yuanyuan li - urban planning and design portfolio

Yuanyuan LiPORTFOLIO 2011-2016

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Yuanyuan Li

Stenhouse Crescent 82/2EH11 3HUEmail: [email protected]: + 44 7546 753902

Education

Sept 2014 - Present Heriot - Watt University (HWU) – Edinburgh, the UK

BSc (Hons) Urban Planning and Property Development (Class 2:1)Sept 2011 - Aug 2014 Yunnan University (YNU) – Kunming, China

BEng Urban Planning Sept 2008 - Jun 2011 Yulin High School, Shaanxi Province, China

Took the National College Entrance Examination (NCEE) of China with mark of 572 (720 in total), Ranked top 4% in China.

Experience

Jun 2016 - Present TA at Alba Cathy Chinese School for Fine Art class Sept 2014 - Present Translator for HWU Official Website and subject-related lectures for Chinese users and audiences Sept 2015 - Present Volunteer for Scottish Confucius Institute of Business and CommunicationSept 2011 - Aug 2012 Student Union Assistant in YNUSept 2009 - Jun 2010 Editor-in-Chief for School Newspaper, Yulin High School

Skills

Languages: English (Fluent), Mandarin (Native)Digital Skills: Auto CAD, SketchUp, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, ArcGIS, Microsoft OFFICE SeriesGood interpersonal and Teamwork skills

Adaptability, flexibility, the ability to multitaskAmbition, confidence and the courage to challenge

Table of Content

1. The Gateway Edinburgh - Gogar Station Interchange WEAVE 2. City Centre Pedestrain Zone Planning and Design SOCIAL STREETSCAPES3. Water Sensitive Neighbourhood Regeneration - Yudai River ACTIVE HERITAGE4. Marine Gardens Masterplan ACTIVE HERITAGE WATERFRONT & NEW LIFE

ACTIVE HERITAGE MOON & DREAMwwwwwwww

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WEAVE

6 7 WEAVE The Gateway Edinburgh - Gogar Station Interchange

Gogar Station Interchange is located in the Major new development in strategic development area and employment centre. The north of the site will have an opportunity for connecting into new house development (total of 107560 new homes will be required across SESplan area in the period 2024). It is also located in one of the 7 commercial centres in Edinburgh and be recognised as Spatial Economic Area.

WEAVE --- Gogar Station InterchangeSite Context

Network Rail proposes to erect a new station interchange at Gogar on the west side of Edinburgh. The station will provide a link between the east coast mainline from Edinburgh and Aberdeen and the proposed tram line to and from Edinburgh Airport.

Location

Spatial Strategy

New Residential DevelopmentSpecial Economic AreaStrategic Business CentreGreen Space

Site Plan

8 9 WEAVE The Gateway Edinburgh - Gogar Station Interchange

A Comprehensively designed proposals consider the economies, social, environment and transport. Developing for leisure and retail uses is as part of the mix use proposal.In the site, leisure use, transport use and public open spaces are weaving with each other.

B An extension of the existing and planning green space corridor. Offer sufficient Green Infrastructure.

C Improve pedestrian and cycle links through the site and provide strong, safe connections with services and facilities in the surrounding area.

The curve layout of architecture and design aims to create an attracting and leading environment. Also, it is designed as a landmark in Gogar and the surrounding area). 3D Volumetric construction, where prefabrication of components will be largely taken to site and fitted. The materials will be largely recyclable, supporting the important dive for more eco-friendly construction namely both structures comprising of a recycled steel frame coupled a largely low-emissivity glass and matt finish steel panels which are also recycled. The roofing will be ETFE, it gives lots of natural light, high longevity and is also very lightweight.

Design Concept - Weaving

Leisure Use

Trasportation Use

Open Spaces

Leisure Centre

Transport Hub & Retail

Energy Park

Landscape & Cultural Park

Intergrated with surrounding green corriders and landscape.

