Climate Innovation District, Leeds

We are providing a holistic approach to the engineering on the development, with close collaborative working to provide an integrated civil, structural and transport solution that fully meets the environmental and sustainable aspirations of the client.  Citu have had very clear views on what they wanted to development to achieve, which is a low carbon living, and we have been working very closely with them to bring this vision to life.

Phase 1 of the development consists of 312 homes. Working closely with Citu we helped them develop their bespoke timber frame house types specifically for this site which are prefabricated in their on-site factory and constructed in a fraction of the time of traditional houses. The infrastructure has been designed to add as much value to the development as possible through enhanced biodiversity and amenity. One of the most comprehensive SuDS systems in the UK it combines a range of different methods for dealing with surface water run off. The fact that the development sits alongside the river is a great starting point for innovation in SuDS design, as all the surface water collected on site can be discharged into the river in a controlled way whilst also dealing with historic flooding issues. The entire landscape is permeable and functional, designed to mimics nature. The SuDS features also add amenity value for residents and the wider community. Every area is landscaped but still wholly functional eg despite the soft appearance, the areas are capable of being trafficked by emergency vehicles. Tree and shrubs, both new and existing across the site play a major part in reducing the volume of water reaching the river helping slow down surface water filtration. It is only during bigger rainfall events that the sub-base will be called into action, in normal conditions, water is collected within rain gardens. In addition to this, green roofs are provided on the homes, using the perennial herb Sedum Acre. This layer of vegetation retains rainwater and promotes evapotranspiration, providing a level of attenuation that will prevent large volumes of water pouring into the downpipes during sudden downpours.

Most of the streets and public realm within the CID have been designed to be car-free, with car parking tucked away beneath podium structures. This creates a safer and more attractive environment for residents to socialise and play. The most direct links to and through the development are for people travelling on foot and by bicycle, meaning that active travel is encouraged, which will impact positively on people’s health.  The landscape is designed to be vehicle free and look and feel more like community space and less like roads, but is able to carry maintenance and blue light vehicles when required.