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The strategy aligns with the city's Net Zero 2030 ambitions, City Mobility Plan, and Edinburgh City Centre Transformation (ECCT) initiative. The ECCT, approved in 2019, includes major projects like the George Street and First New Town transformations and the Meadows to George Street corridor.
Residents, businesses, and other stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback on the draft strategy and contribute to shaping the future of this iconic part of Edinburgh.
www.edinburgh.gov.uk/citycentretransformation
As well as Princes Street the Waverley Valley area covers East and West Princes Street Gardens, Waverley Station, Waverley Market and East Market Street.
The draft strategy aims to:
• Create a more accessible city centre
The masterplan for comment recommends guiding the area from the West End of Princes Street along to Waverley Station to become more accessible, with improvements such as additional ramp access to Princes Street Gardens, a footbridge over the Waverley Valley, more public spaces to enjoy, an improved crossing and pedestrian improvements to Castle Street, the Mound Precinct, and Waverley Bridge.
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• Protected green spaces
The strategy looks to integrate climate resilience and biodiversity measures to protect the existing Waverley Valley and Gardens from climate change and to plant more trees and flowers - also promoting sustainable transport options and the retrofitting of historic buildings in line with Edinburgh's net zero aims.
• Revitalise Princes Street
Working with developers, the strategy suggests improvements to Princes Street with temporary pop-up premises, building wraps and artwork and encourages mixed-uses for the prominent high street. Improvements to historic buildings, including the Ross Bandstand, are also suggested to create better opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy the area.
• Make improvements to Waverley Station
Shape the future of Waverley Station and the area around it. Its key position between the Old and New Towns makes the station a vital connection between the Old and New Towns. Network Rail's Waverley Masterplan recognises the need to restore and modernise the station.
Councillor James Dalgleish, Planning Convener, said: "We have published a draft ambitious vision for the Capital's iconic Princes Street and surrounding area which sits within our internationally renowned World Heritage Site.
"I'd encourage everyone living in or interested in our beautiful Capital city to comment on it by answering the questions we're asking around accessibility and public space in area, the future of the Gardens and the area in and around Waverley Station. As we put together the draft vision we listened to views about all of these important sites for Edinburgh. And as we move forward developing it, we need to make sure we balance our city's rich heritage with the urgent need for sustainable and accessible spaces, and with new development. This will allow us all to continue to appreciate the charm of our city centre as well as the facilities it provides.
"The area is well used by Edinburgh residents, businesses and visitors from across the world and we plan to breathe new life into it, protecting and invest in it, to make sure that this will be the case for many years to come."
