Edinburgh City Centre Transformation:

Creating a more liveable, inclusive and resilient city centre

1
Our Vision

Our shared vision is an exceptional city centre that is for

all, a place for people to live, work, visit and play. A place
that is for the future, enriched by the legacy of the past.

To achieve this vision, we will work collaboratively to

create a city centre that is the heart of Edinburgh’s
communities, its cultural and civic life, the focal point for
its economy and one of Scotland’s most iconic and
important locations.
The Case for Change
A growing city and ageing Edinburgh at a glance
population

A growing tourism economy A changing climate Air pollution problems

 A Real Appetite for Change

How ambitious do you think Edinburgh needs to be to

To deliver a city fit deliver a city that works for you?
for the future, 51%
of survey
respondents agree A WIDESPREAD AND RADICAL APPROACH IS
51%
REQUIRED
that a widespread
and radical
approach is
required, 37% felt INVESTMENT AND IMPROVEMENT IS NEEDED IN
37%
targeted investment KEY LOCATIONS

and improvement
was required and
12% thought the
I DON’T THINK THE CITY NEEDS TO MAKE BIG
city didn’t need to CHANGES.
12%

make any big

changes.
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
A Real Appetite for Change
Overall, 75% of survey
respondents agree that by
creating a safe, attractive,
accessible and connected
By creating a safe, attractive, accessible and
connected network of walking routes and
cycling routes, more people would choose to
walk or cycle for short journeys rather than
use a car

network of walking and cycling STRONGLY AGREE 53%

routes, more people would AGREE 22%
NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE 7%
choose to walk or cycle for DISAGREE
Total
10%
short journeys rather than use a STRONGLY DISAGREE 7%
car. 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Thinking about your last visit to the city

centre, overall how satisfied were you with
your enjoyment of the streets and
Only 37% survey public spaces?

respondents are satisfied VERY DISSATISFIED 9%

with the quality of central DISSATISFIED 32%

public spaces. NEITHER SATISFIED… 21% Total

SATISFIED 30%
VERY SATISFIED 7%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

A data-driven transformation
Benchmarking
City Centre Principles
People First
Priority will be given to people
travelling on foot, by bicycle and by
public transport, providing
enhanced connectivity and
permeability, whilst minimising
negative impacts of traffic
displacement
Liveable
Creating a better environment
for city centre residents and
enhancing local centres
through reducing traffic within
the city centre, improving air
quality
Enhanced Open Spaces
Green areas, open
spaces and street
networks will be linked to
make the most of these
spaces for communities
City Centre Principles

Unique Character & Inclusive & Integrated Policies & Projects

Identity Accessible

The unique character of Inclusive design and Policy objectives and

Edinburgh’s built and management of our
natural environment will streets and places will be
be celebrated and embedded across all
enhanced actions affecting our city
centre
project delivery will be
integrated, creating a
consistent and coordinated
approach to city centre
planning and management
Three Appraisal Scenarios
The Strategy
The Strategy
Spatial Framework
Layers

Spatial Framework Walking Cycling

Public Transport Private and Commercial Vehicle Movements Place

Catalyst Areas

Haymarket I Morrison Street Lothian Road I Tollcross Junction New Town I Princes Street

Old Town I Victoria Street Waverley – Calton Road I Innovation Mile I Teviot Place
Waverley Bridge
 Morrison Street

Current – Morrison Street

Potential tram connecting Road space reallocation – increased pavements Wayfinding to Haymarket and Cycle Hub
Haymarket and Nicolson Square and reduced number of traffic lanes Old Town
 Tollcross Junction

Current – Tollcross Street

New green link along Lothian Road that Safe cycle routes Road space reallocation - increased Community urban gardens in High
connects the Meadows with Princes pavements and reduced number of Riggs Street
Street gardens traffic lanes
Princes Street

Current – Princes Street

Reactivation of public Seating and greening Rationalisation of bus Improvement of public realm and
realm along Princes Street opportunities in Princes stops and removal of connection between Castle Street
and Castle Street Street and the New Town excessive clutter and Princes Street Gardens
Victoria Street
Street closed to private Public realm improvements -
vehicle movement and continuous surface for
removal of on-street car accessibility and ease of
parking movement

Current – Victoria Street

Street pavement pattern preserves a central

continuous space which can be used for
servicing of ground floor activities

New activities using the open space, e.g.

community markets and uses from ground
floor spilling out.
Waverley Bridge
Street closed to private New vertical link from Market
vehicle movement and Street to St Giles’ Street next
removal of on-street car to The New Steps
parking

Current – Waverley Bridge

New square and viewpoint highlighting the

importance of Waverley Bridge as the
gateway to Edinburgh City Centre

Public realm improvements - continuous

surface for accessibility and ease of
movement
“Innovation Mile”

Current – Teviot Place

Ground floor activities New trees and improved Potential new tram Improvement of public realm and
benefit from widened public realm in Forrest Road connecting Nicolson connection with Middle Meadow
pavements Square and Haymarket Walk across Lauriston Place
Timeline
Questions