, over-priced residential
high-rise buildings grows and developers avoid building affordable homes8: “…
house price increases force the poorer out of their own communities, and can dis-
place them to cheaper parts of the city region… …This raises the moral issue - why
should people be forced out of their low cost social rented home and forced into
long-term debt to buy an expensive one?” (Chatterton and Hodkinson, 2007.b).

Privately-owned city centre sites bring to question local democracy and public con-
trol (Figure 5). After selling public services and property to global companies, less
direct power of local representatives is left to respond to the urgent problems of
the day such as climate change, social inequality and workers’ rights (Chatterton
and Hodkinson, 2007.b). Result is the loss of public assets and public space, and
increasingly corporate-owned city. “One danger in the overlap of regeneration and
gentrification is of producing very bland, monocultural developments, comprising
young professionals without children housed in soulless, generic buildings. This
may be the opposite of the policy rhetoric, but in the UK over the last decade, this
kind of development has happened all too frequently” (Tallon, 2010.).

Another issue related to gentrification is a displacement of the original employment

base as rents rise and owners are tempted to sell out or move. On the official HUV
website there is information about improving connectivity and access to jobs for sur-
rounding neighborhoods, but local jobs are simultaneously being displaced. “Work-
ers on the low road9 are actually the backbone of the Leeds economy — without
them, the higher value jobs cannot function. The lack of affordable housing across
the city and particularly in the more desirable green leafed suburban neighbor-
hoods threatens economic growth… …What we are seeing is the ‘Brazilianisation’
of the housing market, with key workers (increasingly migrants) commuting large
distances from outlying towns such as Huddersfield and Dewsbury just to service,
clean and run the essential components of Leeds’ booming city centre economy
(Chatterton and Hodkinson, 2007.b).
S o c i o l o g i j a i p r o s t o r

4. Is a different approach possible?

Smales and Powell wrote on commercialism, economic survival and ideas of Eu-
ropeanness as threats to Leeds’ development, and about necessity to look at city’s

8
City’s gap in affordable housing is one of the worst in UK and it is determined to demolish
between 5,000 and 10,000 council homes over the next ten years as part of major regeneration
programmes (Chatterton and Hodkinson, 2007.b).
9
Poverty pay, short-term, part-time jobs in the service, retail, leisure and catering sectors
(Chatterton and Hodkinson, 2007.b).
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 Sociologija i prostor, 50 (2012) 193 (2): 223-236

unique characteristics when planning its development sixteen years ago: “If there
is a lesion to be learnt from Leeds, it is that the projects which appear to work best
are those rooted in a clear understanding of a city’s unique characteristics. Any at-
tempt to create a re-vitalized image that is based upon superficial perceptions of
what constitutes a “good European city” will inevitably lead to urban environments
that are little more than a kit of badly assembled, dangerously fragile parts” (Powell,
1992. in Smales, 1994.). But, did Leeds have to set aside its past, history and herit-
age in the name of economic survival? A need to promote the city in an increasingly
competitive market stands in contrast with the need to allow development of more
community-based and alternative cultural activity10. It is obvious that different ap-
proach is needed if wanting relate to main problems in the city. There is a need for
a more integrated, holistic and innovative approach, need for projects that enable
ownership, allowing people to adapt spaces to new uses, to colonize and revitalize
abandoned areas. Arts and other cultural disciplines should play more active role
in urban regeneration. Heritage, cultural production and small scale business are
unused potential for regenerating city life (Murray, 1999.).

Being critical towards the way city is developing, some local scholars have started a
search for different, alternative approaches. Among these is Paul Chatterton, Reader
at School of Geography at University of Leeds, who has worked with students and
local people on Plan B for Leeds and creation of manifesto for the city, aimed to
influence people to create fairer, equitable and sustainable future, through promot-
ing public engagement. City wide network “Love It Share It” also explores new
models for urban regeneration. Some examples of alternative space uses can be
seen in HUV area. If we talk about industrial heritage as an important factor for the
community and local identity, is it possible that developing this different approach
would contribute more to solving the crucial problems in the city? More community
sensible, art and culture, locally based projects probably would not provide more
money at the first stage, but if they deal more and better with issues that concern
the community, such as improvement of living conditions, public spaces and crime
prevention, they might be more sustainable as the long-term option.

