Lights Over Union Canal by Cashel Francis Liam Brown

MA/MDes Design [Lighting] Major Design Project Lights Over Union Canal Project Documentation Cashel Francis Liam Brown 40178820 May 2015

Cashel Francis Liam Brown

T: 07975563075

E: cashelflb@gmail.com

MA/MDes Design [Lighting]

Lights Over Union Canal

Union Canal, Edinburgh Project Gazetteer

1.0 Introduction

Page 5

1.1 Project Background

1.2 Project Overview

1.3

Edinburghâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Union Canal

2.0 Gazetteer

2.1 Water Elements

2.2 Infrastructure

2.3 Built Environs

2.4 Public Space

2.5 Gap Sites

2.6 Access Points

2.7 Landmarks

3.0 Analysis

4.0

Proposal

4.1 Masterplan

4.2 Localised Interventions

Appendices

129

Sketchbook Suggested Products

Selected Consulted Documents

Project Proposal

Project Documentation

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1.0 Introduction

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1.1

Project Background

This project focuses upon Lighting and the central role it plays in the creative act of ‘placemaking.‘ The role lighting plays within this context of and within public urban space is one of great importance, serving a variety of purposes, such as demarcating destination, branding, creation of ambience, highlighting and enhancing the built environment (or aspects thereof) or indeed, contributing to aspects of safety and security, or indeed the perception of. Large cities such as Glasgow and Edinburgh have developed Lighting Strategies to implement the various aspects that contribute to ideas of ‘placemaking’ through lighting. These examples all consider lighting in terms of ‘placemaking’ at a large, city wide scale with aim of “develop[ing] a well designed, coordinated and coherent approach to lighting so that lighting design becomes an intrinsic part of the street and place,” (Edinburgh City Council, 2012). Glasgow City Council’s publication “Glasgow City of Light” identifies a selection of individual examples of light applications to contribute to the overall idea of ‘placemaking.’ These projects vary greatly in size, from “the lighting of buildings close to the heart of a local community to lighting buildings of international importance.” (Glasgow City Council, 2006) It is in the former, those “close to the heart of” (GCC, 2006) a locality, a community, in which I find great interest. It is in these spaces, ‘micro’ and lived spaces, often considered to be [semi] private that I believe new ways of approaching ‘placemaking’ can be found.

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1.2

Project Overview

Lights Over Union Canal presents a Lighting Masterplan for Edinburghâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s neglected Union Canal, putting emphasis upon placemaking through the use of light. The project puts forward proposals for improved lighting treatments along the Union Canal, within a two mile stretch, starting at Lochrin Basin in Fountainbridge, and terminating at Prince Charlie Aqueduct in Slateford. The project aims to improve upon the existing lit condition, whilst also exploiting properties already present. These may be incidental lit effect, or properties unique to waterside environments, such as the reflective properties and movement of water. The overall intent is to improve night time visibility in the area, thus altering public perceptions of safety and security, making the Union Canal a more viable route for the public, both day and night.

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1.3

Edinburgh’s Union Canal

“Since its re-birth as part of the Millennium Link Project the Union Canal has come a long way from a derelict backwater to become one of Edinburgh’s most important heritage, recreational and community assets. The Union Canal is now enjoyed on a daily basis by people from across the city and beyond for a variety of uses such as boating, rowing, walking, cycling and fishing. The Union Canal is also a focus for new development, particularly at Fountainbridge, for new canal boat moorings and marinas and for canal-focused community activities. However, as the canal is developed, it must also be protected and its potential maximised for the for the benefit of the wider community and environment.” The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy, Edinburgh Council, 2011

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2.0 Gazetteer

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2.1

Water Elements

2.1.1

The terminus to the Union Canal, linking the Fountainbridge and Tollcross areas to the edge of the city, and beyond to Falkirk.

Notes: Good access to canal edge from all sides.

Lighting Comments: Primarily lit by incidental lighting from surrounding buildings and street lighting. Low visibility beyond main commercial hub. Canal edge indicated by low power LEDs.

Edinburgh Quay | Lochrin Basin

Lochrin Basin | Day

Lochrin Basin | Night

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2.2 Infrastructure

2.2.1

Leamington Lift Bridge No 1

Historical lift bridge built in 1906. Restored to full operational as part of the Milennium Link Project.

Notes: Closed to vehicular traffic. Fully accessible to pedestrians and cyclists. Pedestrians can cross via a footbridge when the bridge is raised.

Lighting Comments: Street lighting and incidental lighting from surrounding houses. Relatively good visibility due to these factors. Canal edge indicated by low power LEDs.

Leamington Lift Bridge | Day

Leamington Lift Bridge | Night

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2.2 Infrastructure

2.2.2

Viewforth Bridge No 2

Road bridge crossing between Viewforth and Fountainbridge.

Notes: Pedestrian access to canal via steps to north west side.

Lighting Comments: Primarily lit by incidental street lighting. Low visibility crossing underneath. Canal edge indicated by low power LEDs.

Viewforth Bridge | Day

Viewforth Bridge | Night

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2.2 Infrastructure

2.2.3

Yeaman Place Bridge

Road bridge crossing Yeaman Place

Notes: No pedestrian access to canal from bridge.

Lighting Comments: Primarily lit by incidental lighting from surrounding buildings and street lighting. Low visibility crossing underneath. Canal edge indicated by low power LEDs.

Yeaman Place Bridge | Day

Yeaman Place Bridge | Night

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2.2 Infrastructure

2.2.4

Harrison Road Bridge

Road bridge crossing between Polwarth and Harrison Park

Notes: Good access to canal edge from west side

Lighting Comments: Primarily lit by incidental lighting from surrounding buildings and street lighting. Decent visibility due to proximity to park and mooring locations. Canal edge indicated by low power LEDs.

Harrison Road Bridge | Day

Harrison Road Bridge | Night

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2.2 Infrastructure

2.2.5

Ashley Terrace Bridge No 3

Road bridge crossing between Polwarth and Harrison Park

Notes: Good access to canal edge from west side

Ashley TerraceBridge | Day

Ashley Terrace Bridge | Night

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2.2 Infrastructure

2.2.6

Meggetland Old Bridge No 4 | Meggetland New Bridge No 4A

Road and pedestrian bridges crossing between Colinton Road and Meggetland

Notes: Good access to canal edge from west side via footbridge.

Lighting Comments: Primarily lit by incidental lighting from surrounding buildings and street lighting. Poor visibility. Canal edge indicated by low power LEDs.

Meggetland Bridges | Day

Meggetland Bridge | Night

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2.2 Infrastructure

2.2.7

Prince Charlie Aqueduct

Aqueduct carrying canal over Slateford Road

Notes: Poor access to canal via steep stairway from slateford Road.

Lighting Comments: Primarily lit by incidental lighting limited street lighting and passing traffic. Poor visibility from canal and street level. Canal edge indicated by low power LEDs.

Prince Charlie Aqueduct | Day

Prince Charlie Aqueduct | Night

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2.3

Built Environs

A breakdown of the building typologies that surround and back on to the Union Canal, categorized into the following:

Commercial Property

High RIse Residential Buildings, Newly Built

Low RIse Residential Buildings, Newly Built

Traditional Edinburgh Tenements

Low Rise Residential Properties

As one moves from Lochrin Basin to Slateford along the canalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s path, there is a tendency for built surrounding to move from high rise commercial and residential properties, to low rise residential, alongside smaller commerical properties and larger superstores.

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2.3

Built Environs

2.3.1

Commercial Building

Notes:

New developments as part of Millenium Link project and redevelopment of Fountainbridge.

Day

Night

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2.3

Built Environs

2.3.2

Notes: New developments as part of Millenium Link project and redevelopment of Fountainbridge. Additional new developments at Meggetland.

New Build, High Rise Residential Buildings

Day

Night

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2.3

Built Environs

2.3.3

New Build, Low Rise Residential Buildings

Notes:

New developments as part of Millenium Link project and redevelopment of Fountainbridge.

Day

Night

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2.3

Built Environs

2.3.4

Tenement Residential Buildings

Notes:

Provides most of build up backing onto Union Canal fromLochrin Basin to Harrison Park.

Day

Night

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2.3

Built Environs

2.3.5

Notes: Primarily further towards Slateford, from Harrison Park.

Low Rise Residential Buildings

Day

Night

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2.4

Public & Open Space

2.4.1

Notes: Full pedestrian access to canal along most of the parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expanse.

2.4.2

Notes: Pedestrian access to canal via short stairway from new build apartments.

Day

Harrison Park

Meggetland Sports Complex

Night

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2.5

Gap Sites

2.5.1

Notes: Former Scottish and Newcastle Brewery Site. New developments surrounding as part of Millenium Link project and redevelopment of Fountainbridge. Site to be developed as part of Fountainbridge Masterplanning exercise by 7N Architects. Former British Rubber Factory to be redveloped as new home for Edinburgh Printmakers, also as part of the Fountainbridge Redvelopment Plan.

Fountainbridge Brewery Site

Day

Night

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2.6

Access Points

Notes: Providing access to waterside via stairway, flat access or ramp. Many remain undermaintained and underlit.

Access Points | Day

Access Points | Night

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2.7 Landmarks

2.7.1

Daytime Landmarks

Buildings, structures and sites considered to be of significance during the day. These were deemed as such through asking for directions and site specific analysis.

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Leamington Lift Bridge

Polwarth Parish Church

Harrison Park

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Harrison Park Boathouse

Prince Charlie Aqueduct

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2.7 Landmarks

2.7.2

Nighttime Landmarks

Buildings, structures and sites considered to be of significance during the night. These were deemed as such through asking for directions and site specific analysis.

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Lochrin Basin

Leamington Lift Bridge

Dorset Place

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Temple Park Crescent

Harrison Park + Polwarth Parish Church

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Harrison Park Boathouse

Meggetland + Bridges

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Colinton Road Houses

Prince Charlie Aqueduct

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3.0 Analysis

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3.0 Analysis Site analysis was carried out along the full extent of the canal site, from Lochrin Basin to SLateford Aqueduct. Visual and Lychian Analysis Methods were utilised for both the full extent of the site, and at a localised scale. Analysis was categorised into the following, and is summarised in the proceedig diagrams. -

Area and Locality

Built Surroundings

Lychian Analysis (See appendices)

These methods identified four key areas along the canalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s path: -

Lochrin Basin

Harrison Park

- Meggetland -

Prince Charlie Aqueduct.

This enabled the construction of the masterplan across the whole site, as well as focal areas.

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4.0 Proposal

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4.0 Proposal The project puts forward proposals for improved lighting treatments along the Union Canal, within a two mile stretch, starting at Lochrin Basin in Fountainbridge, and terminating at Prince Charlie Aqueduct in Slateford. The proposed changes utilise both masterplanning to create an overall night time identity for the Union Canal, as well as more localised intervention to improve perceived safety, improve night time visibility in the area, thus altering public perceptions of safety and security, making the Union Canal a more viable route for the public, both day and night.

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4.1 Masterplan The masterplan images following present an overall treatment for the Union Canal and surronding environs, ranging from higher level street lighting treatments, represented as bright orange, to more intimate lit conditions, represented as white, along the canalside and major pedestrian routes. The canalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pathway is broken up by the series of bridges which span it, most of which present a poor lighting quality to those that utilise the canal as a night time route. Making these bridges a focal point through lighting increases visibility and perceptions of safety along the canalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pathway, whilst also presenting areas of distinct character beyond each. The images that follow present the Union Canal site as a whole, as well as a more focused approach to the Focal Areas of Lochrin Basin/Fountainbridge, Harrison Park, Meggetland and Prince Charlie Aqueduct. A treatment for the proposed Fountainbridge Development is also considered.

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4.2

Localised Interventions

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4.2

Localised Interventions

A series of proposals for localised areas at Lochrin Basin, Meggetland and Prince Charlie Aqueduct. Also presented are a general method of lighting the canal to improve night time visibility.

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Leamington Lift Bridge | Existing Condition

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4.2.1 Leamington Lift Bridge

Existing Condition

The lit condition currently at Leamington Lift Bridge leaves much to be desired. The primary source of light for the surrounding area comes from several street lamps and incidental lighting from tenement blocks and the new buildings that surround it. Visibility is relatively poor. Secondary lit source comes from water reflections and the small low power LEDs that demarcate the waters edge.

Proposal

The illustration and photos that follow present a new lighting treatment for the Leamington Lift Bridge and the surrounding areas. These can be broken down into the following categories:

Lighting the Bridge

Spotlights directed toward the facade of Leamington Lift Bridge highlight it as a night time landmark in its own right, emphasising its rich historical fabric through the use of white light. Through mock up photography, lit elements to the side, front and rear of each lifting element is considered beneficial, both for lighting the structure and the incidental light to the pathway.

Pathway Lighting

Low Level pathway lighting improves visibility to the canal towpath, as well as presenting an intimate lit landscape. Lit elements below waist height provide enough visibility, whilst negating the use of street lighting along key pedestrian routes.

Lighting the Water

Using the reflective properties of water, lit elements indicate the waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edge, negating the use of the low power LED markers for some parts to the route. Reflections of light animate the space and increase overall visibility. This treatment proves particularly credible under the numerous bridges along the canalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s route. Although mocked up using white light, a treatment using blue light is considered most appropriate, utilising the reflective properties of water, whilst masking the more unsightly aspects of the canalsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; water.

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Leamington Lift Bridge | Proposed Lit Condition

Leamington Lift Bridge | Site Mock Up

Meggetland Road and Foot Bridges | Existing Condition

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4.2.2 Meggetland Road and Foot Bridges

Existing Condition

The lit condition in place is minimal. The primary source of light for the surrounding area comes from the street lamps at road level, with a reduced lighting quality at canalside, leading to poor visibility. Secondary lit source comes from water reflections and the small low power LEDs that demarcate the waters edge.

Proposal

The illustrations and photos that follow present a new lighting treatment for the Meggetland Bridges, as well as general treatments for additional bridges along the canal. These are broken down as follows:

Lighting the Bridge

Spotlights directed toward the curved underside of the bridges highlight as a night time landmark, improving visibility from a distance, whilst giving pedestrians ‘something to aim for‘ as they continue their journey. The proposed illustration presents two spotlights directed to the curve and along the wall to illuminate the entire space. Through mock up photography, one lit element was used to illuminate the space underneath the bridge, improving visibility with incidental lighting upon the expanse of the wall

Pathway Lighting

Lighting the Water

Using the reflective properties of water, lit elements indicate the water’s edge, negating the use of the low power LED markers for some parts to the route. Reflections of light animate the space and increase overall visibility. This treatment proves particularly credible under the numerous bridges along the canal’s route. Although mocked up using white light, a treatment using blue light is considered most appropriate, utilising the reflective properties of water, whilst masking the more unsightly aspects of the canals’ water.

An Interactive Element

To animate the spaces underneath these bridges, the ripple effect of lit water was desired in the cavernous spaces above. Although the above method was effective in some of the lower bridges, something additional was required to animate the larger. An interactive installation of drums, water and lit element was considered to animate the spaces below, and encourage canal users to congregate underneath. The drums are filled with water, with lit element underneath. As one agitates the water by hitting the drum, a ripple effect image is projected throughout the undercarriage of the bridge. The installation combines, light sound and the waterside environment, presenting a new way for canal users to experience their journey. Please see the exhibition video or visit https://vimeo.com/126312821 for documentation.

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Meggetland Foot Bridge | Proposed Lit Condition

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Meggetland Road Bridge | Proposed Lit Condition

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Viewforth Mockup showing treatment for curved bridges along the canalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s route.

Meggetland Road Bridge | Installation

Meggetland Road Bridge | Installation Testing

Prince Charlie Aqueduct | Existing Lit Condition

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4.2.3 Prince Charlie Aqueduct

Existing Condition

The current lit condition, both at canal and road level below is minimal. At canal level, incidental lighting from street lamps and houses below provide limited visibility for towpath users. Secondary lit source comes from water reflections and the small low power LEDs that demarcate the waters edge. At road level, the streetscape is illuminated by the vehicular traffic present at the busy Slateford Road. There is minimal street lighting present.

Proposal

The illustrations that follow present a new lighting treatment for the Prince Charlie Aqueduct, improving night time identity for the Prince Charlie Aqueduct, as well as improving visibility for canal towpath pedestrians as well as those using Slateford Road. These are broken down as follows:

Lighting the Bridge

At road level, spotlights directed toward the facade of Prince Charlie Aqueduct highlight it as a night time landmark in its own right, emphasising its rich historical fabric through the use of white light. Spotlights directed toward the curved underside of the bridges improve street pedestrian visibility, whilst soft accent spotlights to the walls either side highlight a difference in the pedestrian landscape.

At canal level, low level pathway lighting improves visibility to the canal towpath, as well as presenting an intimate lit landscape. Lit elements aiming away from the path highlight the fabric of the aqueduct, whilst lit element below waist height provide enough visibility, in combination with the existing low power LEDs.

Lighting the Water

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Prince Charlie Aqueduct | Proposed Elevational Lit Condition

Prince Charlie Aqueduct | Proposed Treatment for Canal and Road

Union Canal General | Existing Lit Conditions

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4.2.4 General Canalside

Existing Condition

Generally, along the full stretch of the canal, night time lighting conditions are poor. In builit up areas, less than sufficient light is incidental from street lighting and builidings set back from the canal. In less builit up areas, visibility is poor, with only the low powered LED markers lighting the way. Night time pedestrians may find the towpath difficult to navigate without the use of a torch, as well as potentially putting themselves and cyclists at risk.

Proposal

The illustration, photography and mock ups that follow present a new lighting treatment for the Union Canal. These are broken down as follows:

Bridge Lighting

Spotlights directed toward the underside of the many bridges along the canal’s pathway highlight them as a night time landmark, improving visibility from a distance and underneath, whilst providing destination to pedestrians as they continue their journey.

Lighting the Water

Directing hidden spotlights towards the water utililises the reflective properties of water to create a dynamic lit landscape, whilst provide sufficient visibility along the canal’s towpath. Spotlights shine from the east side of the canal to light the pedestrianised west through reflection. This creates an effect akin to the existing incidental reflections along the route.

Waters Edge Lighting

Low Level Pathway Lighting

Preserving the Existing

Although there is poor visibility along the canal’s pathway, the route contains many incidental lighting effects, many of which are to be preserved to present a more dynamic pedestrian journey. The images following highlight some of these incidental lighting effects, where lit intervention is to be kept at a minimum to preserve and draw attention to what is already there. In these areas, only low level path lighting will be utilised where visibility is considered to be of detrimental quality.

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Union Canal General | Underbridge, Low Level Pathway and Hidden Water Spot Detail

Union Canal General | Waters Edge, Low Level Pathway and Vertical Surface Spot Detail

Union Canal General | Viewforth Bridge Mock Up of General Lighting Treatments [Underbridge, Waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Edge and Hidden Spot Lighting]

Union Canal General | Viewforth Bridge Demonstration of Reflective Properties of Water

Union Canal General | Preserving the Existing

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Union Canal General | Preserving the Existing

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Union Canal General | Preserving the Existing

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Union Canal General | Preserving the Existing

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Union Canal General | Preserving the Existing

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Appendices

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Lights Over Union Canal

Sketchbook

Project Documentation

Lights Over Union Canal

Project Documentation

Lights Over Union Canal

Project Documentation

Lights Over Union Canal

Suggested Products

Project Documentation

100

ISSUE: 2

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TITLE:

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MIKE STOANE LIGHTING | EQUIPMENT DESIGN + MANUFACTURE

Lights Over Union Canal

Selected Consulted Documents

Project Documentation

Lights Over Union Canal

Fountainbridge Public Realm Strategy

Project Documentation

PUBLIC REALM STRATEGY

FOUNTAINBRIDGE Edinburgh

PUBLIC REALM STRATEGY 22nd February 2007

CONTENTS

F O U N TA I N B R I D G E

public realm strategy

Prepared by

CONTENTS Contents 1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

Figure List Figure 1.1: Fountainbridge Development Brief: Site 1 Fountain Brewery and Environs 2

Introduction

1.1

Background

1.2

Aims and Objectives

1.3

Purpose of the Strategy

1.4

The Application Process

Figure 1.5: Fountain North Outline Application

Figure 1.6: Fountain North Detail Application

Public Realm

Figure 3.1: City Wide Context

2.1

What is Public Realm?

2.2

What Makes Good Public Realm?