Train

Tram

Car Route

Pedestrain & Cycle Route

Car Parking

Semi-public space

Aerial View

Elevation

Semi-public space provides shelter for social interaction under unpleasant climate situation and also transitions passengers from tram station to train station and from tram or train station to the underpass. A children’s play park will be located between the station and the leisure centre, with energy generating equipment. Users will be told with visual lead audio clues how much power they are producing at any given time while performing various movements on the equipment. The west public space will be a combination of landscape parkland and sculpture installations by local artists and engineers especially for the people to walk around when they have 10 or 20 minutes waiting for train or tram. The Sculpture Park is also a multifunctional space, not only to entertain commuters, but also provide recreation place for families, users of the leisure centre and visitors.

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SOCIAL STREETSCAPES

12 13 SOCIAL STREETSCAPES City Centre Pedestrain Zone Planning and Design

Yunnan Province, China Kunming, Yunnan Province City Centre, Kunming

The site is dominated by residential property, others are for office and retail. As located in city centre and with scattering list buildings, the site does have an opportunity to redevelopment as a place for diverse social and economic activities. Backing up with the long history be touched with citizens, there are also familiar street names which are continued to use until now. For instance, The name of Nanqiang Street shows the hope of development of Yunnan Province, the name of Baoshan Street delivers the virtue of traditional Chinese.

Site Context

SOCIAL STREETSCAPES - City Centre Pedestrain Zone

Yunnan is a province of the People’s Republic of China, located in the far southwest of the country. It spans approximately 394,000 square kilometres (152,000 sq mi) and has a population of 45.7 million (2009). The capital of the province is Kunming, formerly also known as Yunnan. The province borders Vietnam, Laos and Burma.

The topology of the province is mountainous. In some areas, the altitude can vary from the mountain peaks to river valleys as much as 3000 metres (9,800 ft). The diverse topology, various altitude and low latitude cause the rich natural resources. Of the approximately 30,000 species of higher plants in China, Yunnan has perhaps 17,000 or more. Yunnan’s reserves of aluminium, lead, zinc and tin are the largest in China, and there are also major reserves of copper and nickel.

The Han Empire first recorded diplomatic relations with the province at the end of the 2nd century BCE. The Mongols conquered the region in the 13th century, with local control exercised by warlords until the 1930s. As with other parts of China’s southwest, Japanese occupation in the north during World War II forced a migration of majority Han people into the region. Ethnic minorities in Yunnan account for about 34 percent of its total population. Major ethnic groups include Yi, Bai, Hani, Zhuang, Dai and Miao.

Kumming is a prefecture-level city and the political, economic, communications and cultural centre of the province as well as the seat of the provincial government. Kunming is also called the Spring city due to its weather. The city is home to several universities, museums, galleries and other important economic, cultural, and educational institutions. The headquarters of many of Yunnan’s large businesses are in Kunming.

Located in the middle of the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau, Kunming is located at an altitude of 1,900 metres (6,234 feet) above sea level and at a latitude just north of the Tropic of Cancer. It covers an area of 21,473 square kilometres (8,291 sq mi) and its urban area covers 2,622 square kilometres (1,012 sq mi). Kunming has as of 2014 a population of 6,626,000 with an urban population of 4,575,000, and is located at the northern edge of the large Lake Dian, surrounded by temples and lake-and-limestone hill landscapes.

Kunming consists of an old, previously walled city, a modern commercial district, residential and university areas. Its economic importance derives from its geographical position. Positioned near the border with Southeastern Asian countries, serving as a transportation hub in Southwest China, linking by rail to Vietnam and by road to Burma and Laos. This positioning also makes it an important trade center in this region of the nation. The city has continued to develop rapidly under China’s modernization efforts. Kunming’s streets have widened while office buildings and housing projects develop at a fast pace. Kunming has been designated a special tourism center and as such sports a proliferation of high-rises and luxury hotels.

Kunming consists of an old, previously walled city, a modern commercial district, residential and university areas. The city has an astronomical observatory, and its institutions of higher learning include Yunnan University, Yunnan Normal University and a medical college.