Temple works, a former mill, is privately owned, but used by a non-profit group
which has through different projects brought artists and visitors into unused build-
ing. This is a Grade I listed building – one of only eight such buildings in central
Leeds. Since late 2009 it hosts different arts and culture events. Having a “buy noth-
S o c i o l o g i j a i p r o s t o r

ing policy”, all practical work to repair the building is done by volunteers or artists,
and old and second handed furniture is being used. At the same time, this is the
case when building that was privately owned throughout the history became a pub-
lic good11 due to its significance and meaning for local people (cultural, aesthetic,
social, historical, etc.) Production of public goods is today a multi-actor activity in

10
Cultural policy with its opportunistic and pragmatic approach, relates more to the needs
of the tourist industry than to community regeneration (Strange, 1996.).
11 Artefacts and values that are collectively used and available to large number of users; they
are non-rival and non-excludable.
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 J. Cizler: Urban regeneration effects on industrial heritage...

which state, civil sector, private investors and other relevant actors should be equaly
engaged, and partnership and transparency in decision making are main means of
protecting public good and interests of actors (Petovar and Vujošević, 2008.:43-44).

5. Conclusion

This paper is a result of research of the current policy, practice and effects of regen-
eration of former industrial sites in Leeds. Critical overview of the current issues in
Leeds’ development, such as lack of places that do not generate the income, domi-
nance of commercial projects and gentrification, has shown some general problems
in the city. These issues are also the main topics when it comes to industrial heritage
and is use.

It seems that Leeds is missing the opportunity to generate its identity from the past
while trying to build the new image and identity. As it was shown in the paper,
Leeds has a rich cultural and industrial heritage, and therefore a lot of potential for
developing the strong image on this base. But, instead of building on the existent
values and getting the character and varieties that city possesses into the offer, it
tries to achieve distinctiveness through presenting itself as a centre for shopping
and business, and through different iconic projects led by market forces. It is shown
that dominance of corporate-led development, commercial and private investments
results in achieving only partial success in regenerating the city and saving its herit-
age. Potentials such as waterfront and historic buildings are unrealized and the city
lacks distinctiveness and coherence.

There is no doubt that Leeds has been regenerated, and that most of the areas are
now in better state than few decades ago. Bad reputation and the perception of
industrial cities and areas such as Holbeck have changed. Still, new activities and
ways of life that have transformed them are questionable, and the real question is, as
Haughton (2009.) said, for whom, for whose tastes for whose profit this happened,
and why to such a poor effect in terms of quality of life?
It is shown that heritage is an important factor for attracting the investments, but
attempt was made in drawing the attention on dominantly private-led, business
friendly development as threatening factor when dealing with it. One of the crucial
questions about this is how can we deal with preservation of heritage for the local
S o c i o l o g i j a i p r o s t o r

people when architecture and cities are to such a big extent dependant on and led
by market tools? Heritage and especially industrial buildings have in recent decades
become not only a tool for promotion of certain image and conservation of memory
of industrial past, but also a marketing tool used to sell places under higher prices.
Marketing strategies and their role in urban regeneration and heritage use, could
be an interesting topic for future research, especially in Leeds and other UK cities
where market has such a big role in development.

As this paper has shown, there is a need for a more integrated and holistic approach
to planning and development in Leeds. Also, this paper tried to indicate the signifi-
cance of small scale, more innovative, community led projects that enable adapta-
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 Sociologija i prostor, 50 (2012) 193 (2): 223-236

tion of spaces to new uses by local people themselves. This kind of projects, as well
as arts and culture, should play bigger role in urban regeneration and management
of heritage.

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Pregledni rad

Jasna Cizler
Arhitektonski fakultet, Departman za urbanizam,
Univerzitet u Beogradu, Srbija
e-mail: cizlerj@gmail.com

Utjecaj urbane regeneracije na industrijsko nasljeđe i lokalnu zajednicu –

Studija slučaja: Leeds, UK

Sažetak

U radu se ispituju tekuća politika, praksa i rezultati urbane regeneracije u Leedsu, s posebnim
naglaskom na industrijskoj baštini grada. Ovo je pregledni rad s kritičkim i analitičkim
pristupom orijentiranim na problem. Zbog svog arhitektonskog, socijalnog, povijesnog i
tehnološkog značaja, industrijska baština je prepoznata kao značajna u identitetu mnogih
gradova i danas je često povezana s interesima lokalne zajednice. Kao bivši industrijski
grad, Leeds ima niz neiskorištenih industrijskih zgrada i mnogo potencijala za razvoj na toj
bazi. Ipak, kao što je istraživanje pokazalo, projekti regeneracije se fokusiraju na poticanje
komercijalnih funkcija, te se u grad pokušavaju privući prvenstveno turisti, studenti i mladi
profesionalci. Regeneracija uzrokuje gentrifikaciju, nedostatak javnih objekata i angažmana
lokalne zajednice, kao i gubitak karaktera prostora. Neki primjeri alternativnih projekata
u Leedsu su istraženi i predloženi su mogući drugačiji pristupi razvoju grada. Holistički i
integralni pristup, orijentiran prema potrebama lokalne zajednice je prepoznat kao mogući
pravac u kom bi se razvoj trebao kretati.

Ključne riječi: urbana regeneracija, gentrifikacija, lokalna zajednica, industrijska baština,

Leeds.
S o c i o l o g i j a i p r o s t o r

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