2.3

The Benefits of Public Realm

2.4

Achieving Good Sheet Design

Figure 1.2: Draft Fountainbridge Development Brief - Nov 2004

Figure 1.3: Amended Fountainbridge Development Brief - Dec 2005

Figure 1.4: Fountainbridge - Emerging Illustrative Master Plan

Figure 3.2: Fountainbridge Concept

Figure 4.1: Character Areas

Figure 4.2: Typical Character Area - Canal Frontage

Figure 4.3: Typical Character Area - Primary Pedestrian Route

Strategy Proposals

Figure 4.5: Typical Character Area - Semi Private Courts

3.1

City Area Context Plan

Figure 4.6: Typical Character Area - Primary Vehicular Routes

3.2

Fountainbridge Concept

Figure 4.4: Typical Character Area - Secondary Pedestrian Route

Figure 5.1: Phasing Strategy

Figure 5.2: Public Transport Links

Detailed Design

Figure 5.3: Pedestrian Routes

4.1

Spaces - Typical Character Areas

Figure 5.4: Vehicular Routes / Cycle Network

4.2

Canal Frontage

4.3

Primary Public Realm

4.4

Secondary Public Realm

4.5

Semi Private Courts

4.6

Lighting Concept

4.7

Vehicular Routes

4.8

Public Art Opportunities

4.9

Cycle Routes / Cycle Provision

4.10

Play Area

4.11

Signage

4.12

Security and Safety

4.13

Management and Maintenance

Technical Appendix

5.1

Phasing

5.2

Public Transport Links

5.3

Pedestrian Routes

5.4

Vehicular Routes

5.5

Service Access / Courts

5.6

Recreation - Green Space/Play Areas/Events

5.7

Lighting

5.8

Street Trees

Figure 5.5: Service Access / Courts

Figure 5.6: Recreation - Green Space/Play Areas/Events

Figure 5.7: Lighting and Public Art

Figure 5.8: Street Tree Zones

F O U N TA I N B R I D G E

public realm strategy

INTRODUCTION

Morrison Crescent

Fountain North

Fountain South West Fountain South Central Fountain South East

Freer Street

Figure 1.1: Fountainbridge Development Brief: Site 1 Fountain Brewery and Environs

F O U N TA I N B R I D G E

public realm strategy

INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background

1.3 Purpose of the Strategy

Following the closure of the Scottish and Newcastle brewery at Fountainbridge the City of Edinburgh Council resolved to prepare supplementary planning guidance to the Local Plan for the Fountainbridge area. On 3 November 2004 the City of Edinburgh Council Planning Committee approved the Fountainbridge Development Brief (Figure 1.2). This established the principle of the redevelopment of the Brewery sites to a mix of uses. It also established general parameters in terms of public space, development massing and transport infrastructure issues.

The purpose of the strategy is to provide the following: • Confidence in a consistent level of quality over the entire development; • A structure for a range of parameters, including for example the use of materials, whilst also allowing for flexibility in the development; and • Guidance for the determination of future detailed or reserved matters applications.

During 2005, further work was undertaken by S&N in relation to the brewery sites to investigate various implementation issues related to the Development Brief. This resulted in a formal amendment to the Development Brief being approved on the 1 December 2005 (Figure 1.3).

The aim is to provide clear guidance on the rationale behind the Fountainbridge public realm proposals and to set parameters for future developers within the development brief area.

Following the report to the 1 December planning committee, City of Edinburgh Council officials have since requested further details on the public realm strategy in relation to Fountainbridge. This present document has been prepared in discussion with City development officials to address this issue. It has been the subject of workshop consultation with the local Community Council and other local amenity and development interest groups.

The guidance will help to achieve a better quality of development, speed up the delivery of the planning process through detailed and reserved matters applications and provide greater certainty to the City of Edinburgh Council and the future developers of the site. Figure 1.2: Draft Fountainbridge Development Brief - Nov 2004

The Public Realm Strategy has been commissioned by Scottish and Newcastle, who will be joint applicants in future planning applications for Fountain South, and has been agreed with City of Edinburgh Council Officials. It will also form the basis upon which formal planning submissions in relation to the detailed matters on public realm associated with reserved matters applications for the Fountain North site; and future planning applications for the Fountain South sites in 2007.

1.2 Aims and Objectives The aim of this strategy document is to focus on the public realm aspects of Fountainbridge and to provide future developers with an understanding of the planning authority’s aspirations and vision for the site.

Future planning applications are likely to be accompanied by Design Statements, which will take reference from this public Realm Strategy.

This strategy aims to build on the existing requirements set out in the approved Development Brief for public realm and will establish parameters for use of materials and street treatment which will help in the determination of future reserved matters applications for the Fountainbridge site. With the closure of the Scottish and Newcastle’s Fountain Brewery the opportunity exists to create a new high quality urban environment, drawing on the sites existing characteristics and its strategic location within the City of Edinburgh. The vision is to re-establish a thriving mixed use community focused on the distinctive canal side position and the new linkages created through the reconfigured Fountainbridge area. The potential exists to create a new urban quarter set within a balanced development mix, providing opportunities for an exciting range of residential, commercial and leisure developments. Figure 1.3: Amended Fountainbridge Development Brief - Dec 2005

F O U N TA I N B R I D G E

INTRODUCTION

N Figure 1.4: Fountainbridge - Emerging Illustrative Site Layout

F O U N TA I N B R I D G E

public realm strategy

Please note that the above plan is based on the amended Fig 11 Development Brief and is indicative only, in particular the proposed water space configuration is for illustrative purposes only. Throughout this document all figures/diagrams highlighted with an asterisk * are similarly caveated.

public realm strategy

INTRODUCTION 1.4 The Application Process To date, following the approval of the amended Development Brief (Dec 2005), outline planning permission has been granted for the Fountain North element of the plan (Figure 1.5). In developing this strategy document elements of these existing or pending consents have been considered to ensure synergy. The details within these existing schemes have guided or will be guided by this overall strategy. Throughout the application stages for Fountain North, through ongoing dialogue with the City of Edinburgh Council Planning team, the principles and aspirations set out in the original Development Brief have been followed. The creation of an overarching Public Realm Strategy enforces these proposals, but more importantly aims to ensure that future developments within the Fountainbridge area continue to follow and work to the same vision. It should be noted that, although the Public Realm Strategy will establish certain key parameters for future development, it will be the individual detailed planning applications which ultimately provide the final detailed proposals.

Figure 1.5: Fountain North Outline Application

In the case of Fountain North, the planning application already approved (as denoted by the red line area in Figure 1.5) has established a level of on-site public realm and streetscape / permeability works for the site itself and for the West Approach Road and Fountainbridge. These works will be delivered with the reserved matters applications for the Fountain North site. Reserved Matters applications for Fountain North are due to come forward in January 2007 (Figure 1.6). These will include details of the public realm and landscaping, building upon the parameters set out in this Public Realm Strategy Document. Following this, it is anticipated that planning applications will come forward for the remainder of the Fountain South sites including, Fountain South Central and Fountain South West. These applications will be accompanied by an overarching Environmental Assessment and planning strategy document. They will also be informed by this Public Realm Strategy, and will be accompanied by more detailed Design Statement documents. Figure 1.4, Fountainbridge - Emerging Illustrative Site Layout Plan, outlines the basis upon which a future detail plan may evolve for the entire site. This illustrative layout provides a framework against which this Public Realm Strategy is based.

Figure 1.6: Fountain North Reserved Matters Application

It is anticipated that the next phase of planning applications will be advanced in early 2007, following agreement with City Development officials on a number of outstanding site development issues including the potential location for a school on the South West Site and various transportation and waterspace requirement issues. S&N will advance these discussions with City Development officials during 2007.

F O U N TA I N B R I D G E

public realm strategy

PUBLIC REALM

PUBLIC REALM 2.1 What is Public Realm? A key component to the renaissance and ultimate success of Fountainbridge will be the quality and character of the new environment. The character will undoubtedly be drawn from the existing setting and the new building forms and styles, however, a key part of this will also be the public realm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the spaces between and around buildings. Public realm includes all the spaces between buildings that can be freely accessed, it encompasses all outdoor areas including roads, parks, squares, pedestrian routes and cycleways. People live and work in buildings, however, they also interact in the spaces between them. The aim at Fountainbridge is to prioritise the public realm, by designing and siting buildings so as to contribute to its success. Outdoor space should stimulate the senses, yet remain comfortable and human in scale. Spaces should be clearly defined and achieve a useful purpose. The state and quality of our streets and communities have a major impact on our quality of life, it is therefore important to understand how design and quality development can help to create successful places.

2.2 What Makes Good Public Realm? The following document seeks to provide a guide to future developers on how the urban realm for Fountainbridge can play a key role in its future success. Good design is about making places that are functional, durable, viable and reflect the character and style of the local area. Different components will contribute to the success of the public realm, including paving, lighting, shelter, signage and street furniture, however, the design and components alone are not the only key to success. How attractive a public space is, and how well people treat it, will partly depend on the future management regimes and ease of maintenance. The public realm strategy for Fountainbridge aims to provide a clear set of guidelines that aim to ensure a certain quality threshold is achieved and character created throughout the area. Strategies of this nature should not be seen as too prescriptive, future developers should be permitted a degree of flexibility, however, one of the keys to success will be to establish a common design language and synergy across the new Fountainbridge area.

2.3 The Benefits of Good Public Realm at Fountainbridge The experience of an individual moving through a town or city is directly linked to the accessibility, safety, legibility and quality of the spaces. Those places that positively provide these elements maximise their economic potential, whilst those that are poor, clearly fail across a range of physical and social indicators. As areas experience a renaissance, accessibility, safety, cleanliness and legibility become a significant influence on the economic health of a place. Quality of life is an important factor in determining where businesses choose to invest and where people want to live. Quality of the public realm determines and demonstrates an areas health and vitality. It is therefore clear that a high quality public realm is becoming an essential component to the selection of a location for both residents, visitors and for business. For all users, the priorities are predominantly safety and cleanliness; people are naturally drawn to places that are attractive, clean and safe. However, as greater choice is given, people and business become more sophisticated and demanding about where to spend time and therefore design and quality of materials become increasingly important. The physical surroundings, including elements of play, surprise, fun, rest and contemplation, for example, are therefore just as important as the uses and facilities within the buildings. The prime objective at Fountainbridge is to acknowledge these issues and through well considered design achieve the desired solution.

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public realm strategy

PUBLIC REALM 2.4 Achieving Good Street Design The Fountainbridge area has undergone considerable change in the last few years. Following the announcement to close the Scottish and Newcastle Brewery in mid 2005 and the development of the Lochrin Basin end of the Union Canal. The area occupies a strategically important position to the west of the city centre, close to Haymarket and the Exchange and acts as the eastern terminus point for the Union Canal. Fountainbridge historically and physically has a strong relationship with the surrounding communities. Historically the area developed and grew around the Union Canal, now classified as a scheduled ancient monument. Industry has been the backbone to the area, in particular brewing which has been part of the local scene since at least the 18th Century. Following a public consultation workshop on 29 June 2006, it is clear that the local community, as well as other local interest groups, hold the area in high regard. Feedback gathered at the workshop demonstrated a strong desire to reinvigorate the area, in particular the canal and basin area, and to ensure that a successful and integrated mixed use community is created. The canal is clearly seen as a key feature and an asset to the local area, providing an opportunity to open up the old brewery site and link it to its surroundings. The redevelopment of the bridge crossings at Viewforth and Leamington Lift Bridge, together with a proposed new pedestrian bridge linking into Lower Gilmore Place and associated high quality public realm spaces will be the centrepiece of Fountainbridge’s redevelopment.

As highlighted in the original Development Brief: ‘the regeneration of Fountainbridge provides the opportunity to reflect and, where possible, enhance the positive attributes of the existing environment and to address current weaknesses. The legacy of industrial use has left the area with poor accessibility and weak permeability’. Through the sound principles set out in the Development Brief the opportunity now exists to resolve these issues and create a successful mixed use community, with its own identity and purpose. These principles are now also backed up in guidance provided by The City of Edinburgh in their recently published ‘Edinburgh Standards for Streets (Finalised Version – Nov 2006)’. A strong emphasis on good design and best practice is clearly encouraged. The aim of the Fountainbridge Public Realm Strategy is to embrace the principles and guidance set out in the new ‘Edinburgh Standards for Streets’. Fountainbridge forms part of a key development area within the city centre and it is therefore important that these guiding principles are applied to ensure continuity throughout Edinburgh. A clear link needs to be achieved between ‘streetscape’ and ‘place making’ and the design process.

The ‘Edinburgh Standards for Streets’ sets out the following high level principles, which should be ingrained within the urban realm of Fountainbridge. 1. Preservation and enhancement of the historic fabric of the City. 2. Respecting and enhancing local character. 3. New streets to contribute to formation of recognisable urban grain. 4. Contribute to ‘place making’. 5. Best Practice. 6. Achieving quality. • Reduction of clutter • Natural materials • Minimum palette of materials • Simple, clean design • Co-ordination of design and colour 7. Maintenance 8. A co-ordinated approach In parallel with the City’s guidance on public realm, reference should also be drawn from the Scottish Executives advice set out in the new Planning Advice Note PAN 76 ‘ New Residential Streets’.

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STRATEGY PROPOSALS

STRATEGY PROPOSALS 3.1 City Area Context Plan It is clear that Fountainbridge forms only part of a series of important regeneration strategies focused around the centre of the City of Edinburgh. Although this particular urban realm strategy does not seek to align itself with other local or city wide developments the aim of the City of Edinburgh Council is to adopt certain city wide strategies related to the urban realm, such as paving materials, lighting standards, parking issues, waste and recycling policies. The City is in the process of co-ordinating a document, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Edinburgh Standards for Streetsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, through the streetscape working group, that seeks to encourage citywide best practice in terms of urban realm. 10

Any future developer should therefore be aware of associated regeneration developments and seek an understanding from the CEC of any overarching strategies or policies relevant to Fountainbridge.

6 5 1b 1a

2 2

11 3 4

N KEY Development with Planning Permission Potential Future Development Fountainbridge Site

Figure 3.1: City Wide Context

1a - Fountain South

8 - Morrison Street (Car Park)

1b - Fountain North

9 - Haymarket

1c - Freer Street

10 - Donaldsons

2 - Edinburgh Quay

11 - Quartermile

3 - Mecca Bingo Site

12 - Crichton Street (Car Park) - Potterrow

4 - Lochrin Place Residential Development 5 - Former Co-op Site 6 - Semple Street 7 - Edinburgh International Conference Centre Extension

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public realm strategy

STRATEGY PROPOSALS 3.2 Fountainbridge Concept The strategies established in the original Development Brief still hold strong and form an integral part of the emerging Masterplan for Fountainbridge. The key principles of pedestrian linkage and movement remain the central focus of this regeneration strategy. The establishment of a thriving mixed use community centred around a high quality urban environment remains the primary goal. It is hoped that a robust public realm strategy for the emerging Fountainbridge area will provide the catalyst for the regeneration of neighbouring areas. The creation of new and regenerated routes across the site, combined with the character and quality of the design and implementation will lead to wider strategy enhancements in the future. Fountainbridge should be built for the future and should take on the concept of sustainable redevelopment. An active, animated and welcoming public realm is the indicator of a thriving place and a healthy community. After a long period of neglect, the social, functional and symbolic importance of public spaces is now understood as providing spaces for people to meet and spend active and leisure time. The key public spaces at Fountainbridge set out to achieve much more than just high quality spaces and physical components. They should act as the cornerstones of Fountainbridge and provide the focal and meetings points within the scheme. The key spaces/nodes should provide important places for activity, diversity, social exchange and cultural enrichment. The strong linkage routes through the development area create natural points of activity at certain key points. The important bridge crossings of the Union Canal provide two key spaces that will attract activity and diversity given the right design treatment. Any scheme therefore should integrate the Viewforth Bridge junction and the Leamington Liftbridge crossing as primary public realm spaces. The highest quality urban environments should be created that encourage a range of activities and experiences, people should be drawn to these two key locations. Similarly, the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;local centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; junction on Fountainbridge Road should be treated as an important crossroads. The quality of the streetscape environment in this location should help to set the tone and precedent for the linking routes that feed into this crossing point. Finally, another key element of the original development plan is the public open space and pedestrian street centred on the Fountain North site. For the local community to embrace their new environment and gain optimum benefit from the facilities and opportunities a high quality external environment is critical.

N KEY Primary Vehicular Route

Focal Point, incorporating examples of Public Art

Strategic Pedestrain Route

Development Zone

Key Local Pedestrain Route

Development Frontage

Local Centre

Potential New Waterspace/Strategic Public Realm Additional Suggested Locations for Public Art

Figure 3.2: Fountainbridge Concept *

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public realm strategy

DETAILED DESIGN

DETAILED DESIGN Character Areas 4.1 Spaces – Typical Character Areas The internal structure of all urban areas is based on an interconnected set of hierarchies. Uses, buildings, streets and open spaces all have a hierarchy developed over time, reflecting the organisation of the area. The most important hierarchy is that of the street. Main streets are the major thoroughfares, whilst quiet residential streets are the focus of small communities. It is important that the scale of buildings and spaces reflects this hierarchy. The regeneration of Fountainbridge provides an ideal opportunity to recreate a new community. It is therefore important to understand and control the relationship and hierarchy of routes and spaces. Fountainbridge should be characterised by attractive public streets and spaces defined by appropriately scaled and proportioned buildings. Street corners should be designed as spaces, rather than formless traffic junctions, every opportunity should be sought to reduce the impact of vehicles. The Fountainbridge site can be broken down into a hierarchy of spaces all demonstrating a different character style and design quality. A key objective of the plan is to create a co-ordinated high quality mixed use environment, a community that people, either residents or visitors, feel proud of and want to remain part of. The aim of this Urban Realm Strategy is to set a benchmark for the area to ensure that as the different components of the plan emerge the final Masterplan works as a ‘real place’, with its own clear identity. The following character areas (as summarised in Figure 4.1) set out a series of design strategy components and aspirations and aim to provide a broad basis upon which Fountainbridge could be developed.

N Indicative Plan

KEY Canal corridor and strategic crossings Primary Public Realm Secondary Public Realm Semi private / private courts

Figure 4.1: Character Areas

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DETAILED DESIGN

Canal Frontage High quality environmental improvements to the existing Union Canal frontage, incorporating key public realm spaces associated with the existing and proposed bridge crossings.

Primary Public Realm (Core spaces and links) High quality public realm design and treatment of core pedestrian routes through the new Fountainbridge development. Natural stone surfaces and simple quality street furniture will characterise the area.

Secondary Public Realm (Other significant links) Quality design and treatment to adjacent pedestrian and vehicular thoroughfares feeding off and strongly associated with the primary routes and canal frontage.

Semi Private Courts Opportunity to create areas of specific character and design, set within a high quality urban streetscape framework.

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DETAILED DESIGN Canal Frontage 4.2 Canal Frontage A key requirement of the Fountainbridge Development Brief is that new development should form a direct and positive relationship with the canal and any new waterspace that is created and, in the interests of promoting a thriving pedestrian environment, to locate a variety of uses along the water edge. To this end, activity and social life associated with key public realm locations should be actively encouraged along the length of canal running through Fountainbridge. Acknowledgement of the design and quality of the canal space between the Viewforth and Leamington bridges should be continued along the remaining canalside walkways where possible. The enhanced canal towpath should be treated as a major component of the area, encouraging active and safe useage by pedestrians and cyclists alike Surface finishes along the canal frontage, unless forming part of higher quality civic spaces, should remain simple and robust. Continuing on from the precedent set at Edinburgh Quay, a reclaimed granite sett/cobble surface is to be used to maintain linear continuity along the canal edge. All finishes and footpath/cycleway proportions and specification within the proximity of the canal edge will be subject to the approval of British Waterways. As part of any design for the canal frontage liaison with British Waterways would be essential to ensure unity and agreement with their aspirations for the canal and basin regeneration at this important terminus point.

In key locations opportunity exists to widen the canal frontage and through the introduction of key public realm spaces, integrate the canal within a wider, more accessible, and visible setting

Leamington Lift Bridge to be retained and integrated as part of major new public realm space Dedicated 4m wide towpath to remain

B B

A A

B N

Figure 4.2: Typical Character Area - Canal Frontage *

UNION CANAL

CANAL EDGE 4m

Integration of Canal frontage with civic space / pedestrian link 18

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public realm strategy

KEY PUBLIC REALM SPACE

DETAILED DESIGN Extended pedestrian route

Palette of materials: Typical N AT U R A L S TO N E PAV I N G To be used within pedestrian access routes approaching the canal, or adjacent to the canal edge surface. Particular attention should be paid to the interaction with the canal edge and treatments used in recent regeneration areas along the Union Canal, in particular Edinburgh Quay.

