On the Road to Nowhere? Edinburgh’s Streetscape and Heritage Places
POSTED ON March 12, 2025 BY James Garry
Join us to hear from the Association and other organisations on the challenges of streetscape and civic space management.
This Public meeting has been organised by the Cockburn Association to explore the current issues and challenges in managing streetscapes and civic spaces in a heritage city. Not only is the centre of Edinburgh inscribed as a World Heritage Site, but many areas of the city are designed as a Conservation Area, defined as a place of special architectural or historic interest the character or appearance which is desirable to preserve or enhance.
Street space in Edinburgh is a finite resource. City of Edinburgh Council policies such as the City Mobility Plan and Future Streets/City Centre Transformation have generally been welcomed, attempting to address the variety of purposes and traffic modes which creates these major tensions and challenges on Edinburgh’s streets.
However, streetscape management is an increasing concern. From the lack of basic maintenance to interventions like the concrete ramp in the internationally significant Charlotte Square, tarmacking over historic setts in Frederick Street and unsightly pedestrian control infrastructure on the High Street are just a few recent examples.
Join us on Thursday 3 April to hear from the Association and other organisations on the challenges of streetscape and civic space management in Edinburgh. Share with us your concerns about what it happening on your street.