US firm Jacobs Engineering Group has been appointed to lead the transformation of Edinburgh City Centre.

The City of Edinburgh Transformation Programme aims to improve community, economic and cultural life.

Jacobs will help help develop the strategy, delivery plan and detailed business case for the multi-million pound investment.

Its partners for the project include Big Partnership, Burohappold Engineering, Citymart, 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 Edinburgh'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.

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The contract for the transformation project was awarded by Edinburgh City Council.

"Edinburgh is one of the world's most archetypal cities and this program 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."

Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Lesley Macinnes, added: "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 was selected as the preferred bidder 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.

(CM/MH)