Western northern Edinburgh is the intended location. Silverknowes, Muirhouse, and West Pilton are interrelated communities with distinct personalities, challenges, and promise. Lauriston Farm and the beach route to Silverknowes Esplanade are nearby. Muirhouse and West Pilton are densely populated and suffering. The projected development would link nearby facilities via walking and cycling. Development requires improving infrastructure and reorganizing streets. Muirhouse and West Pilton have the highest population densities, with tenements and low-rise flats, whereas Silverknowes has semi-detached dwellings. Although most Muirhouse and West Pilton residents don’t own automobiles, the community’s streets are built for cars and feature lots of on-street parking at the tenement front. However, underutilized green space and that along the route can be used to stimulate street use and reorganization, which can reduce car use and increase pedestrian delight.
Sirapope Rastapana
Project description
Tackling sustainability issues
As indicated in the first illustration, an overall review of the focal and neighboring areas suggests numerous challenges in sustainability. The development aims focused on 3 major features of the area: water, green infrastructure, and sustainable transportation for locals. Each street was surveyed and classified as typical existing before proposing a sustainable design option. Bioswales are used to merge run-off utilization and water collection. Existing green areas are improved for local usage, enhancing biodiversity by planting native trees and plants. Transportation infrastructure has been developed to focus on encouraging the use of pedestrian and cycling path.
Focused area on West Granton road
Existing pond and open areas between Fourthquarter Park and the Muirhouse community can be utilised to promote connectivity between the two. The gas holder park will be used as an educational park in the future as part of the project plan, benefiting nearby schools and colleges. This nearby street area includes facilities for children’s development and growth, such as a sports field, pond observation deck and multipurpose amphitheatre. The local and main route near West Granton rd has been designed to promote sustainable modes of transport such as walking and cycling. The walking path flooring is made of recovered wood from Move On Wood Recycling in West Granton. A safer and more standardised approach to the park will increase people’s mobility in the neighbourhood.
Sylverknowes Parkway
Detached houses are connected to green strip open space, whereas high rise buildings have their own large public space surrounding them. One of the roads has been changed into a play street to offer people with access to those open spaces and to connect the entire neighbourhood. Sports and gatherings are provided in a broad open area to create a lively pocket garden for residents to use. Strip spaces are used for semi-public functions such as residential farming, walking trails, and peaceful seating areas. The road to the north is higher and separated by a green strip; this quality has been utilised to collect run-off water by incorporating a bioswale into the activity area. Water will flow to the existing pond and collect for future irrigation.
Pennywell road - The busiest road
By enhancing accessibility and providing appropriate activities, the fragmented strip green area placed along the street has become a part of development. To increase career prospects, multipurpose grass spaces are offered for community workshops. Green areas and communities will connect to open space for gathering and events such as a weekend farmer’s market, student art space, and learning plaza that will be accessible by local streets. Some potential streets adjacent to natural space are transformed into play streets by incorporating painted for playing and permeable material to address water issues. Routes are reorganised and blocked (see supplemental booklet) to control car traffic in the neighbourhood, encouraging people to walk or cycle instead of driving. Locals are in charge of activities such as community farming and recreational space, while councils manage others such as playgrounds, seating areas, and plazas.
Typical conditions of existing infrastructure
Typical infrastructure development
Sirapope Rastapana
