Seeing the city through the eyes of a toddler

Published on Friday 5 December 2008 09:30

THEY have a unique view of the city. But now everyone will be able to experience a toddler's-eye view of Edinburgh as part of a new exhibition.

Photographs of what nursery pupils see as the good and bad aspects of the city centre have gone on display as part of City Centre Neighbourhood Partnership's three-year community plan exhibition.

Children at Grassmarket Nursery School took photographs of things they spotted around the city centre. Images of graffiti, litter and empty cider bottles were snapped in the "bad" category, while the children thought green and clean things were nice, in particular play areas and parks.

Grassmarket Nursery School head teacher Barbara Robertson said: "Parents and children looked for things that they like and things that they don't like. The families responded really well.

"The humour was the thing I was most struck by; there are pictures taken through things and at funny angles. We had a very high response rate and quite a few parents came to the launch."

The photographs were unveiled last week at the launch of the City Centre Neighbourhood Partnership's launch of an ambitious three-year community plan.

The main aim of the plan is to improve the quality of life for people living in the city centre by developing programmes of activities and initiatives.

Charles Dundas, City Centre Neighbourhood Partnership chairman, said: "This three-year plan will make a big impact on the city centre. Sometimes people forget that this area is home for many besides being a thriving business district and transport hub.

"By working together we can improve life in the city centre for all those who live, work, study and visit our beautiful city."

The plan has been drawn up following a series of consultation events that involved listening to a wide range of city centre residents, workers, students and visitors who shared what they think are the issues affecting the quality of life in the area.

The issues highlighted include improving the cleanliness of city centre streets and public areas; providing a more visible police presence in the city centre; and improving city centre pavements, roads and drainage.

Jenni Martin, city centre neighbourhood manager, said: "Many good things are going to happen off the back of this plan. We have all the ingredients it takes to make these changes, now all we have to do is work together to make sure they are implemented."

Inspector Gavin Phillip of Lothian and Borders Police commended the plan.

He said: "By speaking to the community we have been able to establish what the priorities are for local residents and visitors to the city centre.

"We will work with the local neighbourhood partnership, members of the council and all other groups who have been involved in this process to make sure the plan is implemented and changes are seen as a result."