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How Edinburgh Developments are Set to Transform the City

1 September 2022

Edinburgh has once again found itself at the centre of attention this summer, as the Edinburgh Fringe festival returns in full force following the various restrictions and lockdowns of the coronavirus pandemic. As creative communities and visitors descend on this Scottish city of international culture, more eyes land on the city and its stature as a creative hub.

Those eyes will also find a glut of work underway, as the city enjoys an informal ‘regeneration’ through dramatic improvements to infrastructure and property alike. There are numerous construction projects and developments underway, each of which seek to improve the city for generations to come.

New Developments for Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s New Town Quarter development is a comprehensive overhaul of nearly six acres in Canonmills, bringing hundreds of domestic properties and a glut of commercial spaces to bring the area into its own. The works are expected to finish by 2025, bringing the regeneration of Canonmills all that closer to completion.

Diageo has funded the restoration of the House of Fraser building on Princes St, for refurbishment as the Johnnie Walker building – a testament to the founder of the world-famous whisky brand. Edinburgh will also soon have a new stadium to add to its hospitality offerings, with the Edinburgh International Arena in the area of Straiton set for completion by 2024. The project is estimated to cost £400 million in total, representing significant investment in the area and its growth.

Controversy and Risk

However, the breadth and pace of such developments bring with them a host of associated risks and hazards – and tragedy for at least one construction worker in the city. Last year, it was reported that a construction worker had been crushed under a low-level lift in a rare health and safety incident on-site, at the Johnnie Walker construction project on Princes Street.

The worker survived the accident, having been treated for broken ribs – but the site incident nonetheless illustrates perfectly the dangers inherent to work in construction. Not only are workers personally responsible for their safety and the safety of others around them, but the multi-national construction firms helming Edinburgh’s regeneration have a duty of care to every worker in their employ.

This duty is realised in the form of comprehensive health and safety procedures, followed in line with government legislation. But incidents can still occur, in the form of accents or system failures. In such cases where these incidents are not the fault of the injured party, the firm as a whole could be liable to civil action.

Looking to the Future

Thankfully, the issues facing construction workers on-site are largely well in hand, with the various projects and programmes across the city forging ahead safely and efficiently. The pace and scale of work taking place in the city is a testament to a bright future for Scotland’s capital. The new international arena, coupled with significant domestic expansions, are sure to invite more residents and ensure a vibrant population for years to come.

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Architecture

Rowanbank Gardens, Corstorphine

Rowanbank Gardens Edinburgh Housing

West Town Vision

image courtesy of architects practice
West Town Edinburgh Property Vision

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