1. YMCA 2. Nanping Movie Theater 3. Feihu Bubling 4. Old Shopping Street 5. Jinbi Garden

The History Heritage In The Site

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Design Concepts

Connect the list buildings by creating an axis for them.

Add a ribbon pattern green space (red part), also run through the whole site and end next to the Panlong Canal.

The red dots are the most active places now, the planning is to direct people to use the spaces inside the site due to mixed uses and high quality design.

Maintain the vibrant social integrations. The site is a popular destination for residents to shop, work, relax and visit. At the same time, create more pleasant places for activities.

Creative IndustryRetailOfficeSOHO LeisureConservation AreaLand Uses

Towers1 - 3 Floors10 -12 Floors4 - 6 Floors7 - 9 Floors

Density

Bite Block 1Pedestrian AreaBite block 2Visual and Activity Centre

Planning Structure Figure-ground Diagram

Main Green SpacesCentre NodeSecondary Green SpacesNodeRoad Green SpacesGreen Spaces

PedestrianTraditional Street Conservation AreaMain Road in the SitePrimary Road in the CityTraffic Free RoadMovement and Street Paths


Public Spaces Design

Modern Street & Traditional Street

Soft Surfaces

Sense of Enclosure

Others

Complex

List Building

Retail

Feihu Building

Nanping Movie TheatreSOHO

Craft Market

Snack Bars

Hotel

YMCA

Clubs and Bars

Cinema

Restaurant

Studios for Artists & Designers

Gallery

Offices

Teahouse z Offices

Site Plan


Aerial View

1. Entrance Square2. Studio for Artists and Designers

3. YMAC Square4. Street

5. Nanping Movie Theatre6. Corridor

Perspective View

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ACTIVE HERITAGE

22 23 ACTIVE HERITAGE . Water Sensitive Neighbourhood Regeneration - Yudai River

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2 3Kunming, Yunnan Province, China

National Background - China’s Urban System

National Background - Yunnan City Group Regional Background - Development of the North-south Axis Area

International Background - CHINA-ASEAN Free Trade Area International Background - The Greater Mekong Subregion and The China’s Bridgehead Strategy

The Location of the Site in Kunming The Location of the Site in City Centre of Kunming

Regional Background

Yunnan City Group (7)

Kunming will play an extremely important “leading“ role. Zoning range Kunming, Yuxi, Qujing, Chuxiong four administrative body jointly set up in Yunnan City Group, which is located in Yunnan “heart” part. Yunnan city group is located in the resource-rich region, it is the most important industrial areas in Yunnan Province.

Development of the North-south Axis Area (8)

Development of the North-south Axis Area is located in Kunming planned in Kunming Masterplan Revision in 2008. The main Airport Economic Zone northeast of the city, south of Songming, Chenggong Jincheng and Kunyang towns are located in the main axis of development of urban space expansion.

International Background

CHINA-ASEAN Free Trade Area (4)

The ASEAN–China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) is a free trade area among the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the People’s Republic of China. It is the biggest free trade area among developing countries. Yunnan Province has great opportunities due to the location.

The Greater Mekong Subregion (5)

The Greater Mekong Subregion is an international region of the Mekong River basin in Southeast Asia. The region is home to more than 300 million people and was designated with the launch of a development project formed in 1992 by the Asian Development Bank, that brought together the six states of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Yunnan Province, China.

National Background

Chinese Bridgehead Strategy (5)

Yunnan Province is a “bridgehead” strategy which can become an important fulcrum in China’s Indian Ocean strategy by analyzing the importance as well as the plight reality of Indian Ocean. The strategy of building Yunnan as a bridgehead not only provides a breakthrough for the implementation of the strategy in the Indian Ocean, but also its geographical advantage of land access can be brought into full play, thus solving the problems of the seaports leading to Indian Ocean.

China’s Urban System - Two Vertical Three Horizontal Lines (6)

China’s Urban Strategy System contains two vertical lines that refer two important transport corridors in China and three horizontal lines that are significant axis of cities. Kunming will have convenient land transportation around the country.

