Climate Innovation District by White Arkitekter will be presented at the AT Awards live finals on 17 September 2025. Learn more about the project below.

Completed
2020

The Climate Innovation District (CID) in Leeds is a flagship development designed by White Arkitekter for Citu, a vertically integrated developer focused on sustainable placemaking. The project transforms a previously derelict brownfield site into a mixed-use, low-carbon neighbourhood with 955 planned homes, workplaces, leisure, and educational facilities. Located within a 15-minute walk of Leeds city centre, CID aligns with the city’s 20-minute neighbourhood strategy. It prioritises regeneration by engaging with communities beyond the red-line boundary and focusing on people-centred design.

The first phase of the district includes 66 townhouses and has established a small but growing community. Early placemaking efforts included shared green spaces and the 2019 installation of a Corten steel pedestrian bridge over the River Aire to connect the site with the city’s towpath network. All homes are car-free at surface level, with parking concealed underground to reduce emissions and promote active travel. The development includes a variety of housing types, from one-bedroom apartments to four-bedroom family homes, and places a strong emphasis on community-building through design.

Citu delivers its homes onsite using a BOPAS+ certified timber-frame system built to Passivhaus standards. The homes achieve low embodied and operational carbon through careful material selection, airtight construction, and renewable energy integration. Performance targets are set using PHPP software, with CID homes achieving excellent in-use energy figures. The development’s structure as a Community Interest Company also gives residents influence over decisions, reinforcing long-term adaptability and relevance.

Key lessons from CID highlight the value of infrastructure-led development and the importance of small, flexible community spaces. Initiatives such as the early delivery of the footbridge and the success of informal gathering places like PigLove by the River have informed future phases. Citu continues to share insights from the project through open engagement with industry and public stakeholders, positioning CID as an evolving model for sustainable, resilient urban living.

More images