A public consultation aimed at transforming Edinburgh's City Centre has opened.

The Council has developed a proposal to improve the city centre, with particular emphasis on the area around Princes Street and George Street.

It said the proposal aims to make the area a better place in which to live, work, visit, invest and study and has been shaped by a working group chaired by Planning Convener Councillor Ian Perry.

Councillor Perry said: "I think many people recognise that for all its architectural beauty and wealth of enticing shops and amenities, the City Centre is still not yet achieving its full potential. With this public consultation, we've got the chance here to really do something for the city centre and we're determined to find a solution which works best for everyone.


"I would urge everyone with a stake in Edinburgh's future prosperity to have their say."

The Council is keen to hear residents' views on the proposals and how they would like to see the space used. The consultation process will also reveal how the proposals might impact on different users and stakeholders.

The findings of the consultation will be the subject of a future report and any changes will then be trialled to test how they work.

The survey can be accessed online and runs for a period of six weeks, ending on Thursday 9th May.

Two public drop-in events are also being held:

• Friday 19 April 2013 - Assembly Rooms, George Street, 12-6pm

• Saturday 20 April - Assembly Rooms, George Street, 10-2pm

(JP/CD)