ACTIVE HERITAGE Water Sensitive Neighbourhood Regeneration - Yudai River

Russia

Central Asia

Europe

South Asia

Africa

Kunming

Yunnan City Group

ChuxiongYuxi

Qujing

Songming

Airport Economic ZoneHigh-tech Zone

Anning

Kunming

Chenggong

Jingcheng

Kunyang

Southeast Asia

Myanmar

Yunnan

Thailand

Hohhot

Harbin

Shenyang

Beijing

Zhengzhou

Dalian

Qingdao

Shanghai

Shenzhen

Haikou

Nanning

Kunming

Xi’an

ChengduChongqing

Wuhan

Urumchi

Rangoon

Bangkok

Haiphong

Kunming

Cambodia

Laos

Vietnam

KunmingMiddle East


Good CommonBad

Higher than 12 Floors9-12 Floors7-9 Floors4-7 Floors1-3 Floors

Low (Plot Ratio 0-1.5)Common (Plot Ratio 1.5-3)High (Plot Ratio > 3)

Ancient TreesGardenAttached Green Spaces

SquareLibraryCar ParkingSchoolHealth Centre

Main RoadSecondary RoadTertiary RoadAlleyBus Stop

High (Higher than 60%)Middle (40%-60%)Low (20%-40%)

Masonry StructurePost and Panel StructureBrick-concrete StructureReinforced Concrete StructureFrame Structure

16 Thousand12-14 Thousand 11-13 Thousand10-11 Thousand9-10 Thousand8-9 Thousand7.5-8 Thousand

Quality of Construction

Development Intensity

Green Spaces Infrastructure Transport System

Density Land Value (RMB Per Square Meter) Land Use Pattern

Building Height Building Structure Figure-ground Diagram

Retail (24%)Military land (21%)Second-class Residential Land (18%)Third-class Residential Land (14%)Medical Use (9%)Education (6%)Historic Reservation (2%)Office (4%)Green Spaces (4%)

Site Context

The quality of the buildings in the site is largely common, often with reinforced concrete structure. Lower height buildings dominate the site, so the density is quite high. The planning will focus on refurbishing the old and valuable architecture and demolishing the bad quality buildings to offer more open spaces. Also, the masterplan will increase the density for more uses and provide more public spaces.

There are reasonable number of schools and health centers, but lack of car parking spaces, libraries, public toilets and waste interchange. The planning will resolve the problems above.

The road system in the site is good but need more effort on the connection of alleys.

According to the transaction records, the land and property value of the site is higher when after regeneration. Hence, the development will increase the land and property value generally.


Design Concepts

The social life of cities, in particular the ordinary, the small-scale and mundane aspects of urban life, are commonly overlooked as a source of insight and inspiration for city planners.

The life is relaxed and far less stressful in Kunming. The background of life is not only the culture, but the heritage that is a part of people’s life as well.

Looking at the everyday life of the city streets and neighborhoods provides a perspective on cities, social change and the radical variety of urban life, that is dramatically different to thinking about the city as an intelligent network or transport system with predefined ideas about how people will behave.

Studying a high street, a neighborhood park, or a local café can reveal much about the health and resilience of the site. The ancient buildings and surrounding environment offer pleasant spaces for social life.

The aim of the planning and design is to enhance the features of heritage buildings and the surrounding environment to offer a better quality of space to live, work, relax and visit.

The masterplan focus on the regeneration of list buildings and the environment, as well as the Yudai River and the banks.

Life In The Site

List Buildings

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Design Concepts

Active Heritage1 Connection Enlarge the open space surround the list buildings. Connect them and form two axes.2 Organize the visual connection between the adjacent list buildings. 3 Manage and guide the new development in the historic area.4 Enlarge the influence of the historic area by the new development.

Revival Ancient Streets1 Before and after.Get through the closes with other alleys.2 Create connected and safe pedestrian, also act as spaces for social interactions.3 Design the roads with system to balance the transport volum (add roads from east to west).4 Create more open spaces along streets.

