Edinburgh’s Waterfront is one of the largest urban regeneration projects in Scotland. The urban waterfront is 10 miles long and with development proposed for 350 hectares of land. It is a major strategic growth area, of significance not just to the City but to the whole of the Edinburgh City Region.
To the end the City of Edinburgh Council has prepared a ‘Work plan for Edinburgh’s Waterfront’ which aims to create an enhanced policy framework for the whole 10 miles of the Edinburgh waterfront. Furthermore the ‘Leith Docks Development Framework’ (LDDF) sets out a long-term vision and framework for the redevelopment of Leith Docks in Edinburgh. It followed an innovative process including partnership between the public and private sectors and was subject to extensive public consultation. It was approved by the Council as supplementary planning guidance on 10 February 2005. The LDDF proposes an extension of Leith and the city which integrates the old and new areas in a mixed, balanced and inclusive waterfront community. Finally the City of Edinburgh Council is the lead partner in the EU funded ‘Waterfront Communities Project’ which is exploring best practice internationally in waterfront development.

In the next future one of the main projects is the regeneration of Leith Docks. The project has the potential to contribute to a wide range of City of Edinburgh Council objectives and meet a substantial proportion of its development needs. Historically, the re-connection of the urban fabric of Leith with its waterfront and the integration of the redeveloped docks with their hinterland have been consistently important objectives. Great emphasis is now being placed on the creation of well-planned, sustainable, diverse communities with access to a full range of local services such as shops and schools.

Some of the attractions already along the Waterfront (or in development) blend the old with the new - including the Bernard Street Historic Quarter, Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre (home of the Royal Yacht Britannia), Edinburgh Dock Maritime Centre, the Industry and Energy Park plus further expansion will include a Boardwalk linking the 10 mile waterfront stretch.
Transport will be a very important aspect of regeneration of Leith Docks to meet wider city needs and take on a wider role within the region. The scale of development in prospect and the kinds of development will be instrumental in securing a tram link with the city centre. At the same time, investment in the tram is intended to help stimulate the development in Leith not only of housing, but also a wide range of economic, cultural, leisure and other commercial developments. These new public transport, walking and cycling links, as well as the physical layout of development are expected to facilitate integration of the waterfront into the urban fabric.

The experience to date in Leith Docks, Edinburgh, shows how entrepreneurship and an eye for opportunity can start a regeneration process through the establishment of flagship developments (government, retail, tourism), but at some point a strategic approach to the development of areas of this scale is needed, supported by overall development frameworks and possibly master plans.

Further information is available on the following websites:

Port of Edinburgh
http://www.2747.com/2747/world/port/edinburgh.htm

The City of Edinburgh Council
http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk