| Holbeck | Holbeck is a former industrial area, the birthplace of the industrial revolution in Leeds. The main approach to the area runs through the extraordinary Dark Arches, which contains the river Aire, rushing beneath the train station.Two hundred years ago activities such as flax spinning, iron casting and machine manufacturing were carried out in a range of steam-powered mills and workshops. Hundreds of families were also living in poor conditions in back-to-back houses.Now there is a heritage area of outstanding value with the Grade I listed Temple Works (with its Egyptian façade, modelled on the Temple of Horus at Edfu) and the Grade II listed Tower Works modelled on classical Italian towers. The Foundry Street area has some of the oldest surviving industrial workshop buildings in the world. |
What Kind of Place? is an exhibition of the investment being planned for the area south of the city centre. The fun starts on Saturday 8 April, when you can pick up a guide to the exhibition and public artworks from Arch U, in the Dark Arches at Granary Wharf. You can make your own way around the area, absorbing the sights and sounds and talking to guides along the way. Stewards will offer help throughout the day and collect your comments and responses on the plans. It will be a great chance to discover Holbeck's historic buildings, and view 11 new installations of public art, collectively called Secrets and Light, that will link up to form a walking trail of the area for a month. Planned changes include a new canal bridge to improve pedestrian and cycle access to the city centre. The original stream, the Hol Beck, still runs through the area and there are several proposals to improve this ancient water feature. Leader of Leeds City Council, councillor Andrew Carter says: "Holbeck Urban Village promises to become one of the most dynamic business environments in the UK and for it to be successful, it is important that neighbouring communities are involved from the start." There will also be an exhibition at the Round Foundry at the heart of Holbeck Urban Village including a chance to take a 3D trip through the area. Pictures of the 62-acre area were scanned at a high resolution and then processed into the 3D model. Stephen Meredith, of AMT3D was responsible for the photo-realistic model. "with this new 3D visualisation you can explore the area from every angle. You can climb a tree to see how the view changes, or look out of a virtual window to view the buildings across the road. "It helps people visualise the changes that are planned. "I don't think it is the end of the architectural model but this 3D is the next generation of technology." To view a video clip of the 3D model of Holbeck use the link on the right. The exhibitions and public consultation will run until 21 April 2006 (except bank holidays). For more details call 0113 244 4130 | 
