A consultation has been launched in Edinburgh aimed at ensuring the capital is designed to make residents – in particular women and girls – feel safe in public spaces.
The consultation has been described as being ‘vital’ by the City of Edinburgh Council, with the responses set to help shape and develop the ‘whole of the Edinburgh area’ – from the design of roads and pathways, to the layout of parks and shopping areas, and more.
Findings from the consultation will be used to inform a report and recommendations to the council later this year, with it being combined with data from Police Scotland. The local authority said the overall findings will help to inform future place-making and development plans to ensure the city is safer for all.
Councillor Mandy Watt, depute leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said, “We recognise that some women and girls do not feel safe in public places. We are working to identify what makes particular areas and places feel safe or unsafe and what city partners can do to improve this.
“Women consider personal safety constantly in their everyday lives, from meeting and socialising with friends, to travelling on public transport and walking home. Recent murders of women in public spaces sparked a national conversation about how women feel unsafe and alter their behaviours to keep safe and the partnership is committed to addressing this in the capital.
“Edinburgh prides itself on being an inclusive, diverse, and welcoming city but there is no denying that like other cities in the UK more can be done to make our residents feel safe. This consultation is vital with responses helping to inform the future of how we develop and improve public spaces across the whole of the Edinburgh area, from the design of roads and pathways to the layout of parks and shopping areas and more.
“We have a responsibility to do everything in our power to make residents feel safe in their city. I would encourage everyone to take part in the consultation so that their feedback is at the heart of developing Edinburgh.”
