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Jacobs appointed to lead Edinburgh city centre transformation

Jacobs has been awarded a contract by the City of Edinburgh Council to help develop the strategy, delivery plan and detailed business case for the transformation of Edinburgh city centre. The City of Edinburgh Transformation Programme is a multi-million-pound investment to improve community, economic and cultural life in the city.

Jacobs’ partners for the project include Big Partnership, Burohappold Engineering, City Mart, Moffatt Centre at the Glasgow Caledonian University, Open, Simetrica, Space Syntax, Turley Heritage and WYG.

Jacobs, supported by its partners, will provide the delivery plan for the historic overhaul of the Scottish capital’s streets, public spaces and amenities to ensure it is future-proofed for generations to come. This will include strategies to make the city more accessible for residents, visitors and business, creating better connectivity with sustainable, smart and cleaner transport options, enhancing civic centres, and improving air quality. 

“Edinburgh is one of the world’s most archetypal cities and this programme enables Jacobs to play a role in helping the council make the city the best place to live, work and invest,” said Jacobs buildings and infrastructure Europe senior vice president and general manager Donald Morrison. “Our understanding of the city through previous iconic projects, global projects expertise and ability to challenge different ways of thinking will enable us to co-create a plan that ensures a fairer, healthier and thriving capital city fit for the future,” said Morrison.

City of Edinburgh Council transport and environment convener, Lesley Macinnes, said: “This is a deeply ambitious and potentially game-changing opportunity to transform the city centre of one of Europe’s leading cities, for the benefit of generations to come. As we move forward with the consultation on how a future Edinburgh should look, we’re pleased to be working with Jacobs, whose previous projects demonstrate the ability to deliver forward-thinking solutions.”  

Jacobs employs over 1,100 staff in Scotland and has played a leading role in delivering some of the largest infrastructure programmes in Scotland including the Queensferry Crossing, which links Edinburgh and Fife and the A9 Improvements Program. 

Jacobs was selected as the preferred bidder for the Edinburgh project after a tender process under the Scotland Excel Framework. The framework covers the delivery of social care, construction, roads, transport, environment, corporate, education and ICT services, and awards contracts designed to encourage innovation, facilitate policy, support local economies and generate social value for communities.

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