A dedicated 4m wide canal edge footpath / cycleway is to be maintained as hard paved treatment to retain and strengthen the linear nature and importance of the canal corridor

A Union Canal

Canal frontage regeneration retaining industrial form

CANAL EDGE 4m

FOOTPATH

BUILDING/ CANAL ACCESS

CANAL EDGE MATERIALS Granite cobbles and timber have been recognised materials used throughout the history of the Union Canal. The 4m strip of cobbles common to the canal edge should be retained or reinstated where possible, timber can add interest to areas in key locations. BOLLARDS The selection of bollards and other canal-side furniture should reflect existing elements, be of a high standard, functional, and add to the feel of the waterside/industrial setting.

LIGHTING Reflecting the waterside/industrial theme, providing enough light for visibility and safety, the selection of durable canal-side lighting should also be sympathetic to any surrounding residences.

SEATING As with other canal-side furniture, the seating along the canal frontage provides an opportunity for a feature element that relates to it’s heritage setting. Design and material selection should be appreciative of the surroundings and nature of the canal setting.

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DETAILED DESIGN ‘CANAL TOWPATH’ * • Fully co-ordinated paving details and finishes - all in natural stone. • Cohesive design strategy to tie into Viewforth / Leamington proposals • Retain simple and uncluttered heritage design to canal edge • Use of minimal trees along towpath corridor. Restrict trees to at least a minimum 5m set back.

KEY Viewforth Crossing / Plaza Leamington Crossing Linear Canal Towpath Lower Gilmore Pedestrian Bridge Edinburgh Quay - existing

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‘VIEWFORTH PLAZA’ * • Key public space and crossing point • Potential deep water canal basin or high quality public realm plaza • Active frontage - retail outlets / public uses • Public gathering / meeting space • Seasonal / temporary events space • Public seating / shelter

• • • •

Feature lighting Artwork ‘Central Focal Point’ Information point Green space provision

DETAILED DESIGN ‘LOWER GILMORE BRIDGE’ * • New pedestrian bridge crossing • Emphasise location as an additional key crossing point to the canal

‘LEAMINGTON CROSSING’ * • Key public space and crossing point • Active frontage - retail potential / public uses • Public gathering space • Feature lighting / Artwork • Public seating • High quality paved court

DESIGN STRATEGY IN SUMMARY: • The entire canal corridor through Fountainbridge should be co-ordinated in terms of both design intent and materials. • High quality natural stone paving is required throughout. • Co-ordinated lighting, artwork, street furniture, signage, and overall design principles will be fundamental to a successful scheme • Principles established at Edinburgh Quay are to be followed. • A strong emphasis on the site heritage and setting are to be integrated into any design solution.

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public realm strategy

DETAILED DESIGN Primary Public Realm 4.3 Primary Pedestrian Public Realm - High Quality A number of primary pedestrian routes link a series of key civic spaces within the scheme. The Viewforth and Leamington bridges, together with the linear canal frontage forms one of the most important and integral parts of the development. These key spaces link north along the pedestrianised Gilmore Park, crossing Fountainbridge Road at a new ‘local centre’, leading to the heart of Fountain North and connecting through to West Approach Road. A similar key route also follows the reconfigured Viewforth Road, again linking into Fountainbridge, encouraging pedestrian movement to flow through Fountain North along the newly created pedestrian thoroughfare.

Flush kerbs used to delineate carriageway - unified parking finish to be specified across shared surfaces

Street trees to be focused in open space locations or key nodal points and junctions

This zone encompasses all the key spaces within the Fountainbridge plan and will provide the area with its central character and design quality. The main public squares, routes and spaces within this area should be treated with natural stone paving materials and co-ordinated stone edges. Unit sizes are to be adjusted to take account of specific loading requirements to maintain a unified and simple surface treatment. Caithness, or Natural Granite as appropriate should be the predominant material, however, additional complementary natural stone materials could be incorporated in certain key areas to create alternative character and interest. This zone should provide the platform for public art features, canal edge integration and high quality civic spaces.

Public greenspace to be integrated into general street scene Buffer interface between private and public spaces to be considered as part of overall design

High quality surface finishes, co-ordinated street furniture, lighting and street trees will characterise this area.

RESIDENTIAL BUFFER 2.5m

SHARED SURFACE 11.5m

PUBLIC PLAY AREA 11.5m

FOOTPATH 2.0m

RESIDENTIAL BUFFER 2.5m

Indicative section through Road/Pedestrian Link.

The aim is to integrate both vehicular and pedestrian movements as they pass through a series of spaces that, whilst having a number of varied functions, are brought together through the use of a common palette of materials.

Potential school location

In certain locations there will be a need to create spaces that are to be used by both vehicles and pedestrians, with the pedestrian given informed priority. A ‘shared surface’ principal should be adopted, with one common material being continuous throughout the hard areas. The interface between building frontage and public realm should be careful and sensitively considered. At residential interfaces the separation could be defined by a simple edge treatment consisting of a low cope wall with an evergreen hedge planting to the back. This is designed to keep people back from the residential elevations without being a visual barrier between the public realm and the buildings. Commercial interfaces, in particular any retail or public buildings, should have a more inclusive and active frontage.

Potential retail unit

Figure 4.3: Typical Character Area - Primary Pedestrian Route *

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public realm strategy

At the interface and crossing points with the Union Canal the opportunity exists to create major, high quality public spaces. Specific key nodes exist within the emerging detailed plan and it is critical that these establish the framework around which the building forms and layout emerge.

Typical pedestrian boulevard

Pedestrian boulevard

DETAILED DESIGN Palette of materials: Typical Childrens play area

N AT U R A L S TO N E PAV I N G To be used within pedestrian / shared surface areas within the scheme. Consideration should be given to the use of either Granite to tie in with the canal/industrial heritage of the area and to provide a robust all purpose surface finish, or Caithness in keeping with the character of Edinburgh.

Vehicular controlled parking and access route Formal public open space

WHIN STONE KERB A consistent 250mm wide Whin Stone kerb to be used in all locations regardless of general paving material.

BOLLARDS The installation of bollards in the public realm should be minimal. Where they are required to perform a specific function, they should match metal work in the surrounding area and comply with the Edinburgh Standards for Streets Guidance.

Indicative view of shared Road/Pedestrian Link.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Artworkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; retaining wall Formal raised planters

LIGHTING While the approach to lighting should be mainly functional, lighting also provides an opportunity to enhance design features within the public realm. The placement and finshes used should be coordinated with all other external furniture and particularly metal work. STONE BENCHES To be used throughout the public realm, these will compliment adjacent stone surfaces and require minimal maintenance.

Typical Major pedestrian link

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DETAILED DESIGN Secondary Public Realm 4.4 Secondary Pedestrian Public Realm The secondary routes feed off the primary routes and spaces and, although not acting as key routes, they nevertheless connect major elements of the Fountainbridge plan. Although this zone does not encompass the major areas of urban realm there is still the opportunity to create areas of local character. These routes should be developed to a high quality design standard, however, the material palette in these areas can be adjusted to incorporate a proportion of high quality reconstituted/manmade materials, rather than natural stone. Although a degree of flexibility should be encouraged to create local identity, the objective is still to create a cohesive Fountainbridge plan that promotes and demonstrates unity. Lighting types and street trees should be used, along with a synergy in paving materials, to tie into the primary route network. However, elements of street furniture could be adopted and designed to establish a more local theme, particularly in conjunction with some of the residential streets.

Street trees are to be encouraged in open space areas, transition spaces and key nodes to provide interest and character

Figure 4.4: Typical Character Area - Secondary Pedestrian Route

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RESIDENTIAL BUFFER 2.5m

Vehicular and service access to be integral with pedestrian thoroughfares

FOOTPATH

RAISED PLANTING AREA

3.5m

11.0m

Indicative section through communal open space

SHARED SURFACE 8.0m

RESIDENTIAL BUFFER 2.0m

DETAILED DESIGN Water feature

Palette of materials: Typical Boundary treatment to private residential units

Communal open space Vehicular / pedestrian access circulation route

RECONSTITUTED STONE The use of natural stone should be encouraged, however, high quality reconstituted paving materials would be appropriate as long as interfaces with key public realm areas were dealt with appropriately. Surface materials should be selected as appropriate for the function and purpose of the space. Coutyard design may demand a more informal surface for example. WHIN STONE KERBS A consistent 250mm wide Whin Stone kerb to be used in all locations regardless of general paving material.

BOLLARDS The installation of bollards in the public realm should be minimal. Where they are required to perform a specific function, they should match metal work in the surrounding area.

Semi-mature tree planting

Temporary / visitor car parking spaces

Communal open space - local court

STONE BENCHES To be used throughout the public realm, these will compliment adjacent stone surfaces and require minimal maintenance. TIMBER BENCHES Timber benches can give a natural feel to more relaxed settings such as within semi-private courts.

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DETAILED DESIGN Semi Private Courts 4.5 Semi Private Courts The street layout and grain of the plan naturally creates a series of urban courts varying from public, through to semi private and private spaces. Specific opportunities present themselves within these areas whereby design character and individual styles can be introduced into the court areas between blocks. Strong emphasis should however still be placed on quality design and materials, and high levels of management and maintenance would be expected.

Figure 4.5: Typical Character Area - Semi Private Courts

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DETAILED DESIGN Functional Lighting

Additional Design Issues

The different lighting zones should be unified through a co-ordinated suite of poles, fixtures and fittings. A defined selection of light fixtures should be adhered to across the development, all either from the City of Edinburgh approved list or agreed in collaboration with the CEC Highways Engineers. Variations in column height and lux levels should be adopted to tie in with lighting requirements for specific character areas.

4.6 Lighting Concept

All lighting elements should be positioned in logical locations within the public realm and co-ordinated with all other streetscape elements, consideration should always be given to reducing ‘street clutter’. Finishes should also be co-ordinated where practical, for example, metal finishes are to be unified with all other external site metalwork.

The lighting strategy for Fountainbridge should be based on one of simplicity and functionality, with a co-ordinated approach based on users and uses within the area. It is envisaged that three distinct character zones should be applied to unify and identify the area at night.

Feature Lighting

• Vehicular Traffic Areas

Feature lighting within public areas (whether adopted or unadopted) should be encouraged, particularly in the key spaces. Uplighting of street trees and other vertical features again should be encouraged, albeit discreet.

• Shared Pedestrian/Vehicular Areas • Semi-Private Courts

Well designed lighting of building exteriors would be encouraged, the light source itself should not be visible, but should compliment the architecture and the external space lighting.

Typical Lighting Strategy

The colour light source must be consistent throughout the Fountainbridge area.

Ve h i c u l a r Tr a f f i c A r e a s High pole, between 8 – 10m tall, with wide staggered spacing.

S h a r e d Pe d e s t r i a n / Ve h i c u l a r A r e a s Lower pole, between 5 – 7m tall, with closer spacing. Where possible lighting to be single sided with poles in a single line through the space. Twin heads to be used where necessary to achieve sufficient lighting levels. Encourage the use of feature lighting within unadopted areas.

S e m i - Pr i v a t e C o u r t s Lower pole, 5 – 7m tall, to be used within vehicular parking areas. Bollard lighting to be used along pedestrian paths and residential access paths. ‘Marker’ lighting to be encouraged at building entrances and feature lighting to courtyard structures and trees within unadopted areas.

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DETAILED DESIGN 4.7 Primary Vehicular Routes The primary vehicular routes act as important feeder routes deflecting traffic away from the pedestrian friendly routes. The objectives for the primary roads should be to maintain a unified scheme throughout, working to standard City of Edinburgh highways specifications and streetscape principles, maintaining a tight palette of materials. Unifying elements such as trees, street lighting and furniture should be used to co-ordinate the key routes. The materials along the pedestrian elements of these routes are to be simple reconstituted slabs and setts, that will be durable and easy to maintain. Contrasting shades of material could be used to define the various zones across the street. Simplicity and standardisation of materials and specification across the scheme will help to ensure that future management and maintenance can be streamlined. Early discussions with CEC Highways Department should be encouraged.

The following points provide a broad basis upon which any new street or vehicular road should be considered and designed. •Designs should seek to reinforce the proportional relationship between the carriageway, footway and buildings by retaining or creating kerb lines that run parallel to buildings. •Seek to reduce corner radii to as small as possible in urban areas. Where street geometry allows larger vehicles can be accommodated within the overall geometry/width of the junction. •In new development areas and existing streets ensure that visibility splays are kept to a minimum. •Simplify junction layouts by attention to radii and visibility splays. Seek to provide simple and convenient crossing movements for pedestrians. •Maximise crossing widths for pedestrians at important junctions/key locations. •Apply set standards to the main elements of the design of streets, junctions and important spaces, by unifying geometry, radii, crossing points and widths and associated materials specification. •Associated footways should be level and even, with clear and uninterrupted access to adjacent development frontages. •Vehicle run ins and crossovers should not normally interrupt the footway layout. Dropped kerbs and reinforced surfaces are recommended. More specific guidance is provided in the Edinburgh Standards for Streets Part 2 Section 4.2 on carriageways, footways and general arrangements for streets.

Figure 4.6: Typical Character Area - Primary Vehicular Routes

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public realm strategy

RESIDENTIAL BUFFER

FOOTPATH

PARKING

ROADWAY

TREE PLANTING

FOOTPATH

UPPER PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY

2.8m

6.0m

2.8m

4.0m

Typical section through Primary Vehicular Route

DETAILED DESIGN Palette of materials: Typical ASPHALT ROAD SURFACE Highly adaptable and hard wearing surface to suit many situations, one of the main benefits being ease of maintenance and replacement should access to services be required.

Approach Road Semi-mature boulevard trees in bespoke tree grilles Vehicle run-ins and crossovers should not normally interrupt the footpath layout. Propped kerbs and reinforced surfaces are recommended. Alternative solutions to the use of bollards should be considered. Strengthened footways and increased kerb heights should be considered.

RESIN BONDED / ANTI-SKID SURFACE Resin bonded surfacing. Where surfacing is proposed in trafficked areas, anti-skid or high friction surfacing to be used as a durable alternative.

GRANITE CUBES To be used within residential areas and smaller spaces throughout. Colour, banding, or layout may vary to suit adjacent surfaces and differentiate between zones.

Controlled road-side parking

NATURAL STONE BLISTER PAVING Selection of materials to identify crossing points should take adjacent surfaces into consideration. As an example a natural stone blister paving should be used where the adjacent surfaces are also natural stone.

View looking along new Primary Vehicular Route

NATURAL STONE DRAINAGE GULLIES Colour and finish of drainage gullies to match adjacent paving and vehicular surfaces.

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DETAILED DESIGN 4.8 Public Art Opportunities Public Art should form an integral part of the Fountainbridge redevelopment, helping to enrich and animate the street environment. Consideration of all forms of art should be undertaken by future developers, however, to potentially maximise the benefit to the whole community a cohesive and practical application of art should be considered. The locations of any such art work installation or strategy should most appropriately be centred around the key public spaces. This strategy document does not propose to establish a theme or style for any art work strategy, however, a set of ideals should be followed to help gain most benefit from any art interventions: • Consider the integration of artwork at the earliest opportunity. • Attempt to introduce an integrated strategy that not only provides artistic qualities, but also has a practical application eg. consider feature lighting that could have a security benefit or sculptural murals that help to mitigate changes in level. • Look to supplement key urban spaces within the plan to help concentrate activity and interest within these newly defined civic spaces. At Fountainbridge, due to its heritage and cultural background, the City of Edinburgh Council are particularly interested in achieving a co-ordinated approach to public art. Future developers will be encouraged, through the ‘percentage for art’ scheme to make a significant contribution to public art. Any proposals should help to re-establish a local identity and enhance the quality of the wider environment. In order to achieve this a joint working group should be established between the Council, key public bodies, local interest groups and the future developers to deliver an appropriate vision and delivery strategy in relation to the public art.

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public realm strategy

DETAILED DESIGN 4.9 Cycle Routes/Cycle Provision

4.10 Play Areas

Cycle routes run through the Fountainbridge plan, forming an important part of transport network. Clearly defined routes could be established working to City of Edinburgh standards, however, in certain areas, through collaboration with CEC, key areas of the plan may require a more sensitive treatment in order to maintain the rationale for the streetscape.

Play areas should form an integral part of the Fountainbridge plan, a clear precedent has been set with the Fountain North application. A new play area has been created within the heart of this mixed use scheme. A similar proposal would be envisaged within the area to the south of Fountainbridge Road, potentially within Fountain South West.

Comments received during the Public Consultation Workshop suggest that, along key routes, shared surfaces should be created, rather than dedicated cycle lanes/routes – ‘cycle friendly’ zones could be introduced to ensure that safe integration with public realm routes and spaces is achieved and maintained.

Co-ordination with the City of Edinburgh again should be encouraged at the earliest opportunity. The aim should be to create safe and manageable space for mixed age groups, with clear consideration given to future maintenance and durability of materials.

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DETAILED DESIGN 4.11 Signage

4.12 Security and Safety

The aim should be to minimise signage, careful consideration should be given to its location and/or integration with other necessary street elements. Clear guidance is given in the new ‘Edinburgh Standards for Streets’ document which promotes fewer and better designed signage strategies and locations, similarly, PAN76 New Residential Streets also provides advice on signage and it’s function. Legislation and the Traffic and General Directions 2002 confirm the mandatory requirements for signs, otherwise superfluous or unnecessary signage should be excluded.

The public realm is space in which the public must have free access and enjoyment. The public realm must be fully accessible to all sectors of society. However, an individual’s access to and use of the public realm must not prejudice others freedoms of use and expression. Notwithstanding this the vast majority of people would expect a high quality environment, such as the emerging Fountainbridge area, to be safe and well maintained. Through the consultation process it has been identified that graffiti and unsociable behaviour needs to be controlled. With this in mind careful attention and consideration should be given when designing or selecting materials and street furniture elements to help dissuade any such antisocial activity. A safe and secure environment is a desirable environment. Consideration should be given to material types and finishes to help combat graffiti, surface finishes and texture to discourage skateboarders and cyclists in certain locations. CCTV may also be considered appropriate in certain key locations. Opportunities should be taken to integrate CCTV cameras with other street furniture poles or be located on buildings or structures to avoid additional poles at street level. Notwithstanding this any proposals should be in accordance with CEC policy and guidance.

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DETAILED DESIGN 4.13 Management and Maintenance Maintenance

Wa s t e M a n a g e m e n t The Council’s policy is for the containerisation of trade, domestic and recycling waste. The location of containers must be carefully considered in the context of the street, alternative solutions, including underground storage should be investigated to help reduce visual and physical street clutter.

The key aim at Fountainbridge should be to ensure high quality public realm, managed and maintained in a responsive and effective manner and to high standards. The quality of maintenance of the public realm has a direct impact on the attractiveness of the space. This is critical to the lasting success of Fountainbridge as a place that people will continue to want to visit, work and live in. A high standard of cleanliness is therefore critical to the success of Fountainbridge. Next to safety and security, cleanliness is considered the key ingredient for a successful urban realm. A clean environment looks cared for and therefore demands respect. A strategy should be put in place to ensure that close co-operation is established between the City Authority and the private management strategies established by the residents and commercial operators. There are many benefits to achieving high standards of maintenance as follows: • A high quality environment is more attractive to users and visitors warranting more frequent maintenance. • A clean environment is perceived as an environment safe from crime. • Graffiti and wanton damage encourages more abuse. • Speedy removal controls such activities, as it demonstrates a cared-for environment. • A well maintained high quality public realm setting is more attractive to building occupiers • Speedy repair of materials, due to wear and tear or deliberate damage, assists in accident prevention.

Management Certain elements of the design, primarily associated with the ‘shared surface’ areas, will require careful consideration at the design stage. On-street parking and interfaces with pedestrian priority and vehicular access will all need to be considered. At certain times of the year street vendors or events will form part of the local scene. Such events should be associated with key spaces, such as the canal frontage, to concentrate activity in planned and managed locations. These locations will need to incorporate service facilities (including power and water supplies) to ensure these active spaces are properly managed.

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TECHNICAL APPENDIX

TECHNICAL APPENDIX 5.0 Technical Appendix The following series of diagrams and strategy statements aim to establish a clear set of guidance for all the key design components of the Fountainbridge Urban Realm. The strategies should be seen as clear objectives for the areas future development, however, should also allow a degree of flexibility and design interpretation as the overall Masterplan emerges through its different development phases.

