Characteristics of the area
Craigmillar is a deprived housing estate within Edinburgh. First developed in 1929, it was populated by people from the Cowgate area of Edinburgh considered, then, to be a deprived part of the city centre. The area grew in population and housing because it was close to employment in local mines and 7 breweries.
In the 1960’s further housing was built in the Greendykes area. With the loss of the mines and the closure of the breweries during the late 1960s and the 1970s, the area became a high level unemployment ‘black spot’. Other social problems followed unemployment: drugs misuse, rise in crime and poor education.
The environment suffered, houses were not properly cared for and the housing policies from the council were such, that families considered to be problem families from all parts of the city were re-located within the area. For this reason Craigmillar became an area of deprivation. It is now considered to be the fourth most deprived area in Scotland according to Scottish Government statistics (4th out of 1222 areas).

Problems
The main problems deriving from this deprivation have been social and economic, both interlinked. Furthermore, Craigmillar is disconnected geographically from the rest of the vibrant and culturally motivated city of Edinburgh. It is bordered by a landmark hill, Arthur’s Seat, resulting in poor access and transport links to the rest of Edinburgh. It is also a ‘monotenure’ community, mainly populated by people in social housing. There is historically
very little private housing in the area.
The economic problems became apparent in poor educational aspiration and attainment, indifference to work, and general social malaise derived from not having work. The average income per household is £10,500 per annum, compared to the Scottish and Edinburgh averages of £20,000 and £30,000per annum.

Potentials
Edinburgh is a buoyant city. There is a need for affordable houses for key workers in the city, yet there is very little space for development. Craigmillar offers space to deliver new housing which is necessary for key workers, and by doing so potentially generates a more socially viable and economically mixed community. It will increase the cultural and social activity of
Edinburgh as a whole.
The potential of Craigmillar to become a quality place in which to live and work has been enhanced by the relocation of the main city hospital nearby and the proposed development of a bio-tech park (these combined will produce 12,000 jobs).
There has also been the development of large retail parks on the periphery of Craigmillar. The area is more easily accessible from the city bypass road than from the city centre itself. As a place to live it is only three miles from the city centre - where there is a renowned social and cultural vibrancy.
More importantly the people of Craigmillar enjoy this opportunity to realise the potential for developing community once again with a proper social mix.


Vision, Chances of development, drivers for change
The main driver for change in the area is the fact that something has to be done: it has become so badly distressed. It is incumbent upon the local authority to alleviate the problems of the community and tackle the housing and economic problems of the area. The opportunity at this stage could not be greater. The new hospital has been built close by, and key workers need to be housed providing a ready-made market for a housing led development. An influx of new workers will address the need to create a social and economic community which is economically and socially mixed and which therefore will be much more sustainable.
The type of housing (public and private), with new quality education provision, green space, leisure and retail provision, lends itself to a great opportunity. Quality will be the main driver for change to make it work.

Projects
The first objective has been realised with the formation of the Craigmillar Joint Venture Company. (JVC) The JVC company, jointly owned by the local authority (The City of Edinburgh Council) and its property developer (EDI Group Scotland), has been set up specifically to deliver the regeneration programme.
The next objective is to refine the master plan for the area, which has now been called the Urban Design Framework and that is currently ongoing. This has been complemented by research incorporating representatives from various stakeholders including the Council, EDI Group and the local community. This process of engaging with all the stakeholders in everyway including the branding and marketing of the company and products i.e. the houses,
commercial units etc, will continue thought the life of the project.
The JVC has also developed our monitoring and evaluation framework and a baseline study to ensure it can properly measure its success against the development as it happens. The programme is intended to last for 15 years; the objectives are becoming quite clear and distinct.
They are:
• 3,600 houses,
• 4 new schools,
• 300,000 square feet of office and retail and leisure space,
• new informal public park and formal open spaces
• new library
• new complementary leisure and sports provisions
• new transport provisions including a tram line , bus and rail links
• proper facilities for young people
• 1500 new job opportunities, 100 apprenticeships
• new housing management and environmental management structure.
These are the hard outcomes of projects, the softer outcomes will reflect the improvement in the social and economic life of the area, education and entertainment, employment possibilities, lifelong learning opportunities, career paths, and quality of life.
LUDA Description of Case Studies
Contract Nr. EVK4 – CT 2002 - 00081 11