Leith Bridge & the Edinburgh High Line is a speculative regeneration proposal that reimagines disused railway infrastructure as a new public landscape.
The project explores how former tracks of the Caledonian Railway’s Leith New Lines could become an elevated walking and cycling route connecting East Edinburgh to Pilrig Park and the west of the city.
The proposal combines sustainable mobility, urban ecology, and civic space into a single continuous network.
Urban Context
Transport remains the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland. Yet cities can actively reduce this impact through better planning and alternative mobility networks. Cycling and walking infrastructure plays a key role in this transition.
Across the world, more than 300 communities have joined the Transition Towns movement. In Edinburgh, local organisations such as Greener Leith and Leith Open Space already promote environmental awareness and community-led change. This project builds on that momentum.
A Missing Link in the City
Edinburgh already contains fragments of green routes, cycle paths, and open spaces. However, these elements often fail to connect. Leith Walk acts as a strong urban divider. Its flow resists interruption. Crossing it can feel like going against a river.
The proposal identifies a clear solution: a bridge. This bridge would link the eastern cycle route from Portobello directly to Pilrig Park and beyond. It would serve cyclists and pedestrians who simply need to cross the city safely and efficiently.
The Opportunity
The idea may sound ambitious. Yet one location makes it entirely plausible. Between Gordon Street and Jane Street, old elevated railway tracks already exist. A bridge once stood here. The structure remains visible, waiting for reuse.
This forgotten infrastructure offers a ready-made foundation for a new public route.
Learning from Other Cities
The proposal draws inspiration from international precedents. In Paris, the Promenade Plantée transformed abandoned tracks into an elevated park, revitalising the surrounding neighbourhood. In New York, the High Line reshaped how cities value post-industrial infrastructure.
Similar projects now thrive in Chicago, Philadelphia, and beyond. Edinburgh holds the same potential.
A Garden in the Sky
Rather than a single landscaped gesture, the Edinburgh High Line proposes a sequence of communal gardens. These shared spaces would invite neighbours of all backgrounds to participate, grow, and care for the city together.
Communal gardens foster ownership. They strengthen social ties. They also encourage biodiversity by creating habitats for birds, insects, and urban wildlife.
The Bridge as a Landmark
The bridge above Leith Walk would do more than solve a connectivity problem. It would become a civic landmark. It would mark a commitment to sustainable movement and collective space.
The structure aims for lightness and low embodied energy. Timber offers the ideal solution. Locally sourced, bio-based timber reduces reliance on hydrocarbons while supporting local crafts and skills.
Material Strategy
The proposal envisions a simple, efficient construction. Timber boards form the deck and structure. Local artisans fabricate components. On-site assembly remains minimal. The result is affordable, ecological, and expressive.
This approach delivers high civic value with modest means.
Outcome
Leith Bridge & the Edinburgh High Line proposes a new urban landscape rooted in history, ecology, and community. By reconnecting forgotten infrastructure, the project offers Edinburgh a chance to stitch itself back together — lightly, sustainably, and collectively.
Media Links:
http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/daily-news/biomorphis-reveals-edinburgh-leith-walk-cycle-path-plans/8632016.article?blocktitle=Latest-News&contentID=3
http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/opinion/pierre-forissier-green-bridge-for-leith-is-missing-link-1-2349059
http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman/transport/bridging-the-gap-a-new-landmark-for-leith-1-2341643
http://www.urbanrealm.com/news/3562/Latest_Leith_Walkway_plans_drawn_up.html
http://magazine.good.is/articles/the-high-line-effect-top-10-urban-transformation-projects
You must be logged in to post a comment.