Tag: university of edinburgh

RTPI Scotland Planning Awards for Excellence

Some (5) of the planning team standing and smiling holding the three awards.
Some of the planning team with the awards

We’re thrilled to announce that last week we secured the title of Scottish Planning Authority of the Year at this year’s Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Scotland Awards for Planning Excellence.

This fantastic accolade highlights the exceptional efforts of everyone in the service and celebrates their commitment to enhancing our community and making Edinburgh a wonderful place to live.

Additionally, Rowanbank Gardens, a housing development in Corstorphine, received a commendation in the Best Project category. It’s brilliant to see this project recognised for its quality and positive impact on the community, reinforcing our mission to create inclusive and vibrant neighbourhoods.

The crowning achievement was when the Edinburgh Futures Institute was named the overall winner.  This remarkable project, which saw the transformation of the former Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh at Quartermile, demonstrates the qualities of good planning and working in partnership.  It’s not just about the buildings; it’s about how we design spaces that uplift and engage our community.

These awards remind us that skilled planners and all those involved in the planning process are key to delivering these successful projects, and their hard work genuinely makes a difference in our daily lives.

As we look forward to the national RTPI awards in London later this year, we couldn’t be prouder of what the team has achieved.

In addition to these exciting achievements, we’re also celebrating our Building Standards team, who recently won the Local Authority Building Standards Scotland Awards for Customer Focus. This recognition underscores our ongoing commitment to excellence at the City of Edinburgh Council.

Have your say on new draft planning guidance for purpose built student accommodation (PBSA)

Photograph shows an example of student housing. Modern, new looking two-storey building next to green space and a small tree on a sunny day.

Our consultation is now open for draft planning guidance for purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) in Edinburgh. 

The draft guidance has been prepared to support City Plan 2030 policy dealing with PBSA. It sets out the Council’s expectations and provides guidance for developers and planning officers. It also seeks to ensure the provision of good quality PBSA in appropriate locations whilst protecting the character of existing areas. 

It applies to all types of PBSA developments, including new build, change of use and conversion. To support the health and wellbeing of students, it is essential that they are provided with appropriately located, high quality accommodation. While many students will choose to live in other forms of accommodation, PBSA is a key part of the available accommodation in the city.

We want the guidance to help people understand what we require from the development of PBSA. To do this, we want to make sure the content is clear, helpful, and balanced.

When approved in its final form it will be used by the Council to assess planning applications.

You can read the draft guidance and give us your views in our online survey by Friday 23 May 2025.

Edinburgh World Heritage Events

View west across the Georgian splendour of Edinburgh New Town, with the line of Princes Street (left of centre), George Street (centre) and Queen Street (right) running parallell. Princes Street Gardens are prominent to the left, as are Queens Street Gardens to the right. The recently renovated gardens in St. Andrews Square, just above centre foreground, form a symmetrical pattern with those in Charlotte Square, at the other end of George Street, upper centre right. The Royal Academy and National Gallery are situated on The Mound, which runs through Princes Street Gardens mid-left. Edinburgh Castle, situated on the volcanic crags overlooking Princes Street Gardens, dominaters the upper left of this view.

Edinburgh World Heritage host regular events throughout the year — here are two upcoming events that you might be interested in.

Energy Retrofit of Traditional Buildings in Edinburgh

On Tuesday 25 March, this free event will offer insight on enhancing energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions in traditional buildings. 

There will also be information on Edinburgh Word Heritage’s Climate Emergency Grant programme as well as a question and answer session.  The event will conclude with tea and coffee. 

Click here for more information and to sign up.

Geology City

On Thursday 20 March, Dr Angus Miller from University of Edinburgh will examine the influence Edinburgh’s underlying geology has had on the evolution of the city as well as the role it has played in placing Edinburgh at the heart of the development of ideas on how the world works. 

Click here for more information and to sign up.

Calling all historic property owner-occupiers!

Colourful graphic design of historic buildings against a yellow background. Text reads "Giving voice to historic property owners"

As part of our efforts to update the Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas planning guidance, the City of Edinburgh Council is collaborating with the University of Edinburgh to understand how the guidance can be improved to be more practical and accessible.

The University’s project, Giving Voice to Historic Property Owners, is now recruiting focus group and workshop participants. The project is specifically looking for owner-occupiers (you own the home you are living in) of listed buildings and properties in a conservation area in Edinburgh. 

You can check here to see if your property is listed or in a conservation area.

It’s important that voices from as many conservation areas are included in this project.  Owner-occupiers in the Leith, Southside, Portobello, Inverleith, Morningside areas are especially encouraged to sign up. But all historic property owners are welcome!

Focus group participants will receive a £10 e-gift card and in-person workshops will end with a catered lunch.

Learn more and sign up on the project information page.

Calling all historic property owner-occupiers!

As part of our efforts to update the Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas planning guidance, the City of Edinburgh Council is collaborating with the University of Edinburgh to understand how the guidance can be improved to be more practical and accessible.

The University’s project, Giving Voice to Historic Property Owners, is now recruiting focus group and workshop participants. The project is specifically looking for owner–occupiers (you own the home you are living in) of listed buildings and properties in a conservation area in Edinburgh. 

You can check here to see if your property is listed or in a conservation area.

Focus group participants will receive a £10 e-gift card and in-person workshops will end with a catered lunch.

Learn more and sign up on the project information page.