Leeds 2073

Leeds 2073 explores an optimistic vision of what a sustainable, community-focused South Leeds could look like 50 years from now. Created in response to increasingly dystopian narratives around the climate crisis, the project aimed to spark hope, conversation and public engagement by illustrating a future shaped by positive action, accessibility and environmental justice.

The work was informed by research and conversations with local residents and campaign groups including South Leeds Alliance for Clean Air, exploring issues around pollution, inequality and public health in South Leeds. Through this collaborative research process, the project highlighted how climate change disproportionately impacts communities already facing social and economic inequalities, particularly around respiratory health and access to green space.

The final artwork reimagines the city as car-free and nature-led, featuring accessible public transport, rewilded urban spaces, flood-resistant infrastructure and community-centred regeneration projects. Blending speculative design, environmental storytelling and social commentary, the piece encouraged audiences to imagine not just a greener future, but a fairer and more connected one too.