5.1 Phasing A key element of any master plan, particularly when dealing with a range of Developers, is the understanding of how the site would be implemented through its different phases. Of prime concern to the Council was the certainty of knowing when strategic elements of the plan would be realised, in particular the pedestrian routes linking the north site with the south. The City therefore sought reassurance that through the development phases the urban realm elements of the plan would be implemented in a co-ordinated and logical way that best suited the public realm objectives. The following Figure 5.1: Phasing Strategy, seeks to establish a logical phasing sequence, whereby certain development blocks would implement key areas of public realm regardless of adjacent development programmes and timescales. Thus ensuring that if for planning, legal, economic or other reasons certain elements of the plan where delayed the overall urban realm strategy would not be compromised.

Figure 5.1: Phasing Strategy

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TECHNICAL APPENDIX 5.2 Public Transport Links Public transport should be planned as an integral part of the street layout. Bus routes should be easily accessible, stops should be safe, well lit and related to key nodes and centres of activity.

N Indicative Plan

KEY Lothian Buses - Route 01

Lothian Buses - Route 27

Lothian Buses - Route 02

Lothian Buses - Route 30

Lothian Buses - Route 10

Lothian Buses - Route 34

Lothian Buses - Route 22

Lothian Buses - Route 35

Potential Zone for Bus Stop Locations

Figure 5.2: Public Transport Links

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TECHNICAL APPENDIX 5.3 Pedestrian Routes Safe and attractive pedestrian routes across Fountainbridge will be a major contributory factor in the success of the scheme. The activation of spaces and routes by people will help to bring life to area. At Fountainbridge a major emphasis has been placed on creating high quality and safe pedestrian corridors. Any future plans should acknowledge this and ensure that the correct emphasis is placed on the design and implementation of these routes.

N Indicative Plan

KEY Primary Pedestrian Route Defined Pedestrian Zone Potential Major Controlled Pedestrian Crossing Potential Controlled Pedestrian Crossing

Figure 5.3: Pedestrian Routes *

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Potential New Waterspace/Public Realm

TECHNICAL APPENDIX 5.4 Vehicular Routes Where appropriate street design should seek to reduce vehicle speed, rather than ease traffic flow. Measures to minimise traffic speed by the implementation of speed tables and surface changes should be used, particularly on secondary routes. On-street parking, although encouraged in certain areas, should be controlled and managed to ensure that the impact of the car is minimised. The streetscape design should seek to avoid the abuse of uncontrolled on-street parking.

N Indicative Plan

KEY Main Vehicular Route Cycle Network Connection

Figure 5.4: Vehicular Routes / Cycle Network

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TECHNICAL APPENDIX 5.5 Service Access / Courts Consideration should be given in any future design to the interface between pedestrians and vehicle movements, particularly on key routes and adjacent to public spaces. Where possible all development blocks should be accessed, either by car and service vehicles, directly from primary vehicular routes. Where this is not achievable then careful consideration should be given to the surface treatments and priorities to ensure minimal confusion. Priority should be given to pedestrians wherever possible.

N Indicative Plan

KEY Service Road Service Court Vehicular Access Vehicular Access (through pedestrian area)

Figure 5.5: Service Access / Courts

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public realm strategy

Shared Pedestrian / Vehicular Zone

TECHNICAL APPENDIX 5.6 Recreation - Green Space/Play Areas/Events Recreational open space whether passive or active should form an integral part of the scheme. The Fountain North scheme proposes a childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s play area central to the scheme. A similar facility would be envisaged to the south of Fountainbridge Road. Any such facility should be designed in full collaboration with the City of Edinburgh Council to ensure compatibility with their adoption and management standards. The Union Canal provides a wildlife corridor through this urban area and opportunities to enhance itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s amenity, recreational and biodiversity value should form an integral part of the proposals.

N Indicative Plan

KEY Public Childrens Play Area Public Green Space Zone Semi Private Green Space Zone Potential New Waterspace/Public Realm

Figure 5.6: Recreation - Green Space/Play Areas/Events *

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TECHNICAL APPENDIX 5.7 Lighting Primary vehicular and pedestrian routes will have light fixtures from the City of Edinburgh Council approved list, or agreed in collaboration with City of Edinburgh Council Highways Engineers. A defined selection of light fixtures should be adhered to across the development. Variations in column height and lux levels will be adopted to tie in with lighting requirements for specific character zones. Feature lighting within public areas (whether adopted or unadopted) should be encouraged, particularly in the key spaces. Uplighting of street trees again should be encouraged, albeit discreet. Well designed lighting of building exteriors would be encouraged, the light source itself should not be visible, but should compliment the architecture and the external space lighting. The colour light source must be consistent throughout the Fountainbridge area.

N Indicative Plan

KEY Primary Street Lighting Secondary Street Lighting Private Court Lighting

Figure 5.7: Lighting and Public Art

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public realm strategy

TECHNICAL APPENDIX 5.8 Street Trees Developers should be encouraged to work within a select palette of tree species to ensure a cohesive street tree theme, helping to visually link key routes and spaces. All primary routes should be reinforced with a controlled selection of tree species. In contrast the semi private routes and garden courts can be characterised with a less rigid and controlled palette of species, allowing private courts and spaces to develop their own identity, within a more controlled public grid.

N Indicative Plan

KEY Primary Street Tree Zones Fountainbridge Corridor Tree Zones Secondary Street Tree Zones Private Courts / Garden Tree Zones

Figure 5.8: Street Tree Zones

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Lights Over Union Canal

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy

Project Documentation

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy DECEMBER 2011

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy

December 2011

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy

Contents T HE E DINBURGH U NION C ANAL S TRATEGY

C ONTENTS

Union Canal is now enjoyed on a daily basis by people from across the city and beyond for a variety of uses such

B ACKGROUND

as boating, rowing, walking, cycling and fishing.

T HE E DINBURGH U NION C ANAL S TRATEGY

ince its re-birth as part of the Millennium Link Project the Union Canal has come a long way from a derelict backwater to become one of Edinburgh’s most important heritage, recreational and community assets. The

The Union Canal is also a focus for new development,

The City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) and British

particularly at Fountainbridge, for new canal boat

Waterways Scotland (BWS) have prepared this strategy

moorings and marinas and for canal-focused

for the Union Canal within the Edinburgh area to

community activities. However, as the canal is

guide its development and to promote a vision of the

developed, it must also be protected and its potential

place we wish the Union Canal to be.

maximised for the for the benefit of the wider community and environment.

“ The Union Canal is one of Edinburgh’s hidden gems. We hope this Strategy will allow more of our citizens to appreciate and benefit from its beauty as well as the economic development potential it provides.” Councillor Tim McKay, Edinburgh Canal Champion

“ The publication of the new Edinburgh Canal Strategy is a major milestone in the renaissance of the two hundred year old Union Canal. The draft strategy was very well received during the consultation process. It proved what an increasingly important role the canal plays within the capital and the appetite everyone has for making it a vibrant and unique place to work, live or play. We now look forward to building on the consultation, working with the City of Edinburgh Council and local waterside communities to bring this exciting vision to life.”

S teve Dunlop, Director, British Waterways (Scotland)

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

K EY A IMS AND O BJECTIVES

Current Context

S COTLAND ’S C ANALS

T HE U NION C ANAL I N E DINBURGH

H ISTOR Y AND H ERITAGE

P LANNING AND D EVELOPMENT

E NVIRONMENT AND B IODIVERSITY

M OVEMENT AND C ONNECTIVITY

C OMMUNITY AND TOURISM

The Strategy

O PPOR TUNITY 1 - A CCESS TO THE U NION C ANAL

O PPOR TUNITY 2 - WATER WAY, DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT

O PPOR TUNITY 3 - C OMMUNITY, R ECREATION AND TOURISM

O PPOR TUNITY 4 - I NFRASTRUCTURE , DRAINAGE , CLIMATE CHANGE

The Canal Hubs

R ATHO

WESTER H AILES - THE CALDERS

- HAILES QUARR Y PARK

- TOWN CENTRE

M EGGETLAND

H ARRISON P ARK

L OCHRIN B ASIN

Delivery Plan

December 2011

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy

Background

In early 2010 the Edinburgh Canal Development Group initiated the preparation of a strategy for the Union Canal within the City’s administrative boundaries. A

series of focus group meetings followed with local and community councillors, the canal community user groups and stakeholder bodies such as SEPA and Sustrans, to discuss the Union Canal, which led to the to preparation of an Edinburgh Canal

Strategy Consultation Document in September 2010. The Consultation Document set out a number of questions, the aim of which was to discuss how to make the Union Canal into a recognisable place whilst identifying issues to be taken forward in the resultant Draft Canal Strategy. Between October and December 2010 a number of consultation events were held to discuss the questions set out within the Consultation Document. The key aim of the consultation exercise was to explore the opportunities and issues with a range of stakeholders whilst promoting community involvement in the current and future use of the Union Canal. In May 2011, the draft Edinburgh Canal Strategy was prepared for public consultation. The draft Strategy set out a series of opportunities for development and a hub strategy around which development could be based. Between June and August, a number of further public consultation events were held, including at the annual Edinburgh Canal Festival, the aim of which was to: •

develop further ideas on how to improve the use of the canal as an asset of the city through the ‘opportunities’ outlined within the Strategy

•

identify whether consultees agree/disagree with the proposed ‘Hub Strategy’ and consider the hubs in are the right place and have the right objectives;

•

gather views on increasing the use of the water space along the canal, canal-side development proposals, and access points and,

•

To consider whether anything was missing from the Strategy or should be removed.

Following the consultation, this final Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy has now been prepared. The Strategy and its accompanying Delivery Plan now set out policies and proposals which aim to make the Union Canal into a successful and recognisable place.

December 2011

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy

Key Aims and Objectives

he Key Aims and Objectives of the Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy are to:

• Set out the aspirations of the Council, British Waterways (Scotland), and other partner organisations in relation to the Union Canal within the Edinburgh boundary and in relation to the wider canal network; • Identify and set out the key heritage, community and environmental considerations as a basis for the future protection of the Canal as it develops; • Ensure that there is a balance between the creation and stimulation of a lively canal culture and increased use of the canal towpath and waterspace, as well as protecting the environment in terms of wildlife and biodiversity as well as existing communities; • Present opportunities for development along the length of the Union Canal within the Edinburgh boundary and the creation of 7 canal hubs; • Establish clear planning and environmental policies and guidance for developing beside or on the canal; and,

Canal Barge © Grant Ritchie - www.photosofedinburgh.co.uk

• Set out a Delivery Plan for the future development of the canal.

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

December 2011

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy

www.photosofedinburgh.co.uk

Lochrin Basin © Grant Ritchie www.photosofedinburgh.co.uk

December 2011

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy

Current Context

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

December 2011

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy

December 2011

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy

Current Context

Scotland’s Canals Scotland’s canal network is over 200 years old and travels for 137 miles from Loch Ness in the north to Fort William and Glasgow in the west, via Falkirk to Edinburgh in the East. The Scottish canal network is a national and international asset, not just for its recreational value, but as for its important industrial heritage. The Scottish canal network is made up of 5 canals, in the Highlands - the Caledonian and the Crinan, and in the Lowlands - the Monkland, the Forth and Clyde and the Edinburgh and Glasgow Union, known more simply as The Union Canal.

The Union Canal In Edinburgh The Union Canal in Edinburgh runs for 16km between and through the communities of Ratho, Wester Hailes, Longstone, Craiglockhart, Merchiston, Polwarth and Tollcross, terminating at Fountainbridge in the city centre. The canal also passes Harrison Park, Meggetland and Hailes Park, and crosses over the Water of Leith via the 180m long Slateford Aqueduct. The Union Canal is not just a heritage asset for Edinburgh, but also a navigable waterway for boating, an important wildlife habitat, a walking, jogging and cycling route, and a focus for new canal side development and for local community use.

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

December 2011

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy

Current Context

History and Heritage

he Union Canal, the last of Scotland’s major canals, was a commercial venture begun in 1818 and completed in 1822. It was built principally as a means of importing coal and lime into Edinburgh, and ran from Port Hopetoun in

Edinburgh to join the Forth & Clyde Canal at Camelon, Stirlingshire. Designed by the engineer Hugh

In 2002, Britain’s largest canal restoration project, The Millennium Link,

Baird, the 31.5 mile Union Canal

restored navigation, and with an extension to the Union Canal and a link

was built in only 4 years between

with the Forth & Clyde Canal through the Falkirk Wheel, boats were once

1818 and 1822 at a cost of

more able to travel between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

£461,760 – twice its initial estimate. The Canal was built using picks, shovels and wheelbarrows by

The Union Canal is a significant industrial heritage asset not just for the city, but nationally and internationally and is recognised as such by its scheduled ancient monument status.

Port Hopetoun, Union Canal, Edinburgh,.

‘navvies’. Many immigrants came

The Union Canal was built as a ‘contour canal’ - it follows a 73m contour

from Ireland to work on the canal

throughout its length. The canal has no locks; instead it travels over three

P OR T H OPETOUN

including notably William Burke

aqueducts, including the second largest aqueduct in Britain - the Avon

Port Hopetoun formed the eastern terminus of the canal at Lothian

and William Hare.

Aqueduct by Linlithgow, Slateford Aqueduct that takes the canal over

Road. At the height of the canal trade in the mid-19th century Port

the Water of Leith in Edinburgh and the Almond Aqueduct near Ratho.

Hopetoun was a busy port, employing a large workforce of dockers to

labourers known as navigators –

The canal was officially opened in May 1822, the first boat to make the

complete journey by water bringing flagstones from Denny to Port

The canal also passes through the oldest and longest canal tunnel in

Hopetoun. However, within 20 years of completion most of its passenger

Scotland - the 631m Falkirk Tunnel. At the Edinburgh end, the Leamington

traffic was lost to the railways, and the Edinburgh basins closed in 1922.

lift bridge can be found at Fountainbridge. This hydraulic bridge was built

The rest of the canal remained navigational until 1965 when it was finally

in 1906 by Armstrong of Newcastle and was refurbished and re-opened

closed by an Act of Parliament.

as part of the Millennium Link Project in 2002.

unload the barges that brought coal, timber, stone, slate, brick, sand and lime into Edinburgh from the west. It was also the departure point for the fast passenger boats that ran day and night between Edinburgh and Glasgow, and the cattle boats that followed the same route. However, as the canal trade declined the area around the port gradually deteriorated, and by the early 20th century the port was described as ‘one of the most hideous features of Edinburgh’. The basin closed in

Lift Bridge

Scheduled Ancient Monuments 1 Union Canal 2 Craigpark Quarry 3 Baberton Mains 4 Colinton Castle

1922, and a new terminus, Lochrin Basin, established on the south side of Fountainbridge.

Aqueduct

Aqueduct 2

5 3 4

Port Hopetoun from Lothian Road/Fountainbridge during infill of basin

December 2011

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy

Current Context

Planning and Development T HE M ILLENNIUM L INK P ROJECT

FOUNTAINBRIDGE D EVELOPMENT B RIEF

E DINBURGH Q UAY

Plans for reconnecting the Union Canal with the Forth and Clyde Canal

The Fountainbridge Development Brief was approved by The City of

Edinburgh Quay was the first significant commercial

‘The Millennium Link project’ was launched by British Waterways in 1994,

Edinburgh Council in 2004 and amended in 2005. The Brief set out the

development to take advantage of the reopening

with funding secured in 1997.

planning context for the Edinburgh end of the Union Canal following the

canal, built on a largely derelict land at the canal’s

closure of Fountain Brewery by Scottish and Newcastle.

Edinburgh terminus at Lochrin Basin. As part of the

The £84.5 million pound project started in March 1999 and included a number of significant engineering projects including on the Union Canal

The purpose of the brief was to establish a comprehensive townscape

a new section of canal at Wester Hailes, the diversion of the canal by the

and infrastructure framework for the Fountainbridge area. The brief sets

M8 motorway and a new bridge, the reopening of the Leamington Lift

outs the main planning and design principles on which development in

Bridge and the joining together of the two canals by the Falkirk Wheel.

the area will be based, and seeks to maximise the benefits of regeneration

The Union Canal was officially reopened in 2001, with the Millennium Link completed with the opening of the Falkirk Wheel by HRH The Queen

for local communities and the City as a whole. The development brief covers 32.5 hectares and a wide range of uses.

and The Duke of Edinburgh in May 2002 marking the completion of the project.

development more than 5500sqm of office space has been created in the last five years. There has also been a significant level of residential and student housing development around the canal at Leamington Wharf and Fountain North as part of the Fountainbridge redevelopment. There is still a significant amount of derelict land at Fountainbridge. The remainder of the Fountainbridge site is currently under consideration as part of a planning application

P LANNING P OLICY The Edinburgh City Local Plan 2010 recognises that the restored canal

T HE CANAL WATER WAY

network is a nationally significant asset with considerable potential for recreational use and canal related development. However, proposals

Traditionally canals were navigated by canal boats or

have to take account of its interest as a scheduled ancient monument

‘narrow boats’ designed to carry goods on the narrow

and its importance for wildlife.

canals. Larger wider boats such as ‘barges’ were also used. Today, many of these boats can still be seen

The Plan recognises that there is potential for development within the

moored at Lochrin Basin or along the canal banks at

urban area, and include most importantly sites around the terminal

Harrison Park and Ratho.

basin at Fountainbridge, indentifed by the Plan as one of its Central Area proposals (CA 3) and covered by the Fountainbridge Development Brief.

There are many types of moorings available on

Other urban area locations with special potential are Wester Hailes and

the Union Canal, including long term moorings

Harrison Park, but recognises that any feasible proposal will need to be

(otherwise known as home moorings) used for the

the subject of consultation with local communities.

general berthing of a boat, visitor moorings for those taking a holiday on the canal, commercial moorings

The Plan highlights that development adjoining the canal should focus

for restaurants and offices, and residential moorings

on the canal, by providing active frontages and a diversity of uses and

for people who wish to live permanently on a boat.

by enhancing access for pedestrians and cyclists to the canal. Attention should also be paid to its nature conservation value.

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

December 2011

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy

Current Context

Environment and Biodiversity

he Union Canal is one of Edinburgh’s most important wildlife corridors. Contained within a narrow strip of waterway and towing path one can find an astonishing range of different habitats, from slow flowing

freshwater with its adjacent reed fringe to grassland, hedgerow and woodland. Since closure the canal has

developed a diverse aquatic and emergent fringe flora.

The canal stretches through both rural and urban areas, linking adjacent woodlands, species rich grasslands and other watercourses, and allowing relatively easy movement through often otherwise hostile and more intensively managed surrounding land. For these reasons the canal is identified as a Local Nature Conservation Site (LNCS). All of the Union Canal receives protection from development in relevant local plans.

E DINBURGH L OCAL B IODIVERSITY A CTION P LAN (ELBAP) 2010-2015 The Union Canal is included in the Freshwater and Wetland section of the Edinburgh Local Biodiversity Action Plan (EBLAP) 2010-2015. British Waterways is a partner in this plan. The canal is identified for its important function in the city, providing semi-natural habitat and commuting corridors for wildlife, as well as recreation and amenity benefits. The plan stressed that it is important that habitat and water quality is maintained and enhanced. The overall aims of the ELBAP Freshwater and Wetland plan are 1. To maintain and enhance the biological diversity of Edinburgh’s rivers, canals, lochs, ponds and other freshwater habitat. 2. To help deliver the requirements of the Water Framework Directive by helping to achieve good ecological status of Edinburgh’s wetland habitats. The ELBAP identifies that the Edinburgh Canal Strategy should include objectives for biodiversity enhancement.

Environment and Biodiversity Union Canal Green Corridor Green Belt Public Parks Urban Woodland

H ABITATS AND SPECIES The Union canal environment supports a wide range of associated fauna including ten different fish species, dragonflies, damselflies and other invertebrates, wetland birds, bats, badgers, seed eating birds, bees, otters and water voles. In terms of habitats, these include the diverse water’s edge and towpath grasslands. The boundary habitats of hedges and stone walls offer valuable habitats for mosses and lichens as well as small mammals such as weasels. The canal corridor is enclosed by these boundary features, which together with the canal’s bridges, aqueducts and buildings, provides important habitat for bats.

December 2011

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy

Current Context

Movement and Connectivity

hilst the Union Canal towpath was once used by horses, attached to canal boats to pull them along the water, it is now a popular walking and cycling route. Around seven million people use the canal’s towpath annually,

ranging from running to walking the dog.

