Landscape development plan

Landscape development

The University of Leeds landscape has the potential to create vivid memories for students, space for relaxation and social space for meeting friends

To compliment the academic achievements of the University, its students and its staff, the aim is to become a University with a reputation for outstanding performance on sustainability; a university that challenges the status quo, is renowned for its open, welcoming campus environment and continues to be a global centre for excellence in teaching, research and innovation.

Key aims

Prioritise campus for pedestrians

Be exemplar of urban biodiversity

Create campus’ sense of place

Key development principles

The design of the Landscape Development plan has been influenced by a number of overarching principles

AN INSPIRATIONAL CAMPUS ENVIRONMENT

It is important for our campus landscape to be an inspiring place which encourages innovation, live research, learning and discovery.

A COHESIVE CAMPUS ENVIRONMENT

The visitor experience, from the minute people arrive, should ensure a recognisable, cohesive environment through innovative interventions.

REVITALISED AND DYNAMIC PUBLIC SPACES

Invigorated, high-quality public spaces should form a network of hubs across the campus which encourage a diversity of activity.

HIGH QUALITY PUBLIC SPACES AND STREETSCAPES

Use carefully considered materials to set the precedent for the creation of high quality public open spaces and streetscapes.

A SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS LANDSCAPE

The campus landscape will be underpinned by and promote our values of sustainability becoming a living lab for sustainable solutions.

SPACE FOR PEOPLE TO RELAX AND SOCIALISE

Public realms should attract and encourage students, staff and visitors to make the most of university facilities and enjoy campus life.

SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE PUBLIC SPACES

High-quality arrival points with a safe and comfortable route creating a more pedestrian-orientated environment.

AN ECOLOGICALLY BIODIVERSE CAMPUS

Become an exemplar of urban biodiversity, creating a biodiverse environment and provide ecological corridors within the city.

SENSITIVELY INTEGRATED INTERVENTIONS

A coordinated range of materials and planting palettes should compliment the already existing campus infrastructure.

ROBUST AND DURABLE LANDSCAPES

The new public realm must be robust and maintainable, retaining a high quality environment for the future and in a cost effective manner.

View the full plan

One of the key steps to unlocking the potential of the University is to redefine the quality of the landscape and public realm within the University estate; improving under-utilised spaces, reducing areas of car parking and roads and enriching these spaces and routes with developments, such as new University squares and courts, productive gardens, rain gardens and green infrastructure.

This strategy involves the promotion of sustainability as a key concept throughout the campus by greening, improved water management, promotion of wildlife habitats and by bringing wider sustainability elements into the public eye, including access, well being and community engagement.

The Landscape Development plan sets out the high-level principles which should be followed for the next 15 years.

View the Landscape Development Plan (PDF)