Work |
LEAP Innovation District
Lebanon, IN
How can the American heartland lead a new era of industrial development—one that’s human-scaled, nature-aligned, and rooted in the principles of innovation and sustainability?
McLennan Design partnered with MKSK and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to shape a bold, regenerative vision for Indiana’s LEAP Innovation District—a next-generation model for sustainable development in the American heartland. Strategically located between Indianapolis and Purdue University, the master plan reimagines how industry and community can grow together. By placing ecological systems at the heart of economic planning, the district aspires to become a leading regenerative innovation district, where long-term resilience and prosperity go hand in hand.
The plan balances robust industrial growth with ecological stewardship—preserving critical watersheds, restoring biodiversity, and aligning development with the natural rhythms of the land. It goes beyond traditional planning by applying regenerative design principles to every layer of the district’s fabric: energy, mobility, housing, and food systems. New Urbanist principles guide the form and function of the built environment, introducing walkable, human-scaled neighborhoods and a vibrant town center to serve workers, residents, and visitors alike.
Infrastructure throughout the LEAP Innovation District is designed for performance and equity. With a focus on water stewardship, decarbonization, urban agriculture, and a 100% electric utility strategy, the plan positions Indiana as a leader in climate-conscious economic development. Greenways and multimodal corridors promote active transportation, while flexible zoning and mixed-use frameworks support innovation, workforce housing, and small business growth.
The LEAP Innovation District offers a new blueprint for industrial development—one where ecological health, economic vitality, and human well-being are designed into the DNA of the place. As a regenerative innovation district, it exemplifies how America’s next industrial era can rise not in opposition to the environment, but in deep partnership with it.
LEAP Innovation District
Master Planning, Land Use Planning, Development Framework, Design Guidelines, Sustainable Design, Visualization
Lebanon, IN
9,000 acres
2023
Loamy High Lime Till Plains—Level IV ecoregion 55b
New Community, Mega Site Industrial Planning, Urban Planning
McLennan Design helped shape the vision and framework for the LEAP Innovation District—guiding master planning, land use strategy, and sustainable design to ensure this next-generation industrial hub balances innovation with ecological integrity and human well-being. Through development frameworks and design guidelines, the team laid the groundwork for a regenerative, people-centered district in the heart of the American Midwest.
