Union Street latest: Whitepaper finds 17 ways to improve the Granite Mile
The ideas emerged from tens of thousands of ideas that were submitted online
The first Our Union Street whitepaper has been published as the battle to save the street moves forward.
Since the campaign launch in March, more than 10,000 ideas have been submitted, all of which have been considered and narrowed down into 17 key themes.
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Five distinct challenges
Footfall, accessibility, the state of the street, empty shops and narrative.
The five areas that, if improved upon, could return Union Street to its former glory.
"As we progress, we want to build a community that is passionate about Union Street, and to mobilise a volunteer force that will really make a difference", said Our Union Street Chairman, Bob Keiller.
"In short, we want to reenergise Union Street so that people can be proud of it again. Today feels like an important first step."
What are the 17 key themes?
They each fall under one of the five aforementioned challenges.
Footfall
- Atmosphere - creating tourist attractions and a rich and varied calendar of city centre events and experiences.
- Ensuring that all events are easy to find and to book
Accessibility
- Review parking concerns.
- Investigate bus and taxi problems and options.
- Questions around pedestrianisation and café culture.
The state of the street
- Cleaning the streets, pavements and street furniture.
- Maintaining upper-levels on buildings.
- Making empty units more attractive.
- Improving the look of existing shops.
- Organising exhibitions for empty retail unit windows.
- Aesthetics: Colour, plants, flowers, trees, seating, lighting and public spaces.
- Organising Volunteers.
Empty shops
- Attracting new tenants for empty units.
- Empty unit options (beyond retail, food & drink).
Narrative
- Marketing the street.
- Uncovering our history and culture.
- Learning from other places.
What next?
These, and more, will be discussed at a mass public meeting on Wednesday afternoon.
Around 400 people who signed up help the campaign are expected to attend.