REAL estate agency Cushman & Wakefield has unveiled a new report imagining Edinburgh in the year 2040 alongside the future of five other UK cities.
MyCity uncovers the trends shaping the future of Edinburgh, London, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester and Leeds, and highlights a series of calls to action for investors, developers, occupiers and local authorities to maximise the success of each city.
Key predictions for Edinburgh include:
- Age-appropriate housing will be needed to support a growing and ageing population
- The 20-minute neighbourhood agenda will be rolled out
- St James Quarter will continue to enhance the retail and leisure pull of the city
- The city will achieve its 2030 net zero ambition
- Targeted housing interventions will help to deliver affordable and accessible housing
- New hybrid living and working dynamics will ensure the city will thrive as a desirable location for those with employment or residential status elsewhere
- Edinburgh will live up to its name as the UK’s most AI-ready city outside of London
- The tram system will extend out to Granton Waterfront and Newcraighall
- Life sciences and tech sectors will continue to flourish
- Tourism will sustain and new experiential attractions will bring people from around the world
Murray Strang, managing partner, Scotland, Cushman & Wakefield, said, “While our cities are facing fundamental challenges, we believe many opportunities are also opening up if we can harness a proactive collaborate approach to finding equitable solutions to Edinburgh’s future requirements. We need to be working with our world leading education institutions to harness research and tech to address key issues such as housing, the increase in population, which is expected to rise by 10% by 2040, and how we manage people living and working longer.
“Real estate has to ensure it adapts to a changing demographic. Hopefully, MyCity will be viewed as a conversation starter and provide a focus on how we can begin to reimagine a revitalised Edinburgh, and other cities, now for the benefit of future generations beyond 2040.”