Design for People1 Organize the scattered residential quarters into four residential areas and allocate green spaces for each residential area.2 Create two main and one secondary green belts to benefit both socially and environmentally. 3 Create well connected open spaces to improve the quality of life.4 Organize the sequence of center axis to create space aesthetically. 5 Diverse the use of retail use.

List Buildings And Historical Area

Before Alleys Patterns

Residential Areas And Green Spaces Green Corridors Public Spaces Node Space Sequence Diverse Uses

After Alleys Patterns Pedestrian Areas And Entrances New Road System Public Spaces Along The Streets

Connect Them And Form Two Axes Martial Design For New Development Development Of Historical Area Visual Planning

Stone White WallsModern Roof

Pot Window

Radiation Area Historical AreaMain AxisSpread Corridors

Main RoadSecondary RoadTertiary RoadOld AlleyNew Alley

Restaurants Handicraft Manufacture Creative Industry Retail Retail Street Culture And Education


Main Node For LandscapeSecondary Node For LandscapeRetail Development AxisMain Active Heritage AxisSecondary Active Heritage AxisLandscape BeltRetail and Office UseResidential Use

Retail Residential UsePublic InfrastructureGreen Spaces Office And Residential UseMilitary Land

Car ParkingUnderground ParkingMain Street Parking Secondary Street Parking

Contemporary BuildingNew Building Antique BuildingAncient Building

Main Node For LandscapeSecondary Node For LandscapePedestrianMain Landscape AxisSecondary Landscape Axis

Main RoadSecond RoadAlley

SquarePublic SpaceWaterfront Landscape

Planning Structure

a Integrated Purification

c Eco Purification

d Nutrient Purification

e Stable Quality Adjustment

b Purification Of Pathogens

Water Purification Program

The Regeneration Of Yundai River Waterfront

The Space Sequence Of Centre

Land Use Pattern

Static Traffic Planning

Architecture Conservation And Regeneration

Landscape Structure

Transport System

Open Space

Figure-ground Diagram

This part is about the dynamic area of the site where land and water meet – the urban waterfront. The waterfront is designed as a magnet area in this regeneration program. It will contribute to restore the center of city to economic and social health. The regenerate and extend of waterfront undertake as one of the more visible manifestations of a growing appreciation for urban values.

At once calm and dynamic, profoundly symbolic in religion and literature, water evokes primeval emotions in all of us. In this waterfront planning and design, the near city center location advantage, the fully public accessibility, the environmental issues such as water purification, the use mixes, the design issues such as water views and the respect to history, the education or interpretation and the public spaces are all carefully considered which can be reflected in the waterfront design.

The site center also as the city center offers various spaces for activities. Also, they also form and integrate with sequence.

1 The Moment Square2 Belt Square3 The Pedestrian Street 4 Space For Festival 5 Camellia Square6 Chess Square7 Outdoors Tea house 8 Latten Street9 Bronze Ware Exhibition Space10 Leisure Square


1 First People’s Hospital Of Yunnan Province2 Ma House3 Chongde Mosque4 Yunnan Drama Arts Research Center5 Wuhua District Library6 West Temple 7 Jade Museum8 Kunming Third Nursery9 Kunming Children’s Hospital10 Shopping Mall11 Xishan District High School12 Kunming First People’s Hospital of the Ministry of Child And Woman13 Red Cross First People’s Hospital in Kunming14 East Temple15 The Third Middle School

Economic And Technical IndicatorsPlanning Area Building Area Total Floor Area Building Density Commercial Area Residential Area Infrastructure Road And Square Area Green Space Plot Ratio Ration Of Green Space

112 ha74.3 ha235.2 ha22.7%17.5 ha16.9 ha7.1 ha15.5 ha8.3 ha2.130.7% Site Plan

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WATERFRONT & NEW LIFE

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The site, known as Marine Gardens, occupies a historic and culturally significant position not only within Edinburgh but the wider Scottish context. At present the area shows little of this significance, but rather is it inhabited by ‘big box’ industrial buildings which bare no relation to it’s past. Our client, Edinburgh City Council has recognised the need to reinvigorate this area as part of the wider ‘Edinburgh Boardwalk’ project and as such the following Masterplan has composed to redesign the area wile working in conjunction with the aims set out in City of Edinburgh Council’s (2006) “From the Almond to the Esk: a strategy for the Edinburgh Boardwalk”, and Promenade Design Principles (source). At the heart of the brief lay the following objectives:

-Strengthening connections between the city and the sea.