C YCLING AND WALKING

Movement and Connectivity Union Canal Walking /Cycle route Rail line and stations Bus Routes

The towpath connects Edinburgh to Kirkintilloch and the Bowling Basin on the west coast of Scotland via the Forth and Clyde canal to Edinburgh. The towpath forms part of the 106km cycle route NCN 754 and ‘Forth to Firth’ pathway. The Union Canal also forms part of the 138km ‘Forth to Clyde’ cycle route (Sustrans route NCN 75). The towpath is also popular for local commuting, either via cycle or foot as it provides a direct traffic-free route into the city centre and links with the Water of Leith and The Roseburn Path. The Union Canal can also be reached by train from Haymarket, Slateford, Kingsknowe, Wester Hailes and Edinburgh Park Stations.

B OATING ON THE U NION C ANAL By the 1930s, leisure boating was a popular pastime, on the canal, with a boating station established at Slateford, and closer to the city centre at Johnston’s Boat-houses at Port Hopetoun, then the eastern terminal basin of the canal. The oldest rowing club on the canal, St Andrew’s Boat Club at Meggetland, dates from 1846. Regattas between rival university clubs were popular throughout the 1920s and 1930s, and several Edinburgh schools also established boat clubs on the canal. Today, the St Andrew’s Rowing Club, George Watson’s Rowing Club, Heriot’s Rowing Club and Edinburgh University Rowing Clubs as well as the Forth Canoe Club are all based on the Union Canal at Meggetland

Johnston’s Boat-houses, Lochrin Basin.

©Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland; Licensor www.scran.ac.uk.

and by Harrison Park.

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

December 2011

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy

Current Context

Community and Tourism T HE E DINBURGH C ANAL FESTIVAL

R E - UNION

S EAGULL TRUST C RUISES

The annual Edinburgh Canal Festival, held at

Re-Union Canal Boats is a social enterprise operating a widebeam canal

The Seagull Trust was formed in 1978 to provide free canal cruising for

Edinburgh Quay in June, offers an opportunity

boat from Edinburgh Quay. Re-Union work with volunteers from all

disabled people and to help revitalise the decaying Scottish Lowland

for people of all ages to experience at first hand

walks of life and offer crew training through the NCBA and the RYA which

Waterways.

the appeal of the Union Canal. Organised by Re-

allows their volunteers to operate a 35 passenger carrying boat to cruise

union and sponsored by The City of Edinburgh

the Union Canal. The boat offers a unique, fully accessible, venue and is

Council and British Waterways the festival hosts

available for community, corporate and private hire.

the Edinburgh Raft Race, free boat and canoe trips, a wee boat flotilla, bands, an canal art exhibition, stalls and performers.

Edinburgh Quay

Lochrin basin at Edinburgh Quay has also been an Edinburgh festival venue, including hosting parties for the 2003 and 2007 Edinburgh Film Festival.

C OMMUNITY The Union Canal in Edinburgh is promoted by 3 third sector organisations,

In 1997 Seagull Trust Cruises was formed as a Company Limited by Guarantee to simplify some of the operational functions of the Trust. At the end of October 2007 the Seagull Trust was disbanded leaving the

Re-Union also work with communities along the Union Canal and

Company to manage the operation of the cruising programme. Initially

manage canoe building programmes, supported the development of

cruises ran from Ratho on the Union Canal but there are now a total

Bridge 8 canoe club, host a floating youth club, planted an orchard and

of four branches located in Scotland on the Union, Forth & Clyde and

is working on the Calders Community Garden development.

Caledonian Canals.

Re-Union also co-ordinate canal based events and carry out regular

The Seagull trust currently operate two boats from their base by The

community consultations.

Bridge Inn at Ratho - the Mackay Seagull and the St John Crusader II

All of these activities are designed to

encourage positive engagement with the community resource that is

which both carry a maximum of 12 people.

the Union Canal.

Edinburgh Canal Society, based at Harrison Park, Re-Union Canal Boats, who operate from Edinburgh Quay and the Seagull Trust who have a base at Ratho.

E DINBURGH C ANAL S OCIETY Edinburgh Canal Society was set up in 1986, to join the Linlithgow and Forth and Clyde Societies’ work in promoting the canals’ survival and regeneration. The Society was one of the official Millennium Link partners involved in the reopening of the Union Canal in 2001 and was involved in the first Edinburgh Canal Festival in 2009. Edinburgh Canal Society are based at the iconic Ashley Terrace Boathouse by Harrison Park. The Society rents both rowing boats for up to six people every Sunday, as well as trips on a classic motor Kelvin Launch between Edinburgh Quay and Harrison Park. The boathouse was moved to in its present location by Ashley Terrace Bridge in 1987 and is due to be refurbished.

Ashley Terrace Boathouse © Grant Ritchie

December 2011

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy

The Strategy T

he development of a strategy for the Union Canal within Edinburgh has provided the chance to discuss opportunities to make the canal into a recognisable place whilst addressing issues that may impair its potential. The Strategy is separated into sections which aim to

promote, develop and protect the Union Canal whilst creating a sense of place.

Opportunities for the Canal have been group into four sections

The Strategy promotes the creation of seven Canal Hubs, each

and set out key opportunities and projects under each heading:

with their own special character. These hubs will become a focus for canal related and canal side developments including moorings,

•

Access to the Union Canal

•

Development and Environment

•

Ratho

•

Wester Hailes - The Calders - Town Centre

public realm and access improvements whilst protecting the

- Hailes Quarry Park

natural and built environment and existing communities. The Canal Hubs are:

•

Community, Recreation and Tourism

•

Infrastructure, drainage and climate change

•

Meggetland

•

Harrison Park

•

Lochrin Basin

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City of Edinburgh Council City Development

LO C H RI N B A SI N

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December 2011

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy

The Strategy

Opportunity 1 - Access to the Union Canal

he Union Canal is an important resource for the city; the towpath is used as a walking and cycling commuter route, for informal leisure activities, and the waterspace for boating, rowing and canoeing. The canal corridor also

helps connect canalside communities with the wider city. Promoting and managing these uses whilst enhancing and

protecting the canal environment is one of the aims of the Edinburgh Canal Strategy.

K EY O PPOR TUNITIES •

Using the Canal as a means of sustainable transport, for both leisure and commuting users

•

Improving local use, access and visual connections with the canal corridor, the local communities and the wider City

•

Managing competing canal and canal uses - canoeists, rowers, leisure boaters, commercial craft, walkers, cyclists and anglers

•

Improving the sense of safety and securing the future maintenance of the canal.

Access Improvements Good Access Issue Identified Improvement Required

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December 2011

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City of Edinburgh Council City Development

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy

The Strategy

P ROJECTS 1. C ANAL USER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

2. TOWPATH CAPACITY MANAGEMENT

3. TOWPATH ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS

“Safety should rely on other users adopting a responsible conduct as well, such as having one’s dog (or sometimes one’s toddler!) under control”

“Organise cycling/walking routes from residential areas further away from the canal to the canal corridor to improve sustainable transport options. Create / enable more traffic free cycle routes to town for commuters”

“Creating more access points (especially in the section between Harrison Park and the canal basin); clearer marking of canal accesses and crossing places would significantly improve matters”

to be developed with canal community and towpath users to help

The Union Canal towpath is part of a Family Network within The Council’s

•

prevent conflict

Active Travel Action Plan. The Family Network proposes greater use of

Where the towpath is too narrow consideration should be given to widning to sustain multiple use including hedge and towpath management

•

The canal will form a key component of a wider network of routes for recreation as well as active travel, including the creation of additional links and routes

Access points improving existing access points to make them more evenly graded for cyclists and other users and the creation of new accesses

•

Improvement to conditions on parallel roads as to make cyclefriendly as possible to encourage commuting cyclists to use the roads.

Improved signage of access points, speed limits and awareness raising Lighting strategy - installing unobtrusive as possible low impact lighting

•

Better and more frequent of control of foliage growth.

•

Disabled access for people with special needs requires more attention. Provision should be made for disabled people at key hub points - e.g. disabled parking, seats and ‘passing places’ at short intervals.

•

Improved cycle storage facilities along the route.

Responsible code of conduct - guidance, information or code of practice

•

Development of signage and traffic calming measures such as chicanes, speed bumps and other hard measure where appropriate

routes such as the Union Canal by less experienced/leisure cyclists. For more experienced cyclists, a Cycle Friendly City Network is also being developed. •

•

Development of a commuter, community and tourism boat taxi / park and ride service from edge of city to city centre.

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

December 2011

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy

The Strategy

Opportunity 2 - Waterway, development and environment

here is a challenge in promoting canal side developments whilst protecting the existing character of the proposed hubs including the village of Ratho and the canal environment at Harrison Park as well as the historic canal structure

and environment and biodiversity.

Therefore it is important that the Canal Strategy promotes the proper integration between canal-side development and the canal corridor by establishing appropriate design principles both for new development

K EY O PPOR TUNITIES •

Offering opportunities for large and small scale development ranging from new businesses and offices to small scale community housing and job opportunities at a number of development sites along the canal.

•

Creating new waterspace and moorings where appropriate in order to establish a strong waterway community including residential moorings where residential amenity can be achieved and the existing local amenity and the environment will not be compromised.

on the canal banks and on the water. The canal corridor also provides a very important landscape feature both from the natural heritage and historic environment perspective. The approach to development and management of the canal therefore has to strike a balance between the care of historic built environment features with living skin of wildlife habitats and species.

Development Proposals Map 1 Freelands Road 2 Calder Road Site 3 Wester Hailes Town Centre 4 Hailes Quarry Park 5 Meggetland Watersports Centre 6 Harrison Park

Yeoman Place Access Gibson Terrace Access Fountainbridge Bridge Fountainbridge Development Arnold Clark site Bingo Hall

December 2011

Improving and developing appropriate canal-side facilities for boaters and non boaters including toilets, seating, signage, and lighting.

•

Securing the future maintenance of the canal and canalside environment by securing support for the canal corridor from canalside developments

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City of Edinburgh Council City Development

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy

The Strategy

P ROJECTS 1. M OORINGS AND WATERSPACE

2. D EVELOPMENT OF C ANAL D EVELOPMENT P RINCIPLES

The Strategy supports the development of new canal boat moorings and

•

Canal side and waterway developments should:

The Edinburgh Canal Strategy proposes to:

•

Respect the setting of the canal as a scheduled ancient monument

•

Accept that the waterway, towing path and environs are an integral part of the public realm of new waterside development in terms of both design and management

Support the protection, conservation and enhancement of the Union Canal and the character, feature and quality of its biodiversity including its waterway habitats and protected species, flora and fauna.

• •

Treat the canal as a space and leisure and commercial resource in its own right not just a setting or backdrop for development.

• Consider the collection of Integrated habitat network information to inform habitat connectivity enhancements to contribute to the wider Central Scotland Green Network

•

Be orientated so that of buildings optimise views of the water, generate natural surveillance of water space, and encourage and improve access to, along and from the water.

•

Develop the riparian corridor of the union canal through the rural west.

•

Continue British Waterways annual wildlife survey.

•

Be designed to include for water-based development, use and enhancement.

•

Develop volunteer involvement in habitat management

•

Maintain or provide public access to the canal edge and towpath and enhance access for pedestrians, cyclists, canoeists, rowers and boaters.

•

Eradicate invasive plant species including Japanese knotweed and Himalayan Balsam and management of Dutch elm diseased trees

•

Encourage the creation of canal side communities with a range of complementary uses and space for activity

•

Strike a balance between the range of mooring types and between mobile and static commercial boats.

•

Include designs which enhance biodiversity value e.g. green roofs, sustainable urban drainage systems, vegetated areas which link to the canal and new buildings including nestboxes for species such as swallows and house martins.

waterspace where appropriate and identified within the Strategy. New residential and commercial moorings on the towpath and off-side as well as new fixed floating structures will require planning permission and will be assessed in terms of their impact on amenity and the environment. Change of use of existing moorings for canal boats within the hubs does

Lochrin Basin © Grant Ritchie - www.photosofedinburgh.co.uk

not require planning permission.

C ANAL ENVIRONMENT

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

December 2011

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy

The Strategy

Opportunity 3 - Community, Recreation and Tourism

he Canal connects Edinburgh to the rest of the central belt of Scotland and brings the waterway right into the heart of the city. It is this that can be built on to provide new high-quality community and tourist destinations/facilities,

raise awareness of the canal system, its significance, and its value to potential visitors. The canal is also an educational resource in this own right, providing a source of open air activity.

Given the national and city wide significance and the quality of its historic, natural and recreational resources, the Union Canal should be a key part of and contributor to the Edinburgh economy and for the

K EY O PPOR TUNITIES •

Improving the environment by providing green space and recreational facilities within the urban area by improving and developing appropriate canal-side facilities

•

Improving the relationship of surrounding communities and local use, using the canal as a catalyst to community regeneration

city’s residents. However, despite this, the Union Canal does not have the status that it deserves.

Recreation / Community / Tourism Recreation Public Space Commercial / Entertainment 3 Visitor moorings

December 2011

Raise awareness of the scheduled status of the canal and to promote its heritage value.

•

Improving the appeal and visibility of the canal as a tourist attraction with accessible information on things to do and see

with number of available

•

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy

The Strategy

P ROJECTS 1. I NTERPRETATION AND PUBLIC AR T •

Encourage joint working between The Council, Historic Scotland, British Waterways Scotland and other interested parties could help to achieve better promotion of the heritage value of the canal including the promotion of heritage structures such as the Leamington Lift Bridge

•

Provide innovative means of interpreting and showcasing the Canal’s built and natural heritage through interpretive displays, sculptures/ artwork and events.

•

Introduce public art along the canal corridor to create a unique sense of place.

•

Install brown tourist signage, particularly at the Hubs.

2. C OMMUNITY FACILITIES •

Promote the importance of the safe and attractive route provided along the canal for walking, cycling, canoeing, rowing, boating, horse riding, and fishing.

•

Improve facilities for water uses along the canal, with specific focus on community facilities to engage the wider public.

•

Encourage small scale canal side commercial developments to enhance the canal as a place to go

•

Create and improve greenspace, where possible, around the defined Hubs and along the canal length.

•

Increase awareness in local schools to promote the canal as a key part of the community.

•

Reduce vandalism and graffiti

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

December 2011

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy

The Strategy

Opportunity 4 - Infrastructure, drainage, climate change

he Union Canal is not just a community and environmental resource but part of the land drainage system and a source of renewable energy and form. Therefore, any new development or redevelopment of existing property on

or close to the canal should consider the sustainable benefits the canal has to offer.

K EY O PPOR TUNITIES

P ROJECTS

•

Exploring the canal as a water resource including improving water quality, managing land drainage and avoiding, reducing and managing flood risk

1. S UR FACE WATER

2. R ENEWABLE ENERGY, H EATING AND C OOLING

With a great demand on Scotland’s sewerage system, any process

The canal is s a renewable energy resource – for example, generating

Considering how the canal can contribute to supporting climate change, carbon reduction and Environmental Sustainability

that results in surface water being treated in a sustainable way is a real

onshore hydro electric power, using canal water for heating and cooling

advantage. The canal is well placed in Edinburgh to take surface water

buildings. This heat exchange technology is being used throughout

from existing and new developments. As such the canal should be

the UK and extensively in Northern Europe. Companies that adopt

considered as a cost effective solution for the receiver of all surface water

the canal cooling/heating concept can potentially recoup their initial

generated form new developments.

outlay within four years through electricity savings, and then go on to

•

Promoting the innovative use of the canal towpath as a utility and telecommunications route

enjoy cheaper utility bills, as well as substantially reducing their carbon footprint. Any development that occurs within a 250m proximity of the canal should consider the use of this cutting edge technology as a long term sustainable solution.

3. G REY WATER Commercial users as well as social landlords should consider the use of the canal for the provision of grey water. Being used in the building heating and cooling process is considered above, however many companies use considerable amounts of water which does not have to be cleaned to the standard provided by Scottish Water. Rather than using drinking water for industrial processes or even in the toilets etc, the canal can be used for grey water in a sustainable way.

December 2011

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy

The Strategy

The Canal Hubs

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

December 2011

The Canal Hubs

The Edinburgh Canal Strategy

THE CANAL HUBS

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facilitating use of the Union Canal within Edinburgh.

that enables and promotes the enjoyment of the

To encourage waterway activity along the Union Canal

full length of the Union Canal into the City. It is

into Edinburgh it is proposed that a key objective of

therefore proposed that the Edinburgh Canal

the Waterspace Strategy is to ensure each hub has

Strategy is developed around a series of ‘hubs’ within

its own specific function whilst retaining the existing

which canal moorings, canal-side and canal-related

character of the built and natural environment and

development can be focused.

protecting the local community.

December 2011

These hubs link within West Lothian and their role in

• Lochrin Basin.

presented with a suitable waterway infrastructure

WINC

The Strategy should also ensure that boaters are

and waterside use.

• Harrison Park

waterway corridor, stimulating waterway

• Meggetland,

to create a desirable and sustainable

• Hailes Quarry Park

and facilities, etc; it should be possible

• Wester Hailes Town Centre,

F YO

times, destinations, available services

• The Calders CIT

along its length in the context of cruising

• Ratho,

the role and function of places or ‘hubs’

RS IS

The Strategy identifies seven hubs at:

and flexible, however, by considering

he Union Canal should be adaptable

U HB RG

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City of Edinburgh Council City Development

The Edinburgh Canal Strategy

MILES / 6½ HO URS CR UISIN

The Canal Hubs

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City of Edinburgh Council City Development

December 2011

The Edinburgh Canal Strategy

The Canal Hubs

Ratho

atho is reasonably established as an attractive waterway destination. The existing waterside pub will be supplemented by proposed canal side residential moorings generating a strong waterway focus.

It is recognised that there is an opportunity at Ratho to enhance the recreational potential of the Canal, building on the Edinburgh Canal Centre, links with the Ratho Adventure centre and its position as an overnight mooring point between Linlithgow and Edinburgh. However the strategy should protect against the overdevelopment/urbanization of the canal side and promote co-ordination between developers, British Waterways and the community to upgrade and

The Bridge Inn at Ratho © Grant Ritchie - www.photosofedinburgh.co.uk

maintain quality of the canal.

December 2011

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

The Edinburgh Canal Strategy

The Canal Hubs

In order to sustain the full waterway corridor the canal side at Ratho should not be further developed as a major overnight visitor mooring destination to avoid this distracting from Lochrin basin as the perceived destination and end to terminus to navigation in Edinburgh. Ratho should therefore be a place to pause and enjoy en route to the City.

P ROJECTS There are a number of opportunities for improving the canal at Ratho including: •

Improve the access between the canal and the village, particularly along the western edge of the village and promote the creation of a pedestrian / cycle loops along the canal

•

Improving the condition of existing moorings and commercial offer on the canal

•

A marina at Freelands Road with a mix of residential and commercial boats within new marina

•

Improved links from the canal to the Adventure Centre, helping to promote the facility as accessible by bike and foot.

•

Improving education, awareness, village information, and links with existing community uses, including the need for a public square along the canal and,

•

Siting canal mooring facilities at Wilkies Basin alongside the Motorway

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

December 2011

The Edinburgh Canal Strategy

The Canal Hubs

Wester Hailes

ester Hailes marks the entrance of the canal to the urban area of Edinburgh. However, it is recognised that

The key aim of the Strategy at Wester Hailes is to

substantial pro-active work is required over time if the original regeneration theme of the canal is to hold good

stimulate a range of canal-side, recreational, business,

for Wester Hailes. However, both The City of Edinburgh Council and British Waterways Scotland are a major landowner

and community uses in 3 distinct hubs whilst marking

and shareholder within Wester Hailes and this will enable canal focused regeneration to be addressed in a holistic

the arrival of canal users into Edinburgh.

manner.

The Calders The Calder’s Hub provides an opportunity to create a gateway site to the city centred on the canal that can act as a driver for wider engagement in Wester Hailes with the canal.

P ROJECTS

•

Explore the potential for canal side development as part of the Edinburgh Local Development Plan

•

increase water activity through the introduction of residential visitor moorings

•

Improve linkages between existing communities and the canal

December 2011

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

The Edinburgh Canal Strategy

The Canal Hubs

Hailes Quarry Park There is also an opportunity for canal side community development such as community water sports clubs, sea scouts etc also exists in Wester Hailes. With Hailes Quarry Park offering a unique opportunity. Wester Hailes also has good links to the city centre from Kingsknowe Railway Station and public transport links at Hailesland Road and Murrayburn Road.

P ROJECTS •

Possible redevelopment of the site to the rear of Hailesland Park

•

Improvement of Hailes Quarry Park and its link with the canal and tow path.

•

Creation/upgrade to the community centre with links to the waterspace to provide canal related activities.

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

The Edinburgh Canal Strategy

December 2011

The Canal Hubs

Wester Hailes

Town Centre Within the town centre, the proximity to the shopping centre and supermarket make Wester Hailes a potentially useful stopping point for boaters to stock up on provisions. This servicing function could be supplemented by additional facilities such as waterpoints, refuse stores and pump outs; and suitable sites for boat repairs/boat building.

