OUGD405 - Leeds City Centre - Research

I have selected Leeds City centre as the environment for which I will produce a navigational way finding system. It is a city I know very well, and have done even before coming to live and study here for my foundation. Something I have recognised since is the amount of times I have been asked for directions to particular areas of the city; There is no real system to guide an individual to The Headrow, The Corn Exchange or other significant points of interest for example. An ever expanding, developing and fast-paced city, Leeds is in much need of a navigational identity. The city may be small, but is not without its difficulties in the field of navigation. 

I anticipate the system to focus primarily on the centre, which can be systematically divided into five sectors. These are as follows:

Civic Sector

The Civic sector of Leeds is the area at the north of the city centre, roughly north of The Headrow. It is home to the Leeds Magistrates' and Crown Courts, Leeds Town Hall, The City Library, City Gallery and The Henry Moore Institute. Leeds General Infirmary, the city's largest hospital, is also located within the sector.

Two other prominent Leeds landmarks are found behind Leeds Town Hall, these being Millennium Square and Leeds Civic Hall. Millennium Square was Leeds' flagship project to mark the year 2000, whilst Leeds Civic Hall, opened in 1933 by King George V, is home to the Lord Mayor's Room and the council chambers.



Shopping Sector

The Shopping sector extends south from the Headrow to Boar Lane. The city's largest shops are found here, featuring both major international chains and also independent shops.

Trinity Leeds shopping centre opened March 21st 2013. The new major shopping destination 
had over 130,000 people enter its doors on the first day of opening. Stores here include M&S 
(a huge part of Leeds' heritage), the Apple store, River Island, Next, Hollister, H&M, and the 
third-largest Topshop/Topman in the UK. It has a capacity for 120 shops and numerous 
pop-up shops.

Several of Leeds' famous shopping arcades, such as the Thornton Arcade and the Victoria Quarter, come off Briggate, which was fully pedestrianised in 1996 - connecting the two previously pedestrian areas either side of it. Other shopping attractions include the The Light, The Core, The St Johns Centre and The Merrion Centre. 


Financial Sector

The Financial sector of the city is bounded by Park Row (East), Leeds Inner Ring Road (West,) The Headrow (North) and Wellington Street to the (South). The City Centre Loop passes through the quarter, using City Square, Quebec Street, King Street and East Parade. Major names can be found in the financial quarter such as Aviva and The Bank of England and HSBC.

The railway station lies at the edge of the financial district, making commuting and travel a significant contribution to the area. Although principally a sector of finance, there are a number of restaurants and hotels within this sector.


University Sector

This area of the city gives home to the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University, and Leeds College of Art. These all lie on, or within a close proximity, to Woodhouse Lane. 


Eastgate Sector

The Eastgate sector of Leeds, naturally, lies in the east. Kirkgate Market (the largest covered market in Europe), The Corn Exchange and Bus Station can be found at this side of the city.

In September 2013, Leeds City Council approved plans for the development of Victoria Gate. Set to be an  'exciting addition to the vibrant shopping scene in Leeds,' the £130 million retail development will bring John Lewis’s first store to the city. The first phase will 'capture the heritage of the parallel Victoria Quarter and offer a range of high quality and designer brands.'

The detailed designs for phase one include three main buildings:

• A flagship John Lewis store, with a striking facade drawing on Leeds’ textile heritage
• Victoria Gate arcade, with stores, restaurants, cafes and leisure space in an elegantly designed two street arcade linking Victoria Quarter to the John Lewis store
• A multi-storey car park for up to 800 cars

These sectors will be at the forefront of my considerations when developing the way finding system for the city.