Leith Pulse

Leith Pulse Poster Edinburgh Data Graphics

Leith Pulse is a community engagement project mapping and analysing Leith. The work identifies the key areas of action repeatedly raised by the local community through years of engagement, consultation, and collective discussion.

The document was part of The Leith Conference which brought local people, organisations and businesses together to jointly identify key issues affecting life, for better and worse in Leith, and to agree priorities for future action.

Context

Leith Pulse formed part of The Leith Conference, an event that brought together local residents, organisations, creatives, and businesses. The conference created space for open dialogue about life in Leith — what works well, what needs attention, and what the community wants to shape next.

Rather than focusing on a single issue, the project embraced complexity. It acknowledged the layered social, cultural, and economic forces that shape everyday life in the area.

Methodology

The document draws on a wide body of existing research. This includes local plans, community manifestos, and previous consultation exercises carried out across Leith. By consolidating this material, Leith Pulse provides clarity and structure to voices that already existed but often remained dispersed.

The process prioritised listening. It focused on recurring themes rather than isolated opinions. As a result, the work reflects collective patterns instead of individual agendas.

Making Places Programme

Leith Pulse sits within the Making Places Programme, a Scottish Government initiative that promotes inclusive, community-driven approaches to place-making. Within this framework, the project supports local people in articulating priorities and influencing future decision-making.

The mapping exercise helps translate lived experience into actionable insight. It bridges the gap between community knowledge and strategic planning.

Outcomes

Leith Pulse acts as both a snapshot and a tool. It captures the current state of community priorities while also providing a foundation for future initiatives. The document supports collaboration between residents, local organisations, and public bodies.

Most importantly, it reinforces the idea that meaningful change starts with listening. By giving structure to community voices, Leith Pulse helps Leith shape its own future.

Policy & Place-Making

Urban Engagement & Research