May 11 2005

Forth Ports has launched the masterplans for the newly-named Edinburgh Forthside, one of Europe’s largest regeneration projects, encompassing major mixed-use developments at Western Harbour, Granton Harbour and Port of Leith.
Robert Adam Architects has developed a set of masterplans for Western Harbour and Granton Harbour, for Forth Ports. The plans follow the principles of traditional urban design, but encourage a vibrant mix of contemporary alongside traditional building types.
Some developers and architects have complained that the plans are too prescriptive.
According to Adam’s proposal the centrepiece of Western Harbour will be a large landscaped park, similar in size to Edinburgh’s famous Princes Street Gardens. Surrounding it will be a new streetscape of curved close-knit streets, inspired by the historic character of Leith. In the new masterplan, buildings, streets, parks and squares are arranged in ways that will encourage pedestrians to wander, discover and linger. A public walk will be built along the entire breakwater, providing a seaside promenade.
Robert Adam, chair of the masterplanning team, said: “We have developed a plan and design codes that will promote the rich mix of styles, sizes, uses and materials that help to give an area its character. We are going to create desirable spaces and places on a human scale, and with a real local identity.”

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