How Leeds is looking to the past to help shape the city's future
A rich ribbon of culture is at the core of Leeds's heritage scene, from its great historic buildings and vibrant festivals to the beating heart of its industrial past.
Now the city council has unveiled its first heritage blueprint, celebrating Leeds’s independent spirit and distinct features.
The goal, say leaders, is to shape the role that heritage can play in Leeds’ future and building it better for years to come.
David Hopes, head of Leeds Museums and Galleries, said: “This framework recognises that heritage is not only about the past, it is an active force in shaping the future of Leeds.
"We are proud to have contributed to a project grounded in collaboration, participation and shared civic identity.”
Independent Spirit: A Heritage Framework was commissioned by Leeds City Council and carried out by cultural insight consultancy Wafer Hadley.
Among those involved have been The Royal Armouries, British Library, Leeds Civic Trust and The Henry Moore Foundation alongside Thackray Museum of Medicine, Harewood House and West Yorkshire Archives Service.
Heritage, the blueprint outlines, can be defined by anything that is passed from one generation to the next.
That could be buildings, from Sunny Bank Mills to Harewood House, or landscapes with the city's canals and waterways. It could also be the city's stories, its West Indian Carnival, sport or its familiar foods, traditions and beliefs.
The blueprint was launched at the UK Real Estate and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF), hosted in the city last week to lead discussions on investment and regeneration.
The goal is to strengthen communities, the report says, with close to 1,000 people taking part in consultations or surveys.
A series of strands have been identified – to involve children and young people and harness that sense of pride. It also sets out a vision to express Leeds' distinctive heritage with confidence.
There are also ideas around protecting heritage through regeneration, particularly sites at risk, to boost the economy.
Some examples could be a community grants programme, the blueprint stated, fuelling projects around untold stories, or a heritage programme for the city centre.
There could be a schools' exchange, linking those in different neighbourhoods, or short courses, masterclasses and mentoring.
Coun Salma Arif, the council’s executive member for culture, said: “Launching Independent Spirit during UKREiiF signals the level of ambition of the council and our partners regarding the city’s unique heritage assets – to protect what makes us special while delivering social value for the city’s residents and businesses.”