Wellbeing vision

It is laudable that the 2050 Edinburgh City Vision includes the opportunity for

the city’s residents to be consulted online for their views, a chance, supposedly, to positively influence what the city will be like in 2050.

Themes reported in the recent article by John Donnelly, after this first year of public consultation, were that citizens are seeking a connected city, a thriving city, a fair city and an inspiring city. These are, of course, aspirations we all seek – and to a great extent, expect – from those in power, vision or not. Things to add to the list of expectations might be a litter free city, an unpolluted city, a secure city , affordable homes for all etc.

I would suggest that well being is also an essential overriding need. This term refers, of course, to how healthy people are physically and mentally and it depends, to a significant extent, on where and how people live, thus also to the general built environment they experience day to day. The quality of the built environment has proven to be essential to feelings of wellbeing.

Unfortunately, discussion on the quality of our urban environment seems to be a feature missing from the online public consultation, so far. The future shaping of the built city needs to be as much to the fore as social, economic and other environmental aspects. It is clear from the frequent objections from community groups to certain recent development proposals that many residents do have quite strong views on the quality of the ever-reshaping urban environment around them and on changes to the city’s built fabric. They should be encouraged to give their opinions on those aspects too as part of the online consultation.

LESLIE HOWSON Architect and urban designer,

Gilmore Place , Edinburgh