-Assisting the revitalisation and regeneration of waterfront areas of the city.

-The creation of new spaces and leisure.

-The promenade as a destination for recreation.

-The promenade as a movement corridor, creating links and other footpaths and cycleway networks.

-The promenade and its new nodes as the focus of activities.

-Providing an additional feature adding to the city’s identity as a major tourist attraction.

The Vision Of The Site Client Brief

38 39 WATERFRONT & NEW LIFE Marine Gardens Masterplan

WATERFRONT & NEW LIFE - Marine Gardens Masterplan

Vision Statement and Rationale

BoxesPier & Water ParkPromenade Main RoadMinor Road & PedestrianMain Pubic SpacesSports CentreTransport HubLandmarks

‘Marine Gardens has the potential to become a locus for Edinburgh’s new vibrant and rejuvenated waterfront. As such our vision is to create an environment in which good urban design, entrepreneurial spirit, community focus and environmental concerns are brought together to maximise the potential of this site and it’s unique natural assets. In order to achieve this, the following goals have been set:

-Maximisation of existing waterfront and natural assets. -Pedestrian focused design, minimising the need for car use.-Utilization of ‘mixed use’ design to create a viable and vibrant environment.-To create a focal point for culture and recreation in Edinburgh.

Location Microclimate

The Seafield Site is situated to the North East of Edinburgh city centre between Leith and Portobello. The site is around 27.7 hectares in size and is linear in nature running parallel along and on the North Sea coastline. Currently the site is surrounded by primarily residential to the South and West and a beach and sea to the East. Also to the East lies Craigentinny Golf Course around 10 meters from the boundary to the site. Directly to the North side of the site there is a recycling centre and further past there sits a mixture of retail units and residential. There is a disused railway running length ways just inside the Western boundary to the site.

The prevailing wind in Scotland is from the South-West and the second most common comes in off the North Sea from a North Easterly direction. This means the site must be designed with building and open space orientation in mind. Hence, any primary areas or avenues must be designed with wind in mind in order to reduce the harmful effects of wind throughout the site.

Figure in the right highlights the sun paths in summer and winter and how they relate to the site. This gives an idea of how the buildings and spaces will need to be positioned in order to maximize sunlight to the development.

Site Location in the Map of the Firth of Forth

Site Location in the Map of Edinburgh

Primary Route

A road

B road

Green Spaces

Residential Uses

Industrial Uses

SiteSite Condition

S.W.O.T Analysis

StrengthExisting area of natural beauty, incorporating unique coastline and beach.Strong connectivity to the city centre and wider Edinburgh through existing road network Site currently has a diverse and engaged user base.Site has natural contour to help shape development.Current uses can be relocated elsewhere in the city with ease Strong community feel and cultural identity in surrounding areas.

WeaknesseSite split boy main road with heavy traffic affecting permeability and circulation around the site.Limited direct access from surrounding communities to site Current uses significantly limit access to promenade and seafront Railway is currently under utilised.Limited mix use throughout current site (dominated by the industrial sector) Site is currently very car centric thus reducing appeal for pedestrian users.

OpportunitieTo remove as many cars as possible to the site and prioritise pedestrians.To create a strong identity focused around the waterfront of both regional and national significance To create a mix use development bringing diverse employment and land uses to the site.To create a residential development that focuses on community inclusion To create a vibrant connection completing the Edinburgh.

ThreatClose proximity to sewage plant may limit development potential in immediate surroundings.Planning limitations may hinder innovation Strong community feel may resist change.Weather and environmental factors could affect designs and materials used.Lack of comparable data and recent development in the area may make appraisal challenging Potential contamination of land from existing uses.Topographical challenges to development may limit potential for cohesive design.