P ROJECTS

•

Improving links to the town centre

•

Development of a residential marina

•

Promoting community pride in the canal and improving confidence in the waterway ,

•

Increasing safety on and along the canal through natural surveillance and environmental improvements

December 2011

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

The Edinburgh Canal Strategy

The Canal Hubs

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

December 2011

The Edinburgh Canal Strategy

The Canal Hubs

Meggetland

eggetland is currently home to a number of boathouses, however, they are of poor quality and lack the required facilities. The ECS proposes that a watersports centre for rowing and canoeing be developed beside the canal,

with links to the community sports hub at Meggetland. This would

P ROJECTS

•

The creation of a watersports centre beside the canal in conjunction with the creation of a community sports hub at Meggatland, this would provide shared facilities for the rowing clubs based on the canal and include better quality storage and changing facilities for rowing and canoeing

•

Improved access to the canal, including maintenance of hedging, Installation of street furniture and introduction of new steps.

•

The possible creation of a slalom for canoes.

December 2011

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

The Edinburgh Canal Strategy

The Canal Hubs

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

December 2011

The Edinburgh Canal Strategy

The Canal Hubs

Harrison Park

arrison Park is a relaxed green waterside space for people. To optimise the potential it is important to establish a waterway neighbourhood beside the park. This should include visitor and residential moorings, activities linking

the park and support for a cafĂŠ and other commercial moorings.

However, it is important to protect what currently makes Harrison Park the place it is, and any development long the canal must ensure that it respects character of the park and respect existing neighbourhood amenity. Any change to the canal side at Harrison Park should be limited to access improvements or minor alterations to cater for canal uses. It is recognised that the existing facilities block for visiting canal boats at Harrison Park is of poor quality and needs upgrading. The Strategy has identified an alternative location for this block, including the creation of a service mooring. Service blocks are provided by British Waterways Scotland as part of the

Harrison Park ÂŠ Grant Ritchie www.photosofedinburgh.co.uk

operational management of the canal.

December 2011

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

The Edinburgh Canal Strategy

The Canal Hubs

P ROJECTS •

Improving the integration of canal with the park

•

Creation of new residential and visitor moorings

•

Introduction of café’s/commercial enterprises on canal

•

Improvement in the quality of access to the tow path from bridges at Ogilvie Terrace and Harrison Road

•

Improvement to the existing slip way and parking provision for this

•

An upgraded service block for canal boat users.

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

The Edinburgh Canal Strategy

December 2011

The Canal Hubs

Lochrin Basin

he Edinburgh Canal Quarter identifies the Edinburgh end of the Union canal and stretches from Harrison Park in the west to Edinburgh Quay at Lochrin Basin. This quarter includes the range of existing and new uses and

developments coming forward at Fountainbridge, linked by new water space, and high quality public realm, in a

linear route to the City Centre. Lochrin Basin needs to generate adequate waterway traffic to animate the waterspace. High quality visitor moorings should be complimented by commercial and residential moorings to create a vibrant sustainable waterway neighbourhood throughout the year. Additionally, for the hub to be successful, the existing commercial premises at Edinburgh Quay need to be brought into use, however, over time with the development of the Fountainbridge Brewery Site providing the critical mass

that is required.

December 2011

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

The Edinburgh Canal Strategy

The Canal Hubs

P ROJECTS

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

•

The creation of a waterway destination at the terminus of the Union Canal;

•

The creation of a visual/ physical link between Lochrin Place and the canal;

•

Improving the balance of uses both on and off water, to increase and sustain appropriate activity;

•

The creation of residential moorings;

•

New links between urban area and tow path particularly at Dorset Place, New Freer Street and Walker Bridge

•

Treatment of wall to rear of tenements on Watson Crescent/ or reuse of wall through art installations.

•

Encourage a boat hire base,

•

Improve links to existing cycle networks,

•

Formalizing of canal access to Ogilvie Terrace

December 2011

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy

December 2011

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy

Delivery Plan

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

December 2011

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy

OVERARCHING PROJECTS

RATHO

Develop towpath capacity management projects

Implement the mix used water space strategy for the node

Investigate Development Proposals

Upgrade canal towpath

Implement funding strategy and identify initial sources

Work in partnership with stakeholders to produce vision document for the node

Implement waterspace and moorings strategy

Explore the canal as a water resource including improving water quality, managing land drainage and avoiding, reducing and managing flood risk

MEDIUM/ LONG TERM

MEDIUM TERM

Implement towpath access improvements

Agree canal development and canal environment Principles

BWS to formulate a strategic plan for the canal to improve the management of the existing mooring offer

December 2011

Implement the mix used water space strategy for the node

Ensure the canal continues to look its best – proactive maintenance plan and look to improve the canal edge

Implement pedestrian and cycle route

Agree strategy for The Calder’s Gateway site

Investigate strategic purchases together such areas to improve car parking Ensure provision of new marina from Cala development

BWS to formulate a strategic plan for the canal to start to have a mooring offer – especially residential to help provide vibrancy and animation and security

Identify small scale regeneration developments we can undertake to bring life into the canal

Deliver improved waterspace in line with stakeholder requirements

Work to improve the tourism offer ie: good mix of commercial, information, amenity and facilities and security and look to relocate any uses/users from the hub that do not fit with the strategy

Investigate and implement ideas with stakeholders to improve the use of the canal ie: community uses, residential moorings and floating homes, floating businesses, short term uses ie: nearby markets, etc etc SHORT TERM

Develop a canal user management strategy

Implement Signage, Information Panels and branding initiative

Investigate and implement ideas with stakeholders to improve the use of the canal ie: community uses, floating homes, further residential moorings, floating businesses etc

Work in partnership with stakeholders to produce vision document for the node MEDIUM/ LONG TERM

Agree and implement signage, public art and lighting strategy

WESTER HAILES, THE CALDERS AND HAILES QUARRY PARK

Implement Signage, Information Panels and branding initiative SHORT TERM

SHORT TERM

Form a stakeholder group in each node with owners, occupiers, and community groups to investigate initiatives to improve the node

Deliver improved waterspace in line with stakeholder requirements Form collaboration with stakeholders and deliver vision document and masterplan for whole area Work to improve the tourism offer ie: good mix of commercial, information, amenity and facilities and security and look to relocate any uses/users from the hub that do not fit with the strategy

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy

MEGGETLAND

HARRISON PARK

Form a stakeholder group with sports clubs and Edinburgh leisure to investigate sports hub initiative

BWS to formulate a strategic management plan for the canal to improve the facilities for the sports club ie: weed cutting, timetable for better use of the canal at peak times etc

Agree with residents the accessing and mooring strategy for the offside

Work to improve the tourism offer ie: good mix of commercial, information, amenity and facilities and security and look to relocate any uses/users from the hub that do not fit with the strategy

Deliver improved moorings in line with stakeholder requirements Work to improve the tourism offer ie: good mix of commercial, information, amenity and facilities and security and look to relocate any uses/users from the hub that do not fit with the strategy

City of Edinburgh Council City Development

MEDIUM/ LONG TERM

Deliver improvements as agreed with sports clubs

MEDIUM/ LONG TERM

Agree funding for sports hub and implement

Work in partnership with stakeholders to produce vision document for the node

Investigate and implement access requirements with stakeholders to improve accessibility onto the canal from main thoroughfares including potential new bridges across the canal

Implement and promote the mix used water space strategy for the basin Agree with residents the improvement of the wall fronting the canal at Watson Crescent

Improve the look of the buildings at the hub – facilities, canoe hire pavilion etc

Improve the look of the buildings at the hub – rowing pavilions, interaction with landscaping etc Work in partnership with local stakeholders to produce vision document for the node

BWS to formulate a strategic management plan for the canal to improve mooring offer, facilities and number of boats on the canal including commercial uses especially café, arts and crafts, markets etc

SHORT TERM

Investigate and implement access requirements with stakeholders particularly the sports clubs to improve accessibility onto the canal and into the canal

Signage, Information Panels and branding initiative for the basin

Investigate and implement access requirements with stakeholders to improve accessibility onto the canal especially from the park onto the towpath

Agree potential routes for funding of the sports hub Signage, Information Panels and branding initiative

LOCHRIN BASIN

Signage, Information Panels and branding initiative

Work in partnership with Fountainbridge development sites to ensure all canal redevelopment aspirations are met

Agree and implement a development strategy for canal side development sites

December 2011

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy DECEMBER 2011

You can get this document on tape, in Braille, large print and various computer formats if you ask us. Please contact Interpretation and Translation Service (ITS) on 0131 242 8181 and quote reference number 11-1151. ITS can also give information on community language translations. You can get more copies of this document by calling 0131 529 6232.

Fountainbridge water Space Discussion Paper

Project Documentation

The creation of quality new water space on the Fountainbridge site.

Discussion paper for Sounding Board meeting 30/4/2013

1. Introduction There is strong community support for the potential role that the provision of new water space could play in creating a new quality canalside community at Fountainbridge as envisaged by the 2011 Edinburgh Canal Strategy. The opportunity to create new waterspace as a core part of a vibrant new waterside quarter in Edinburgh is seen by many as a “once in a lifetime” opportunity not to be missed. The provision of new waterspace is seen as key contributor to the overall vision: 

It will enhance the current very limited waterspace available at the Edinburgh end of the Millennium Link, enabling the canal network, and Edinburgh’s role within it to grow and develop as a major recreational and tourist asset for Edinburgh and central Scotland.



New waterspace will create a unique context and driver for a quality regeneration project with both profile and a ‘wow factor’ which will enhance Edinburgh’s civic reputation and attractiveness.



It will provide an invaluable local community asset and benefit from the development for both active and passive use, enhance the setting of the canal, and give the vision of an Edinburgh Canal Quarter some real credibility.

2. Background It is to their credit that the Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Planning section fully recognised this unique potential when drawing up various briefs and masterplans for the redevelopment of the old brewery site. Also in the relevant policy documents from both the Council and BWS ( now Scottish Canals ) it was recognised that in order to maximise the public investment of the Millennium Link, there was a requirement for a future increased quality and capacity of waterspace at the Edinburgh â&#x20AC;&#x153;terminusâ&#x20AC;? of the Link. For example, there was a tacit assumption that new water space, along with range of other infra-structural and environmental requirements would form part of the reasonable planning gain. These community benefits would be achieved through substantial redevelopment and profitable new uses, which would result in a substantial uplift in the value of the site and the ensuing development. The anticipated provision of new waterspace was also seen as one part of a development package which also included substantial change of use and the anticipation of high urban densities. The Springside and Napier Students flats development and indicative plans for the new school demonstrate that in practice the high density element is now going ahead. If local planning is to mean anything in reality, it is clearly important that elements of development guidelines which provide community and environment enhancement and benefit are implemented and not pared back or forgotten. We believe that the Council as developer must be seen to adhere to the Councils own planning policy otherwise a dangerous precedent is set for other developers to exploit. Since the Royal Bank proposal, it appears that two arguments are gaining ground: -

Firstly, given the financial climate, financing and the demand for development is more constrained, impacting on values and profitability. ( Or at least developers may be making this case, to question the affordability of proposed planning gains and community benefits )

Secondly, the indicative site for the new water space in the form of a new basin has a number of technical challenges with cost implications, principally the steep change in levels from the canal to the basin site. This would result in a suspended basin or major lock, with requirement for significant support structure (also creating areas of undercroft which could be used for car parking.)

Given the above, we appreciate the Council now finds itself in a challenging position, as it is now in the position of both Planning Authority and Developer, both with different demands and priorities. The Council also needs to ensure an adequate and timely return on its capital outlay to fund other needed projects. Here it is again to the credit of the Council that it had the foresight in the past to recognise the potential of a sustainable Fountainbridge canalside development and in positive discussions with FCI has reconfirmed its commitment to creating a quality place and sustainable community. However when the subject of new waterspace is raised there appears to be a deafening silence.

3. Current position of FCI (Fountainbridge Canalside Initiative) FCI is determined to work with the Council and other interested parties to help to create a sustainable new waterside community that maximises the potential and works for everyone. We are in total support of the original Planning views on the development of the site - that new waterspace is a key element. It is in this context that this paper is being put forward to the Sounding Board group. As Oscar Wilde suggested, one can know “the price of everything, but the value of nothing”. It is of course difficult to “value” the contribution of new water space in purely financial/ economic terms, but it is well recognised to be invaluable in place-making terms, helping to turn run of the mill development into something attractive and exceptional. There is new or restored waterspace in a wide variety of cities in both the UK and Europe with plenty of excellent examples of the role it can play in world class regeneration. Quality and well placed new waterspace is an investment for the future and not an abnormal cost or liability. Other cities would give their eye-teeth to create a new canal quarter so close to the city centre, and would understand the need for upfront investment in quality place-making. We believe that it is particularly important when times are hard that the one thing not too be lost is the vision. Realistically there is not yet a critical mass of waterspace at Fountainbridge to sustain and develop a future Edinburgh Canal Quarter. The Options FCI fully appreciate the challenge that new waterspace presents to any developer of the site, but we agree with the Council as the Planning Authority in proposing its provision and that it is a” once in a life time opportunity “not to be missed. We feel that it is pro-active local planning in the best interests of the area, and part of the reasonable planning gain and infra-structure to be expected given change of use of the whole site from industrial to a wide variety of mixed uses so close the city centre. Planning documents, including the outline application suggested three options around the potential creation of at least 1000sqm of new waterspace, which we have updated in the light of our public discussions. 1

A new basin linked to the canal with a lift bridge for the towpath. This would provide a new landmark feature around which a mix of uses could designed providing both a new tourist/visitor attraction and a high quality residential environment as well space for static/operational boats. Good innovative design would maximise waterside values and could utilise undercroft carparking.

An enlarged existing basin between Viewforth and Leamington. The lost towpath/quayside could be replaced adjoining the enlarged basin to the north, on the perimeter of the development site fronting both the canal and proposed development blocks. The towpath and its pedestrian/cycle routes would be only slightly diverted around the larger basin area. There are a number of considerations in relation to this option such as lower cost, technically more manageable, increase moorings and

recreational use, connecting the two listed bridge structures (Viewforth and Leamington) 3

Waterscape or water features that run into the site and enhance the environment and access to water would be a positive addition. However, unconnected and unspecified features would not be supported and seen as token gestures.

4. Conclusion This paper has been developed by FCI to initiate a transparent discussion on new waterspace through the Sounding Board Forum. We would like to see:



At least 1000sqm of new operational waterspace connected or capable of being connected to the canal



A Council/EDI commitment in principle to explore these options



Council/EDI in partnership with FCI and Scottish Canals instigate transparent option appraisals and feasibility studies for option delivery as part of overall Masterplanning process.



All stakeholders seek adopt a “can do” approach with regard to the delivery of new waterspace and investigate possible funding sources and financing to achieve it.



More pro-active engagement with Scottish Canals about their support/involvement.

April 2013

Lights Over Union Canal

The Perception of Central London by Night

Project Documentation

The Perception of Central London by Night D. Del-Negro UCL Bartlett School of Graduate Studies, London, United Kingdom, diana.del-negro.09@ucl.ac.uk

Introduction Several studies (Downs, 1977; Golledge, 1999; Lynch, 1960; NATO, 1987) suggest that the legibility of a city and the ability of successfully finding the way rely in memorizing and recognizing certain visual patterns, or urban elements. In his work, Lynch (1960) isolated five distinct elements which act as reference points to read and have a sense of orientation in an urban environment. Landmarks are considered (Downs 1973, 1977; Golledge R. G., 1999; Lynch, 1960) to be a fundamental component of the mental representation of a known environment, or cognitive maps. Spatial knowledge and efficient navigation rely on detecting and recognizing landmarks, because these act as references that enable to travel from one point to another. A traveller can therefore follow a sequence of landmarks and be able to make choices at decision points. Landmarks can also help to organize large scale spaces, and may provide references with which to calibrate distances and directions (Sadeghian & Kantardzic 2008). A landmark is characterized for being prominent and attracting attention. Characteristics that contribute to the visual saliency or singularity of an object include having a sharp contrast with the surroundings and having memorable or unique features (Lynch, 1960; Sadeghian & Kantardzic, 2008). Visual contrast may be achieved through a difference in shape, colour or luminance. But, according to Sorrows & Hirtle (1999), a landmark may also be acknowledged due to its underlying meaning, or structural salience. However, elements visually salient under natural light may not be seen as landmarks at night, where lighting conditions are necessarily different. Artificial light, or its absence, may reduce an object’s visual

saliency in different ways. It may break its luminance or colour contrast with the background, for example if it is dimly lit or lit by a poor colour rendering source, or with a colour similar to the surrounding environment. Additionally, the shape of an element may also be transformed through lighting, thus modifying its conspicuity, for example if the element is only partially lit. Research on urban legibility, has been mostly developed considering only day lighting conditions. However, as described, objects and environments can be quite different during the day and night-time. In fact, elements acknowledged as landmarks during the day may not be recognized as such during the night, and new landmarks may emerge, as studies by Yuktadatta (2002) and Winters, Raubal, & al. (2004) have shown. Thus, it can be deduced that artificial lighting transforms the appearance and perception of the cities, and may influence its legibility and way finding. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate how the perception of the most recognizable elements of a city can be modified during the night. It will be hypothesized that the most recognizable landmarks of a city may lose visibility at night, and perceptual hierarchies may become distorted. The exercise follows a methodology similar to that developed by Kevin Lynch (1960), applied to London’s city centre, with an added night-time dimension and a luminance pattern assessment. It is expected that the results may contribute to complete Lynch’s findings and to better understand the role of lighting in urban perception and legibility. This study is part of a larger research project, involving the analysis of other cities and other stages of Lynch’s methodology (1960). It is being replicated in Lisbon, a city 1

Fig. 1: The fifty most distinctive elements of London in decreasing order

with a different culture, light, morphology, urban shape and architecture. In the long term, the comparison between both cities’ results should provide interesting clues, about the effect of artificial and natural light in the perception of similar urban elements, located in different contexts. Methodology The experiment comprised three stages, partially following Lynch’s methodology. In the first stage, thirty volunteers were questioned individually, in a closed room. Subjects were all residents in London, aged between 20 and 65 years old. An equal number of males and females were interviewed. Among other questions, people were asked to draw a map of what they considered to be London’s centre and its main elements. They were also asked to name and describe what they thought were the most distinctive and recognizable elements of the city centre. Afterwards, they tried to explain which characteristics made these elements distinctive. The results of the interviews provided one hundred and sixty eight distinctive elements, which could be classified under Lynch’s nomenclature as landmarks, nodes, paths, edges and districts. This number resulted from the account of elements drawn and described as distinctive. The sum of the total of times these were mentioned and drawn allowed them to be ranked in a certain order. The highly ranked element was the river Thames, which was mentioned and drawn 33 times. There were dozens of elements which were only mentioned or drawn once, making them the lower ranked elements. Only the first fifty highly ranked

elements were considered for the next stages of the study. In stage two, each element was photographed in agreement to what the subjects described as being its most recognizable features. Consequently, for example, Hyde Park was pictured from an angle which included the lake and the horse track. Two pictures were taken for each element: One during the day and another during the night. Both were taken exactly from the same position. Additionally, luminance pattern was measured in order to later have an objective assessment of the luminous environment. The third and final phase of the experiment involved presenting subjects with the photographs in an interview, following again Lynch’s methodology. This group was composed by volunteers who declared having a good knowledge of central London, half of which had participated in the first part of the experiment. The main differences to the methodology described in “The image of the city” is that the city is additionally portrayed at night, and that the photographs only represent fifty carefully selected places, instead of systematically covering the entire city. The interview consisted in presenting London’s day-time photographs to fifteen subjects, and the night-time pictures to a different group of fifteen people. Two photographs from Lisbon were inserted in each collection as a control. The interviews were performed in a closed room, individually, and consisted of three tasks. First, the individual was asked to classify the pictures in whatever groups seemed natural. Secondly he was asked to identify as many images he could and to describe which clues he used to do so. Next, he was asked to 2

Fig. 2: Graphic representing the day and night-time percentage of unidentified and misidentified elements.

