April 19 2021

Urbanist Daisy Narayanan has been charged with fusing the city of Edinburgh's placemaking and transport strategy as part of efforts to take the city down the road towards carbon neutrality by 2030.

An architect and urban designer with experience working across the UK and Asia Narayanan is currently director of urbanism at Sustrans as well as a member of the Edinburgh Climate Commission and the Climate Assembly Evidence Group.

Narayanan said: "This is a wonderful role that brings together various strands of what make great places. I’m passionate about working with people to shape how their streets and places should look, and to learn from and build on the work done to date in Edinburgh.

"I am under no illusions that this will be an easy job, but I am excited by the challenge.

"When I came here in 2004 as a student, I never dreamed that I would one day have the privilege to work with people in making this beautiful city even more wonderful. I am determined to ensure that everyone living here gets to benefit from the city’s development as a greener, healthier place – and that these benefits extend to the outer edges of the city."

As senior manager for mobility and placemaking, Narayanan will be tasked with overseeing the City Mobility Plan for introducing carbon-neutral transport options as well as the 20-minute neighbourhood programme.

Narayanan was previously seconded to the council in 2018 and 2019 to lead Edinburgh's ten-year city centre transformation plan, during which she championed the introduction of a monthly car-free event in the Old Town.

4 Comments

#1 Posted by Robert on 19 Apr 2021 at 13:17 PM

This will be a major challenge, balancing the environmental and health requirements of the future with the mobility benefits young families, older folk and people with limited mobility obtain from car ownership. Coupled with rapidly increasing tourism and student numbers, the city’s residents will face significant changes over the next 10 years.

#2 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 19 Apr 2021 at 15:38 PM

Electric vehicles and CoViD19 are going to make things a bit tricky.

Plus electric bikes / scooters / uni-boards if it didn't rain so much.

#3 Posted by hey ho on 19 Apr 2021 at 16:29 PM

Weather isn't as big a determining factor in getting people out of cars and into active forms of travel as it's often made out to be. For example, the weather in NL is generally windy/rainy too. But people cycle there because it's made easy, safe and convenient.
I've seen a definite increase in people using active travel in Glasgow, in all weathers, thanks to the new cycle lanes that have been installed. It's been great to see and something that Edinburgh desperately needs. Good luck to Daisy, I'm sure given her experience we have some exciting developments to look forward to in the capital.

#4 Posted by The Bairn on 19 Apr 2021 at 22:31 PM

Good luck with all that - you will need plenty!!
Maybe First Minister Sturgeon will throw copious amounts of money your way after the election.
Weather in Scotland is a major influence on peoples reluctance or not to engage with outdoor activities especially cycling to work.
Unless your name is sir Chris Hoy a 20 minute maximum cycle to work isn't achievable, practicable or desirable.
Public transport journeys are also longer.
How many people live near there places of work i.e. professional offices?
Where does Ms Narayanan live and which mode of transport does she choose to travel to work?
Home working is only temporary at present.

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