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A new Edinburgh

Edinburgh is changing, says Sir Terry Farrell, the world famous urbanist and Edinburgh’s design champion, as he reviews his first four years in this role.
Since 2004, Sir Terry has led the Edinburgh Design Initiative, bringing together a range of people with an interest in the city and place-making to think about future directions for the Scottish capital. In this month’s Prospect magazine, Sir Terry has laid out the work of the Design Initiative as a set of essays and twelve challenges for the city that would radically change not only how Edinburgh sees itself but also its position as a world-class city.
Sir Terry's twelve challenges endorse the actions already being progressed by the City of Edinburgh Council and provide a challenge to the Council to be even more ambitious in taking these forward. In particular, he highlights the need for a continued focus on:

Reinventing Princes Street. For too long Princes Street has suffered from commercial decline and is characterised by too many second-rate buildings, too much clutter and shocking bottlenecks. It can and should be one of Europe’s finest promenades. Floors above street-level are hardly used with many used only for storage, and Sir Terry recommends a range of new uses such as flats, boutique hotels or leisure that will see people rather than shoeboxes enjoying the view of Edinburgh Castle.
Redeveloping the waterfront. Edinburgh’s waterfront offers outstanding opportunities for regeneration and the creation of a new kind of waterfront city. The redevelopment of the waterfront as new urban territory with housing, offices, entertainment and leisure facilities would be a spectacular addition to Edinburgh, and have as great an impact as the New Town and Old Town had when they were first developed.
Reaching across to Glasgow. Sir Terry is clear that Edinburgh and Glasgow are setting aside their historic rivalries and are beginning to work more closely together. This should continue with a focus on delivering real benefits if they are to compete on a global scale with other large cities. Already they form Scotland’s economic and cultural backbone, and are set in an amazing setting of water, rural and urban terrain that faces both across the Atlantic and across to Europe. By retaining their individuality but working and planning together, Sir Terry believes that the two cities can address their future needs and respond to global challenges such as climate change.

Sir Terry said:
“Edinburgh is deservedly recognised as one of the best places in the world, but is facing a time of enormous growth and change. I have been impressed by the quality and range of ideas from so many people involved in architecture and place-making in Edinburgh. My aim as design champion is to work with others to take forward the debate about urban design and the public realm, and to encourage an approach to future planning that keeps place-making at its heart.”
“The last time Edinburgh faced such big changes and challenges was 200 years ago, and I sense an enthusiasm for debate about the opportunities that present themselves for the future. I want to encourage a discussion about initiatives that can dramatically transform the city and the region, and enhance Edinburgh’s position as one of the world’s finest cities.”
Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond has had discussions with Sir Terry and believes his approach deserves further examination.
Sir Terry’s work has been undertaken with the approval of senior councillors at Edinburgh City Council. Cllr Jenny Dawe, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, who has supported his work, said:
“Edinburgh has undergone an immense period of growth in the last decade and all predictions suggest this is set to continue. I asked Sir Terry to prepare a review of his four years as our independent City Design Champion. As part of this he has established his '12 Challenges' that the city faces if we are to manage growth and ensure Edinburgh is a force to be reckoned with for many years to come.
"Many of these challenges are, of course, already being addressed. However Sir Terry's emphasis on 'Place' is central to securing the highest standards in design for an international capital city with World Heritage status, while ensuring the city remains a special place to live, work and visit."
Dave Anderson, the City of Edinburgh Council's newly appointed Director of City Development said:
"Sir Terry's role as Design Champion for the City provides the Council with a hugely valuable, independent source of external advice that constantly challenges us as we take forward the development of the City into the 21st century. It is heartening that there is a strong degree of consensus with the Council's view of development priorities and I look forward to working closely with Sir Terry as we address the design-related challenges of developing on Edinburgh's unique built heritage."