display the photographs in a large table as if he was placing them in the proper position in a large map of the city. Finally, he was presented with either the day or night-time photograph version of those elements he was not able to recognize. Results The analysis of the data provided by the experiment consisted in appraising the level of recognition of each element for day and night-time responses. It also comprised comparing the features described as being the most significant clues that enabled the recognition of each element. Finally it entailed examining the order in which these clues were described. The recognisability of each element was assessed by evaluating which was the main element recognized in the photograph, the number of times the element was correctly identified and the level of certainty of this identification, that is, if subjects were sure or unsure of their answers. The results showed that the highly ranked elements were also the most recognizable elements during the day, but not necessarily during the night. Oxford Circus, was however an exception. Ranked as the sixth most distinctive element of London, its daytime image was expected to be recognized by all participants. However, in day interviews 27% participants did not recognize it, against 7% in its night version. This result seems to be related to the perception of the existing buildings’ curved shape, which was found to be one of Oxford Circus’ most recognizable features. The curved shape is more evident at night than day due to the high luminance

contrast between the top edge of the buildings and its background, almost nonexistent under day light. As expected, night environments with low luminance contrast became almost unrecognizable in the night. Hyde Park, which was considered the third most distinctive element of London, was recognized by all subjects, but became totally unrecognizable at night. A quarter of the inquired stated that the element in the picture was the river, after perceiving reflected lights on a body of water (the serpentine lake). The Gherkin, mostly recognized due to its shape, was always correctly identified under day lighting, but became imperceptible to almost all participants faced with its night image. Those working in the City were the only ones able to identify it, even if unconfidently, by noticing the red aircraft warning lights that line the building. Additionally, the main day-time recognition clues for the City of London were both the Gherkin and Saint Paul’s Cathedral, but at night, subjects failed to acknowledge any other elements apart from the Cathedral. There were elements which were consistently confused with others at night. It was the case of the Natural History and the British Museums, respectively confused with the National Gallery and the Houses of Parliament or Westminster Abbey. The British Museum and the National Gallery main recognizable features are similar, having both an exterior portico. The main differentiator factor stated by subjects after being faced with the day version of the photograph was the fact that the British Museum has a recessed façade, which 3

appeared flat under artificial lighting. Additionally, the space in front of the building became too dark to identify. Sixty per cent of the participants confused the night-time photograph of the Natural History Museum with the Houses of Parliament or Westminster Abbey. The main reasons for this result seem to be related to the similar architecture style between the two buildings, and to the colour appearance of the Museum’s façade. The façade was described as white and blue during the day, but yellow at night. Being lit by RGB LEDs, tuned to white, it is possible that the colour rendering may be affecting perception. Another interesting difference between day and night interviews was the order in which the recognition clues were described, suggesting that perceptual hierarchies may be transformed under artificial lighting. For example, when observing the day-time photograph of Tate Modern, which included the Millennium Bridge, subjects recognized first the art museum, due to its distinctive chimney, and secondly the bridge. However, in the nigh-time photograph, the unlit chimney became invisible. As a consequence, the primary element the participants recognized was the brightly lit Millennium Bridge, and then assumed that the almost unlit building in front had to be Tate Modern. The Waterloo Bridge, which was recognized by less than half the participants during the day, was recognized by more than seventy per cent subjects at night, mainly due to the unusual pink colour and brightness of the National Theatre façade, located next to it. The National Theatre was the primary element recognized at night, after which the bridge would be identified, inverting the daytime hierarchy. Expectation also played an interesting role. Places expected to be filled with people, such as Covent Garden or Soho were less recognized when presented empty, such as in Soho’s day-time image. Some subjects who confused the Natural History Museum with the Houses of Parliament pointed Big Ben and a statue, which did not exist, because they expected to see it near the Parliament.

Others found difficult to recognize the Tower of London because they expected to see Tower Bridge next to it. The importance of distant lit landmarks seems to gain importance at night, to provide geographic orientation. Although most of the parks are in almost complete darkness at night, the existence of distant brightly lit landmarks, such as the BT Tower and Centre Point in Regent’s Park, and Victoria Memorial in St James’s Park, enabled these parks recognition.

Fig. 3: Images of Saint Pancras Station. From the left to right: day-time image, night-time image and luminance pattern image generated by imagelum software from measurements collected in the field.

Conclusions The study confirmed that luminance and colour contrast affect the way highly recognizable objects are perceived at night. It suggests that it may enhance, create new landmarks or “erase” them. Also, the transformations introduced by lighting in an object’s shape and colour appearance may help or compromise its correct identification, and expectations may facilitate or hamper recognition. Distant lit landmarks, which may not be recognized as such during the day, gain particular importance at night, for recognizing and geographically positioning low luminance environments. In conclusion, the experiment showed that the image and perceptual hierarchies of some of London’s main landmarks becomes transformed at night and not always in a positive way. As a consequence subjects were less able to place them in their correct geographic position, suggesting cognitive mapping may also be affected at night. However, further investigation is needed to better evaluate the consequences on legibility and orientation in the city. References Downs, R., & Stea, D. (1977). Maps in minds: reflections on cognitive mapping. New York; London: Harper & Row.

Golledge, R. G. (Ed.). (1999). Wayfinding Behavior: Cognitive mapping and other spatial processes. Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press. Golledge, R., & Garling, T. (2004). Cognitive maps and urban travel. In K. H. K. Button (Ed.), Handbook of transport Geography and Spatial Systems (Vol. 5, pp. 501-512). Amsterdam: Elsevier. Lynch, K. (1960). The image of the city. Cambridge, Massachusetts: The MIT press. NATO Advanced Study Institute. (1987). Cognitive processes and spatial orientation in animal and man (Vol. I. Experimental animal psychology and ethology). (P. Ellen, & C. Thinus-Blanc, Eds.) La Baume-LĂ¨s-Aix, France: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers. Sadeghian, P., & Kantardzic, M. (2008). The New Generation of Automatic Landmark Detection

Systems: Challenges and Guidelines. Spatial Cognition & Computation, 8(3), 252-287. Sorrows, M., & Hirtle, S. (1999). The Nature of Landmarks for Real and Electronic Spaces. In C. Freksa, & D. Mark (Eds.), Spatial information theory, lecture notes in computer science (pp. 3750). Berlin: Springer. Winters, S., Raubal, M., & Nothegger, C. (2004). Focalizing measures of salience for route directions. In L. Meng, A. Zipf, & T. Reichenbacher (Eds.), Map-based mobile servicesTheories, methods and design implementations (pp.127-142). Berlin: Springer. Yuktadatta, T. (2002). Urban Imageability: A lighting study of London's hstoric tourist area. MSc Built Environment: Light and Lighting Dissertation. London: The Bartlett School of architecture, University College London.

Natural Neighbourhoods

Project Documentation

Communities and Neighbourhoods Committee 10.00am, Tuesday, 23 September 2014

Natural Neighbourhoods: what’s my patch?

Item number Report number Executive/routine Wards:

7.1

All

Executive summary This report updates Elected Members on a project to engage with citizens in order to produce a new set of natural neighbourhood boundaries which will: 

create an online resource allowing local residents to communicate with each other, find local events and follow news related to their “patch“;



inform service planning processes by ensuring service area boundaries are more sensitive to citizen requirements;



encourage partnership working across the city by creating a common geographic vocabulary across all agencies; and



encourage greater community participation in local initiatives by ensuring that marketing campaigns and consultations are more meaningful to local residents.

Links Coalition pledges:

P33

Council outcomes:

CO23

Single Outcome Agreement:

All

Report Natural Neighbourhoods: what’s my patch? Recommendations 1.1

It is recommended that the Communities and Neighbourhoods Committee: 1.1.1 Approves the natural neighbourhood boundaries in Appendix 1. 1.1.2 Agrees to help to disseminate the boundaries amongst Edinburgh Partnership partners.

Background 2.1

This report updates Members on a project to engage with citizens in order to produce a new set of defined natural neighbourhoods which may inform a range of work undertaken by the Council and its partners including: 

the Scottish Government’s review of Data Zone boundaries; and



the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland’s Fifth Statutory Review of Electoral Arrangements.

Main report 3.1

Natural neighbourhoods are areas that have an identity meaningful to residents and are often clearly delineated from surrounding areas by geographic features such main roads, railways or open space.

3.2

The Council submitted a set of natural neighbourhoods to the Local Government Boundary Commission as part of the review of ward boundaries in 2004.

3.3

We have engaged with Edinburgh’s citizens to produce a new set of natural communities that best reflects their collective view of the many natural neighbourhoods that comprise the city and the reflects the changes that have taken place over the last ten years.

3.4

By synthesising direct and indirect responses from the public with the views of partners and elected members, a single set of defined neighbourhoods has been created which best reflect the views of all concerned. This work may inform two important ongoing consultations: 

the Scottish Government’s review of Data Zone boundaries; and

Communities and Neighbourhoods Committee – 23 September 2014

Page 2



3.5

the Local Government Boundary Commission’s Fifth Review of Electoral Arrangements. The outputs from the natural neighbourhoods project may be submitted by the Council when the Commission develops its proposals on the ward boundaries in September.

In the longer term, a better understanding of natural communities can inform a range of work undertaken by the Council and its partners, including: 

service planning – by targeting resources at areas where commonality of need and expectation is high; and



communication – by structuring data collection and communication around areas created by Edinburgh’s citizens, rather than reporting information about areas which are too large to be meaningful to most residents (e.g. wards or, neighbourhood partnerships) or too small to have a shared identity (e.g. Data Zones). Appendix 1 lists the expected benefits from the new dataset.

An online staff consultation was carried out during August 2013 as a proof of concept. Staff were asked to submit their postcode and the name they give to their local area. Members were informed of the results of this survey in October 2013. 3.6

Following the success of the staff survey, we conducted an online consultation, which was augmented by offline surveys and received a further 2,600 responses. Members were updated on this consultation in May

3.7

We used the survey results to consult with Elected Members and Partnership Information Managers to produce a set of provisional 2014 boundaries in March. We then consulted with the public and other stakeholders on the provisional boundaries using a range of platforms. Distinctive branding was developed by the Council’s in-house design team. (A summary of communications channels and an image contained in appendix 2).

3.8

The Edinburgh Partnership Board considered a report on natural neighbourhoods on 19 June 2014. The Board agreed to help raise the profile of the current consultation with its stakeholder groups; and help to disseminate the final dataset throughout the constituent organisations.

3.9

The engagement on the provisional boundaries ran for a six-week period until 22 July. We received in the region of 3,800 responses following sources: Contact Centre

1,663

Meadows Festival

101

Online survey

1,520

Online quiz South Neighbourhood Libraries

243

Grand Total

3,787

260

Communities and Neighbourhoods Committee – 23 September 2014

Page 3

3.10

Business Intelligence within Corporate Governance worked with the Libraries and Information Service to link the natural neighbourhoods project to the Our Town Stories and Capital Collections online resources. A prize draw of bespoke framed maps was offered with the dual aim of incentivising participation in the online survey and promoting interest in the two websites. Over 800 of the respondents to the online survey opted to enter the prize draw. The five winners will be notified at the time of the launch of the final boundary dataset.

3.11

Respondents were asked to submit their postcode and the name of their natural neighbourhood. Business Intelligence mapped this information together with the responses from the original consultation. In addition, over 500 respondents to the online survey commented on the provisional boundaries. Business Intelligence has shared this information with Partnership Information Managers to further refine the provisional boundaries.

3.12

The next steps: 



Pending approval by Committee, Business Intelligence will publish and disseminate the final boundaries with the aim of encouraging their use as a service planning and consultation resource throughout the Edinburgh Partnership. The anonymised consultation responses and the boundaries will be made available on the Council website and on its open data portal as geographical information system files. Business Intelligence will encourage the take-up of the final boundaries by disseminating the data to individuals and agencies who have contributed to the project including Edinburgh and Cardiff Universities. The provisional natural neighbourhood boundaries have been used to inform a range of initiatives including the BOLD SW Neighbourhood Pilot, the Scottish Government’s Consultation on datazones and work on the new Health and Social Care Sector boundaries. The use of a common boundary dataset by all agencies will help unravel the myriad of service boundaries currently used within the city. Many of the current service boundaries tend not to be customer centred but are based on historical service provision or defunct electoral geographies. The boundaries will provide meaningful spatial units with which to communicate with citizens; people are more likely to identify with and take part in local initiatives if they feel that it’ll be their “patch” which will see the benefit.

Measures of success 4.1

The new set of natural neighbourhood boundaries will be adopted by all agencies within the Edinburgh Partnership as the standard neighbourhood geography for the city.

4.2

The boundaries will be adopted as an online resource allowing local residents to communicate with each other, find local events and follow news related to their “patch“.

Communities and Neighbourhoods Committee – 23 September 2014

Page 4

4.3

Services from all agencies will use the boundaries to plan services that are more responsive to users’ needs and will be confident that other agencies will be doing the same.

4.4

Agencies will use place-names are which more relevant to local people when communicating with them.

Financial impact 5.1

A total of £258.65 was spent promotional materials; revenue costs result from staff time and are contained in the 2013/14 and 2014/15 budgets.

Risk, policy, compliance and governance impact 6.1

The reputational risks associated with the project have been considered by the project team. A set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) has been compiled for use during the public consultation.

Equalities impact 7.1

The dataset will assist the Council in discharging two general duties under the Equalities Act 2010:  

Fostering good relations Advancing equality of opportunity.

Sustainability impact 8.1

There are no adverse environmental implications arising from this report. It is intended that the defined communities will lead to greater social sustainability by encouraging increased levels of engagement in the planning and delivery of Council services.

Consultation and engagement 9.1

The project team was actively involved in identifying and consulting with a range of internal and external stakeholders. In total 6,878 responses were received from the two consultations.

Background reading / external references Natural Neighbourhoods -what's my patch – report to City of Edinburgh Council, Communities and Neighbourhoods Policy Development and Review Sub Committee, 6 May 2014

Communities and Neighbourhoods Committee – 23 September 2014

Page 5

Natural Neighbourhoods -what's my patch– report to Edinburgh Partnership Board, 19 June 2014, item 4.2.

Alastair D Maclean Director of Corporate Governance Contact: Iain Bell, Senior Business Intelligence Officer, Business Intelligence Service E-mail: iain.bell@edinburgh.gov.uk | Tel: 0131 469 3852 Nick Croft, Corporate Policy and Strategy Manager, Organisational Development Email: nick.croft@edinburgh.gov.uk | Tel: 0131 469 3726

Links Coalition pledges

P33 - Strengthen Neighbourhood Partnerships and further involve local people in decision on how Council resources are used

Council outcomes

CO23 -Well engaged and well informed – Communities and individuals are empowered and supported to improve local outcomes and foster a sense of community.

Single Outcome Agreement

Appendices:

SO1 - Edinburgh’s Economy delivers increased investment, jobs and opportunities for all. SO2 - Edinburgh citizens experience improved health and wellbeing, with reduced inequalities in health SO3 - Edinburgh’s children and young people enjoy their childhood and fulfil their potential SO4 Edinburgh’s communities are safer and have improved physical and social fabric. Appendix 1: A map showing the proposed new Natural Neighbourhoods boundary dataset Appendix 2: Summary of Communication Channels and the Natural Neighbourhoods brand design

Communities and Neighbourhoods Committee – 23 September 2014

Page 6

Kirkliston

South Queensferry/Dalmeny

Ratho Station/Ingliston/Gogar

Turnhouse

Silverknowes

Davidson's Mains

Cramond

Barnton

Clermiston/Drumbrae

Drylaw

Granton/Waterfont Wardie Bay

Orchard Brae

Trinity

Calton Hill

Western Harbour

Newhaven

New Town

4 Miles

Leith

Abbeyhill

Bonnington Ferryfield/Inverleith Seafield Goldenacre Warriston Crewe Toll Leith Links Inverleith Pilrig Fettes Telford Broughton Rd/Powderhall Leith/Easter Rd Canonmills Bellevue/Broughton Restalrig Craigleith Lochend Stockbridge Craigentinny Hillside/Easter Rd Comely Bank Marionville Gayfield/Broughton St Meadowbank Piershill/Piersfield

Pilton/Royston Boswall/Wardie

Granton/West Pilton

0.5

Muirhouse

Blackhall

Chesser Redhall/Inglis Green

Craiglockhart Greenbank

Morningside

Buckstone

Fairmilehead/Swanston

Comiston Oxgangs/Colinton Mains/Firrhill

Braids

Prestonfield

Peffermill

Cameron Toll

Ă&#x153;

The Jewel/Cleekims Craigmillar/Niddrie Newcraighall

Niddrie House Greendykes

Gilmerton

Fernieside/Ferniehill

Moredun

The Inch Little France/The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

Liberton

Gracemount

The Murrays

Southhouse

Burdiehouse

Mortonhall

Alnwickhill

Blackford

Churchill and Greenhill Shandon Stenhouse/Saughton Merchiston and Myreside Grange Hutchison/Slateford

Dumbryden

Parkhead Longstone

Broomhouse

Sighthill

Kingsknowe Clovenstone

Juniper Green

Baberton

Wester Hailes

Calders

Bankhead North Sighthill

Riccarton and Hermiston

Currie

Colinton/Bonaly

Newington

Dean Village/West End East Craigs Mountcastle Canongate Corstorphine/Clerwood Portobello Northfield Ravelston/Murrayfield Corstorphine/Craigmount West End Willowbrae Old Town Dumbiedykes Wester Coates Joppa Holyrood Park Haymarket The Christians/Portobello Maybury Corstorphine/North Gyle Tollcross Duddingston/The Durhams Roseburn Lauriston/Quartermile Southside St Leonards Dalry Corstorphine Magdalene Fountainbridge Balgreen/Saughtonhall The Gyle Duddingston Village and Golf Course Brunstane/Gilberstoun Viewforth Sciennes Gorgie Bingham Bruntsfield Marchmont Fountainbridge/Polwarth Polwarth Carrick Knowe

South Gyle/Edinburgh Park Forrester Park

Cammo/Strathalmond

Appendix 1 Proposed Natural Neighbourhoods (Final Draft)

Newbridge

Ratho

Balerno

This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office ÂŠ Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence Number 100023420. City of Edinburgh Council 2014. Produced by City of Edinburgh Council, Corporate Governance, Business Intelligence Service.

Appendix 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Natural Neighbourhoods Consultation June/July 2014: Summary of Communication Channels and Natural Neighbourhood Brand Image Id

Stakeholder 1 CEC Customers 2

3 4

11 12

13 14

15 16

17 18

19 20

21 22

Council Contact Centre/Business Intelligence

Platform Direct contact via telephone, captured using online form

CEC Staff

Business Intelligence/Communications

CEC Staff

Communications

ORB carousel Plasma Screens in Waverley Court

Governance Service/Communications

Email signature

NP Community Planning Team

E- flier

NP Community Planning Team

E- flier

Communications/Business Intelligence

E-flier

Business Intelligence

Report and posters, briefing

Business Intelligence

Online Quiz

Public

Business Intelligence

Public

Business Intelligence

Online Survey CEC Website - NN page

Public

City Centre & Leith Neighbourhood Team

Twitter

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Project Proposal

Project Documentation

MA/MDes Design [Lighting] Design Research Methods Trimester 01 | Major Project Topic Proposal Cashel Francis Liam Brown 40178820 17 December 2014

Cashel Francis Liam Brown

N: 40178820

E: 40178820@live.napier.ac.uk

MA/MDes Design [Lighting]

Design Research Methods | Trimester 01 Major Project Topic Proposal Page

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background 05 1.2 Introduction 06

2.0 Context

2.1

Research Methods and Personal Context

2.2 Wider Context 12

3.0 Literary Review

3.1

Urban Lighting Strategies

15 16

3.2 Review 18

4.0 Discussion

5.0 Conclusion

6.0 Bibiliography

Design Research Methods | Major Project Proposal

1.0 Introduction 1.1 Background This paper aims to set out the thought process and background to a selection of topic for the Major project element of the MA/MDes Design Programme.. Although late to the game, in brief, a subject area of Lighting Design and itsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; role in the creation of space, destination and placemaking has been identified as one of particular interest, arising from the latter tasks of the Research Methods Module. Indeed, throughout the process involved within the module, I have, at times, felt lost, emphasising the importance â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;a sense of placeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is, be it in physicality or metaphor.

