Residents, businesses and other interested parties have the opportunity to influence a future design for George Street and the surrounding area. There’s a drop-in event today from 3pm – 8pm at The City Art Centre in Market Street.
Design consultants WYG Environment Planning Transport Ltd, in collaboration with LDA Design, are holding he first in a series of public drop-in events on Monday, 15 January and Tuesday (16 January) to learn more about the needs and views of individuals, community groups and stakeholders.
Participants will help shape clear design objectives for the ‘First New Town’, which encompasses George Street, Castle Street, Frederick Street and Hanover Street. Objectives will build on stakeholder engagement and a set of design principles adopted by the Council last year following a year-long trial to increase pedestrian and cyclist provision on George Street.
The output from these events, against which future designs for the First New Town will be developed, will also feed into the Council’s wider context of the Central Edinburgh Transformation project.
Transport Convener, Councillor Lesley Macinnes, said: “George Street, as part of the First New Town, is one of Edinburgh’s key thoroughfares and is central to the way our city centre operates. That’s why it’s essential that we involve as many people, organisations and businesses as possible in the discussion about its future.
“Throughout the initial George Street trial we worked with the public to explore needs and desires for the street. We want to reflect this approach with the broader, longer term Central Edinburgh Transformation, creating an overarching plan for a more welcoming, accessible city centre.”
Held throughout 2014, a temporary scheme to transform George Street enabled the close study of its use alongside regular engagement with stakeholders. Outcomes helped to inform the creation of detailed design principles to guide its future development.
WYG Environment Planning Transport Ltd and LDA Design were appointed by the Council in October to draw up a long-term vision for the historic First New Town streets.
Once developed, the new, preliminary design will take into account George Street’s interdependence with intersecting ‘First New Town’ streets Castle Street, Frederick Street and Hanover Street, as well as Charlotte and St Andrew Squares.
January’s drop-in events are open to all members of the public – today’s is from 3pm – 8pm January at The City Art Centre, 2 Market Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1DE.
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