Jon Rouse, chief executive of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, this week called on Leeds to keep driving for better buildings.
Speaking at Wednesday's Urban Vitality Conference in the city, Rouse said urban design had improved in the city centre and waterfront, but added that Leeds had to invest in landmark buildings – or else be overtaken by other British and European cities.
His call is part of CABE's drive to improve the design quality of Britain's public buildings.
Rouse said Leeds would be getting new developments, including hospitals, schools and regeneration schemes, but needed to seize the initiative.
He said: "The next few years will see the biggest public building programme for a generation. It is incumbent on the city to ensure that these buildings are of the highest quality, and that means insisting that highly skilled architects and designers deliver world-class facilities."