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1.2 Introduction “Good lighting helps to increase vitality and improve ambience. It contributes to a sense of identity and place, makes for a safer, friendlier environment and also supports and complements other regeneration initiatives.” Glasgow City Council In its simplest terms, light allows us the ability to see; to make sense of the world in which we live and that which surrounds us. Light, or indeed its absence, has the ability to reveal and conceal aspects of our surroundings. It is with this property that reveals light as a creative medium, and a particularly poignant raw material for utilisation, both in architectural and urban designs. Indeed, Peter Zumthor states that one of the primary thoughts when considering lighting is ‘to plan… as a pure mass of shadow, then, afterwards, to put in the light as if you were hollowing out the darkness, as if the light were a new mass seeping in.’ (Zumthor, 2006) Here, light becomes the agency by which a building, urban environment and the spaces within are formed and arranged. It also adds qualities to architecture other than mere physicality, it is a tool that can influence emotions within the inhabitant, having effect upon mood, feeling and the experience an individual has within. It is this emotional effect on people that intrigues me about lighting as a creative design medium, specifically within an architectural and urban context. With this in mind, the application of lighting to public urban space, and the role it takes within the creative act of ‘placemaking’ can be considered. In its broadest sense, ‘placemaking’ can be defined as both “an overarching idea and a hands-on tool for improving a neighborhood, city or region,” (Project for Public Spaces) reimagining the model of regeneration by putting aspects of creative control in the hands of the community, to reinforce the connection between people and the places they inhabit, raising questions such as ‘What makes a place?’ or ‘What does it mean to be from a place?’ The answers to these questions are as diverse as the people that may answer them, and can be attributable to social, economic, aesthetic, cultural, political and spiritual issues, or indeed any combination of the above. By its’ nature, placemaking is rooted in the production of space, rather than in a design; of a building, park, public square etc. and exists to assist in the production and understanding of ‘successful public space’, the ins and outs of which are notoriously difficult to determine and define, due to a vast diversity in communities and cultures: what works as a ‘success’ in the public realm here in Edinburgh for example, may well not work elsewhere, due to a myriad of factors. There is no complete or universal solution to the creation of truly public space, much like there is no absolute answer to the question ‘what makes a place?’

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The role lighting plays within the context of ‘placemaking’ and public urban space is one of great importance, serving a variety of purposes such as demarcating destination, branding, creation of ambience, highlighting and enhancing the built environment (or aspects thereof) or indeed, contributing to aspects of safety and security, or indeed the perception of large cities such as Glasgow, Edinburgh Lyon and Melbourne have all developed Lighting Strategies to implement the various aspects that contribute to ideas of ‘placemaking’ through lighting. These examples all consider lighting in terms of ‘placemaking’ at a large, city wide scale with aim of “develop[ing] a well designed, coordinated and coherent approach to lighting so that lighting design becomes an intrinsic part of the street and place,” (Edinburgh City Council, 2012). All of the above, except, Edinburgh, consider lighting and ‘placemaking’ at a smaller scale. Glasgow City Council’s publication “Glasgow City of Light” identifies a selection of individual examples of light applications to contribute to the overall idea of ‘placemaking.’ These make up less than half the projects now implemented by GCC’s Lighting Strategy, and vary greatly in project size, from “the lighting of buildings close to the heart of a local community to lighting buildings of international importance.” (Glasgow City Council, 2006) It is in the former, those “close to the heart of” (GCC, 2006) a locality, a community, in which I find great interest. It is in these spaces, ‘micro’ and lived spaces, often considered to be [semi] private that I believe new ways of approaching ‘placemaking’ can be found.

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2.0 Context In order to contextualize my own thought process when considering the idea of light as a ‘tool’ in the creation of place and space ,and the output of this proposal, I must first give a brief outline of the process of thought maintained throughout the module, and the many research methods utilised therein. Although the focus of many of the tasks may not relate to this proposal, I will certainly use the many, if not all, of the methods. The wider context in which this proposal sits will then be considered. 2.1 Research Methods and Personal Context 2.1.1 Visual Research As a basic way ‘in’ to any stint of research, I believe this method to be of relevance to any project. Although the task at hand, documenting Glasgow’s Commonwealth Legacy, had loose ties to the specialism of lighting, the process as a whole was a useful way of contextualizing and documenting an event or situation within a wider sphere. An initial approach when considering the siting of this proposal will utilise this method. 2.1.2 Ethnography The exploration of the effect a designed lighting scheme has upon its inhabitants, particularly those that it is not designed ‘for’ is still of great interest to me. Despite a somewhat underwhelming delivery of result, I find the concept of lighting within 24 hour environments particularly fascinating, and maintain that this concept may reappear within the broader aspects of the major project. The method, one of immersion within an environment, observing and documenting is one which may prove particularly beneficial when appraising the situation surrounding this proposal, Edinburgh’s Union Canal, which I shall discuss later.

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Above: Reactions to Intervention

Above: Probe Kit and Response Map

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2.1.3 Phenomenology Although seemingly unrelated to this proposal, the utilization of phenomenological research method proved to be a beneficial in the organisation of my own thought process, as light and ‘placemaking’ both maintain influence upon one’s senses, in one context or another. Light, as a visual stimulus, is an obvious one when considering sensory research. However, its ability to influence one’s emotions and how we feel when in a certain environment can provide a strong basis for phenomenological research. Similarly, ‘placemaking’ is firmly rooted in the senses: from the visual impact of a public square and the cacophony of the surrounding cityscape, to the smells of a grassy park and the touch of handrail within that square, the tactile elements within the making of a ‘place’ can all have effect upon the feelings and emotions we have towards a place. I intend to use phenomenological methods, rooted within an ethnographic context, to gain an understanding of the Union Canal and its’ environs. The canal, especially at night, is an area which seems to be neglected by the city, and one which can be associated with fear and danger, perhaps due to a tumultuous past and most certainly due to existing lighting conditions. It is this feeling towards the canal area of Fountainbridge that intrigues me, and the neglect shown by various other ‘placemaking’ strategies within Edinburgh that make it an area worth exploring through the major project. 2.1.4 Intervention The use of intervention as both a research and design tool is one of particular interest to my practice. Through the [revised] intervention, an interest in the effective creation of destination, of place, through the use of light and lighting arose and was explored. The result, that the creation of destination through the use of light alone [albeit facilitated by wax] garnered an interest in the concept of light and ‘placemaking.’ The method proved beneficial to my understanding of the attraction people maintain towards light, and I somewhat envisage the major project to involve intervening to the norm in some way, albeit on a micro scale. I imagine a series of small, human scale interventions along the canal way, a beacon for the feared traveller, a ‘light bothy’ of sorts. 2.1.5 Probes Once again, I believe the process of ‘probing’ a number of participants to fuel a research output will be beneficial when considering the major project. The initial process: a) enabled a focus upon the area of Edinburgh’s Union Canal and b) created a basic understanding of people and their reactions to [the absence of] light and space. The use of a kit of parts within the major project context will assist in the identification of potential problem areas, and why people who regularly pass through and utilize the environment surrounding the can have particular mood or feeling towards them.

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2.2 Wider Context The concept of lighting design as a tool in the production of space is not particularly new. Since the advent of fixed gas lighting in the late 18th Century, architects and urban planners have been concerned with the positioning, and indeed colour and effect of, lighting. The earliest forms of a ‘designed’ lighting scheme can be seen with some of the works of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Within sketches of ‘House for an Art Lover,’ there can be seen the intention of a designed lighting scheme, with deliberate positioning of fixtures, and indeed the removal of the mantle of a gas lamp to exploit light of a warmer colour temperature. This application of technique demonstrates a considered approach to the lighting of space and place. In contemporary practice, there are a myriad of lighting design companies that would consider themselves to have contribution to the making of ‘place.’ Edinburgh and London based Speirs and Major Associates have a multitude of projects within the public realm which I would consider to be firmly rooted within ‘placemaking.’ For instance, ongoing projects at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London aim to create a sense of ‘place’ as part of the ongoing Legacy of the 2012 Olympic Games, though the creation of an ‘immersive experience in light.’ (Speirs and Major, 2014). The current scheme, partially completed in April 2014, has been designed to reflect the “joyful character of the park design” whilst ensuring “that users feel safe and secure… as natural light fades.” Similarly, my own working experience has seen projects belonging to ‘placemaking’ through design, of both light, architecture and branding. LDN Architects were appointed in 2010 for the regeneration and transformation for the Piece Hall in Halifax, the oldest [and only] surviving Yorkshire Cloth Hall. In collaboration with Happold Lighting, a lighting scheme was developed in parallel with fabric repairs and a new build extension, to create a luxury shopping destination, restaurants and a new library in the heart of the run down, ex-industrial town centre. The lighting scheme aims to accent the building’s rich historic fabric, whilst maintaining the necessary aspects of safety and visitor comfort expected of such a venture. It aims to create a sense of ‘place’ within the struggling town, giving an area previously associated with life’s seedier activities [the Piece Hall, in the 1980s and 1990s, was home to the dealing of drugs, and one particularly opportunistic local daytime prostitute]1 a new lease of life.

This, despite being open throughout the week. As Halifax was my town of birth, I have it on good authority that this is truth, something of local legend. For more anecdotes about Halifax and the Yorkshire Dales, I’m sure my parents would be happy to oblige.

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These are just two examples, however it seems that any designer, lighting or otherwise, with an interest in community can have some involvement in the creative act of ‘placemaking,’ however a focus upon lighting ‘place’ at a micro, human scale is a an approach less frequented, with focus being upon the larger scale, parks; shopping districts and citywide schemes.

Above: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Speirs and Major

Above: Piece Hall Halifax, LDN Architects/Happold Lighting

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3.0 Literature Review There is much in the way of literature focusing upon lighting, its role with regard to ‘placemaking’ and indeed its role within urban environments. As stated previously, many cities such as Glasgow, Edinburgh, Lyon and Melbourne have urban lighting strategies which explore lighting’s role in the creation of ‘place.’ Each city has its own interpretation of lighting requirements, the role and function of lighting plays within the urban fabric, sustainability issues and issues relating to perception of safety and security. In addition, there have been many writings which focus upon concept, rather than implementation, both with regard to lighting and placemaking, as well as placemaking as standalone. Furthermore, there are guidelines upon the lighting of cities which remain technical in their capacity. The Society of Light and Lighting (SLL), a subsidiary of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) in the United Kingdom, publishes guidance upon the technicalities and aesthetics of lighting urban environments, as well as general guidance applicable to the lighting of urban environments, in many of their publications, including the SLL Lighting Handbook, the SLL Code for Lighting and the SLL Lighting Guide 06: The Outdoor Environment. These, however, have very little to do with the making of ‘place’. Below, I have provided brief outline and commentary upon those I have deemed most appropriate to the topic of light and ‘placemaking.’

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3.1 Urban Lighting Strategies 3.1.1 Glasgow: City of Light (2001 - ) Glasgow’s City of Light Implementation Strategy arose from Glasgow City Council’s overall Development Masterplan for the city, responding to Objective 5, “Develop[ing] Glasgow’s metropolitan role, quality of life, heritage and services” (GCC, 2006). The lighting strategy comes under the city’s planning department guidelines, and sets out the following: -

“Lighting is integral part of design of the urban environment

Lighting of buildings, streets and spaces increases interest and vitality at night, improves ambience and safety. and reinforces a sense of place.

Policies and guidance on architectural lighting and minimizing light pollution”

(GCC,2006) Both the first and second points raised here demonstrate a dedication to the consideration of lighting with regard to ‘placemaking,’ whilst the further objectives within the lighting strategy place focus upon ”enhanc[ing] residential environments,” introducing ideas of placemaking through lighting across the city at a lived scale. Furthermore, Glasgow’s lighting strategy endeavours to create a sense of ‘place’ through the involvement with the Lighting Urban Community International Association (LUCI), and by reappraising the lighting of “landmarks, street lighting, amenity lighting, festive lighting” through permanent schemes, the 100+ completed projects citywide, and the introduction of the lighting festival, “Radiance,” in 2005 and 2007.

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3.1.2 A Sustainable Lighting Strategy for Edinburgh (2012) Edinburgh’s Sustainable Lighting Strategy forms part of the City’s vision within the Public Realm Strategy, which states that “Edinburgh will develop and maintain a high quality public realm to complement the outstanding built and natural qualities of this unique capital city.” (Edinburgh City Council, 2012) The Sustainable lighting strategy maintains that lighting performs a significant role in revealing the city’s character and branding, setting out three broad objectives developed to reflect the variety of roles illumination plays within the city: -

“To reinforce Edinburgh’s character and support its role as the economic, cultural and ceremonial capital of Scotland.

To develop a well designed, coordinated and coherent approach to lighting so that lighting design becomes an intrinsic part of the street and place without compromising community safety, security, amenity and which assists orientation for both pedestrians and road users.

- To encourage lighting designs that will reduce energy use, cost and minimise light pollution.” (ECC,2012) As with Glasgow’s City of Light Strategy, Edinburgh’s sees the value of the role light takes within ‘placemaking,’ again through the permanent application to the city’s historic urban fabric, and indeed what it refers to as “City Dressing,” which amounts to seasonal lighting during Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay Celebrations, with a smaller consideration during August’s festival period. The strategy recognizes lighting’s role in the regeneration of the city, scheme stating the scheme “engender[s] new found confidence and support other regeneration mechanisms.” and that street and feature lighting contribute to “the overall improvement of the public realm… as part of a toolkit for regeneration literally casting new light on an area and demonstrating a renewed confidence through investment” citing example at Edinburgh’s Waterfront. The lighting strategy also makes reference to the desire to join LUCI, to acquire similar status as Glasgow. Edinburgh’s Lighting Strategy however makes little reference to the lived scale, whilst aspects of ‘placemaking’ and lighting very much remain in the city’s central historic areas.

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3.2 Review 3.2.1 Best Practices in Placemaking Through Illumination, Brätt et al Brätt et al outline an extensive study on the effective contribution light takes in the production of space and ‘place,’ identifying four major case studies in city Lighting Strategies, including Lyon and Melbourne, whilst basing the findings solidly in academic and industry literature. Key points across the board in the study are summarized as follows: •

lighting within urban environments is multifaceted, with a positive contribution to both individual building and public realm. There is also strong significance with the perception of security.

• Furthermore, the quality of a lighting scheme within an urban environment is raised into question, with particular emphasis upon the specification of product and function thereof. •

Issues of sustainability are affected by a multitude of factors, both in application and orientation of product, as well as the specification of.

•

The study suggests that the quality of an urban lighting scheme is linked to the socioeconomic development of a given area.

•

The study emphasizes the importance of masterplanning a lighting scheme, as with the example of Glasgow’s City of Light Strategy.

•

Finally, the defining of a lighting hierarchy or ‘zoning’ of lighting type, style or effect is essential to good practice.

The case studies presented within “Best Practices…” emphasise the importance of lighting’s role within the context of ‘placemaking,’ the relevance of lighting festivals as a beneficial contribution to a sense of place, and that a cohesive, structured approach to a lighting masterplan is essential in the success of the scheme.

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3.2.2 Lantern Field: Exploring Participatory Design of a Communal, Spatially Responsive Installation, Bortz et al Aki Ishida’s contribution to this paper emphasizes the traditional role light maintains within concepts of placemaking. The ‘Lantern Field’ project encouraged participatory design and construction of a responsive field of illuminated paper kites. These actions were inspired by ‘ephemeral events and placemaking’ experienced by the architect as a child, citing particular examples in the “obon” festivals, during which period the “spirits of one's ancestors are honored by the lighting of” a multitude of public spaces, encouraging the spirit of community within a transient state. (Bortz et al, 2012) The attitudes addressed in this paper also engage with those expressed in both lighting strategy and “Best Practices…” as to the importance of ‘event’ and participation within a placemaking framework.

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4.0 Discussion Taking into account research based in both primary and secondary sources, a rationale for the major project proposal can be put forward and discussed. Lighting’s inherent role in the making of place and space, in consulting the above, can be proven both essential and beneficial. The primary research conducted as part of the Research Methods module produced an interest in the role lighting can play in destination making. The latter two exercises demonstrated the human affliction towards lighting, whilst also proposing that light and lighting has a considerable association with the making of place, both in public and private space. I deemed the method of intervention to be of particular interest, the result of which established that a sense of place in an urban setting, a space where one may spend there time can indeed be created with the addition of suitable lighting. The latter, the exercise of probing, confirmed in some capacity the association I had made between light, place and memory, whilst also giving a location to the major project: the areas surrounding Edinburgh’s Union Canal, an area associated somewhat with fear. It is this concept of “dark place,” associated with fear and neglect that intrigues me, with a want to bring them to the forefront of the public realm, giving a sense of ‘place’ to one where there may not have been previous. Furthermore, a context of current practice has confirmed that ‘placemaking’ through light and lighting is very much relevant now, as it was with the advent of fixed lighting and the earliest of designed lighting schemes. As stated before, any designer; be they lighting designer, urban planner, architect or beyond with some affliction to aspects of community within the public realm can assist in making a sense of place. However their success is firmly rooted within the communities in which they serve. It is with this in mind that imminent research regarding Edinburgh’s Canalside area will be done so in contact with the Fountainbridge Canalside Initiative, and also consulting the Scottish Canals’ Union Canal Strategy. In addition, the review of local city Lighting Strategies, and academic text has proven useful in relaying the importance of light with regard to the production of place, whilst also deeming the appropriateness of scale to the major project. The reiteration of placemaking theme in both strategy and text demonstrates a clear relationship between lighting and successful urban space. For the most part, however, a citywide, macro-scale approach is adopted. I am therefore proposing a contrasting approach to scale, one within the realm of the human scale, micro-scaled to a potentially lived space. Individual space within the public realm.

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5.0 Conclusion Lighting’s role in the traditional definition of ‘placemaking’ is one deemed to be of significant importance. It can influence the aesthetic of the spaces that surround, the immediate impact it has upon the city dweller, the perception of safety and security they have and indeed have associations with branding and regeneration, contributing significantly to the concept of urban identity. However, upon reconsideration, it is the areas that ‘placemaking’ leaves behind, the ones not within the scope of regeneration and branding strategies which maintain a certain interest and mystery. ‘Placemaking,’ traditionally associated upon a larger, city-wide scale becomes much more interesting and complex when considered within a micro-scale, at a human scale within the wider context of the urban landscape. Here, a shift in focus may become revealing of a new way of seeing the city, and the various components that comprise it. The sift from macro to micro scaling, may indeed ‘bring to light’ a new model for ‘placemaking’ and the role it plays within the urban context. Therefore, a proposal with this in mind can be ratified: series of small scale interventions, termed for now as ‘light bothies,’ addressing Edinburgh’s Canalside area and the associated issues therein. A new model for the concept of ‘placemaking,’ with the role of light and lighting at the forefront.

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6.0 Bibiiography Bortz, B., Ishida, A., Ico, I. Bukvic, R., Knapp, B. (2014). Lantern Field: Exploring Participatory Design of a Communal, Spatially Responsive Installation. Conference: Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expressions. p73-80. Brätt, J. James, G. Price, R. Sewall, J.. (2010). Best Practices in Placemaking through Illumination. Virginia Tech Urban Affairs and Planning Program. Bush, J. (2014). Placemaking via lighting. Available: http://2013-2014.nclurbandesign.org/ blog/placemaking-via-lighting/. Last accessed 16th Dec 2014 Glasgow City Council 2006?, Glasgow: City of Light, pamphlet, Glasgow City Council, Glasgow. Glasgow City Council 2006?, Glasgow: City of Light – A Selected Guide to Projects Implemented by Glasgow’s Lighting Strategy, pamphlet, Glasgow City Council, Glasgow. Glasgow City Council. Lighting Strategy. Available: https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index. aspx?articleid=4422. Last accessed 15th Dec 2014. Moss, I. (2012). Creative Placemaking has an Outcomes Problem. Available: http://createquity. com/2012/05/creative-placemaking-has-an-outcomes-problem/. Last accessed 15th Dec 2014. Piiparinen, R. (2012). Faking It: The Happy Messaging of Placemaking. Available: http:// www.newgeography.com/content/003244-faking-it-the-happy-messaging-placemaking. Last accessed 15th Dec 2014. Project for Public Spaces. What is Placemaking?. Available: http://www.pps.org/reference/ what_is_placemaking/. Last accessed 13th Dec 2014. Project for Public Spaces. Eleven Principles for Creating Great Community Places. Available: http://www.pps.org/reference/11steps/. Last accessed 12th Dec 2014. Silberberg, S. Lorah, K. Disbrow, R. Muessig, A. (2013). Places in the Making: How placemaking builds places and communities. Cambridge: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Speirs and Major. (2014). Queen Elizabeth II Olympic Park. Available: http://www. speirsandmajor.com/work/architecture/queen_elizabeth_ii_olympic_park/. Last accessed 15th Dec 2014. The City of Edinburgh Council. A Sustainable Lighting Strategy for Edinburgh Finalised Version, Planning Committee. (Item No 11). Edinburgh: The City of Edinburgh Council, 14 June 2012. Zumthor, P. (2006). Atmospheres: Architectural Environments - Surrounding Objects . Berlin: Birkhäuser GmbH.

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Lights Over Union Canal

Project Documentation