Site boundaryPrimary roadNature ReserveExisting FlatsRail WayRetailIndustrail UsesDog and Cat HomeCar WarhousesLotian Bus Depot

Existing Uses

Wind Finder

Sun Path


Policy Del 4 Edinburgh WaterfrontThe scale of the site represents an opportunity for mixed use, sustainable development with provision of various facilities such as: housing, offices, shops, water sports and a museum etc.

Policy Des 1 Design Quality and ContextThe proposed development introduces a unique design with an emphasis on people’s needs creating a sense of place with distinguished characteristics and the promotion of the area as a day/night destination.

Policy des 4 – Impact On SettingProposed development would not have any negative impact on the sky line view and the overall scale of the buildings will integrate with the existing surroundings, maximizing daylight to the site.

Policy Des 6 – Sustainable BuildingsProposed designs have incorporate SUD’S which also comply with policy RS6 Water and Drainage; development support and encourage use of sustainable transport such as cycle, walking and use of public transport.

Policy Des 7 – Layout DesignThe master plan features well-integrated public space, footpaths and greenspace. The active frontage in the proposed development ensures easy access to the public facilities and the main focal points make a more pleasant and safe place to be in.

Policy Des 8 –Public Realm and Landscape DesignThe master plan provides a high quality of greenspace and public realm, including development of promenade and Marine Boulevard with already integrated maintenance scheme.

Policy Des 10 – Waterside DevelopmentThe master plan coordinates well with the policy as it does provide not only an attractive and active frontage to the coast but also introduces leisure amenities for public use. This plan will enhance quality of the site and landscape use.

Policy Env 20 – Open Space in New DevelopmentThe master plan provides a large amount of open space which is easily accessible for the public. The proposed plan also provides improvement to the green network.

Policy Env 21 – Flood ProtectionProposed plan does not increase risk of flood nor does increase surface water. Well designed green infrastructure will serve as a sustainable drainage which will also protects the underground car park and tunnel.

Policy Emp 1 – Office DevelopmentAs part of mixed use development the master plan will build a high quality office space that would contribute to the economic viability of the site and create employment opportunities.

Policy Emp 10 – Hotel developmentThe hotel will increase economic growth, employment opportunities and as a part of mixed use scheme improve attractiveness of the site. The public transport from and to the city centre, watersport activities and landscape will create sufficient tourism destination.

Policy Tra 9 – New and Existing RoadsThe proposed underground tunnel mitigates for the developments impact upon car travel and mobility through the site.

Planning Policy Context Portobello/Seafield Community Site History

In relation to development of this scale, there are number of policies in Edinburgh’s Local Development Plan that have to be taken into consideration when designing the new Marine Gardens, the following is an extensive but not exhaustive list of policies which must be considered.

The area of Portobello is loved and protected by its community. At present this sense of community and belonging does not extend to the Marine Gardens site. Located around the site are various community initiatives and assets such as the ‘breadshare’ bakery. This kind of activity is only a glimpse of the community presence of the area. Walking from the site through Portobello there are multiple independent stores ranging from a butchers to a barber shop. In addition to this there are very few chain stores in the high street adding to its sense of identity and individuality.

The strong sense of public involvement in the area has also led to a vocal and active residents association. The members of which take an active and keen interest in developments both in and surrounding Portobello. As such the input of local residents is likely to be forthcoming, providing valuable local knowledge which can be employed throughout any design.

Marine Gardens and the wider Portobello Beach area have enjoyed a rich history as Scotland’s premier seaside resort. Buoyed by the advent of low cost public transport and existence of the tram next work, Portobello beach attracted thousands of visitors not only from Scotland but also from the wider United Kingdom. Boasting a fine sand beach, the now defunct funfair, and a host of other entertainments, Portobello beach was a destination for many in the 19th century. While still very popular with locals and those taking day trips, the area’s popularity with holidaymakers saw a decline as package holidays to international destinations became available to the wider population.

The original Marine Gardens started life as a tourist attraction, opening in 1909 and attracted an incredible three quarters of a million visitors in its first year. Shutting due to the advent of WW1, many of the original buildings were demolished and the site converted into a military barracks. Re-opening in a much-diminished state at the end of WW1, Marine Gardens was once again closed and used as a military facility during WW2. Never reopening as an attraction to this day. The sites current history stems from the construction of the Marine Garage Buss depot, around which many large car show rooms and ‘big-box’ industrial buildings have been built. At present the site bares no relationship to its once proud past beyond its fine sand beach and views out to the forth.

Portobello Community

Previous Use

Popular Destination


Sports Centre

Main Street

Garden

Landmark

Square

Lighthouse

Auditorium

Playground

Trapezoid Street

Playground

Masterplan

Developement Layout


Land Uses Green Spaces Movement and Street Paths

Retail (Mix)

Boxes

Hotel

Offices (Mix museums)

Build to Rent

Watersports Centre

Build to Sell

Transport Hub

Student Accommodation

Health Centre

To ensure that Marine Gardens is vibrant and active throughout the day, night and year, the site has been designed to maximize mixed-use development. This will ensure that the site will be used for leisure and working as well as living by a variety of people from young to old, locals and tourists. Through creating a truly mixed and integrated development, the residents of surrounding neighborhoods such as Portobello will also benefit from the new opportunities created in Marine Gardens. In this sense Marine Gardens will connect to Portobello and other surrounding areas. The mix of uses will include; residential, retail, office, museum, health center, leisure activities, open and greens paces, a hotel and student accommodation. The incorporation of mixed-use development has helped to create a balanced and sustainable site, relating to the initial aims of the design.

The Edinburgh Local Development Plan emphasizes that successful places create not only social and economic benefits but also to create environmental and sustainable places for people to live in. As such Marine Gardens has been designed to maximize open space and biodversity.Green spaces can be found throughout the site, the majority being connected by the Marine Boulevard. Both public and private space has been incorporated in order to provide a balanced mix and ensure all users of the area have access to high quality open space. Open spaces will also incorporate street furniture and public amenities to encourage their use. In terms of maintenance, factoring services will be sought for private areas and also used alongside community involvement for the public spaces.

The light blue primary road outlines the Marine Boulevard, this pathway is pedestrianized and cycle friendly, the aim of making this main route pedestrianized is to encourage people to actively travel. The brown routes highlight the permeability of the site, the design has continued the theme of Portobello which has multiple access roads from the high street to the beach. Through enhancing the permeability of the site the users have more options and there is opportunity for different character creation.

Boulevard

Semi- private Green Spaces

Public Green Spaces

Nature Reserve

Primary Road

Promenade

Pedestrian

Bus stop


Tunnel

Underground Car Parking

Bust Stop

1 floor

2 floors

3 floors

4 floors

5 floors

6 floors

Phase 1

Phase 2

Phase 3

Underground Density Phasing

The Marine Tunnel facilitates the Underground movement around the Marine Gardens site. As shown on the map opposite the tunnel extends to the full length of the site, allowing access to underground car parking. A more detailed explanation of the Marine Tunnel and the underground parking is available later in the document under the design guidance section.

The density and massing of the site has been deisgned to focus the higher density at the center of the site with building profiles reducing as distance increases from the center. This was intened to focus activity at the center of the site, adjancent to the transport hub and the bulk of the office and leisure buildings, thus creating a clear focal point for the site.

The phasing of Marine Gardens has been scheduled with both the economic viability of the development and the possible impact on surrounding areas in mind.Phase 1 – Consists of the Underground Tunnel, National Watersports Center and the core of the site which is dominated by Private Rented Sector development. The reasoning behind this decision is to put all major infrastructure in place while also generating revenue to help fund the construction of the remaining areas. Phase 2 – Consists of residential, mixed-use and leisure developments.Phase 3 – Consists of residential and mixed-use developments.

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