More 'Town Centres' across Edinburgh will be revitalised under plans being considered as part of the city's Neighbourhood Regeneration Programme.

The Urban Centres Programme (UCP) has delivered significant improvements in 20 town and neighbourhood centres across Edinburgh since 2003. Its aim is to improve the environmental quality, economic prosperity and sustainability of these centres for the benefit of those who live, work, visit and invest in them.

The centres include Leith Walk, Corstorphine, Portobello, Gorgie/Dalry, Morningsid/Bruntsfield, Southside, Great Junction Steet and Easter Road. Environmental improvements have been completed in Restalrig, which won the National Streetscape Design Award in 2003; and other developments supported by the programme include a citywide Retailers Information Guide, local shopping directories and tourism leaflets.

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A new report to be considered by members of the Health, Social Care & Housing Committee on 20 May 2008 will recommend the way forward for the UCP for the next three financial years.

Among other things, the report proposes consultation with Neighbourhood Partnerships on taking forward improvements to local centres in need of further work from 2009.

Councillor Paul Edie, Housing Leader, said: "Edinburgh is consistently recognised on the international stage for its fantastic quality of life and the city aspires to be the most successful and sustainable city region in Northern Europe by 2020.

"Delivering the next stages of the UCP will be integral to achieving this aim - the programme has already made great strides in breathing new life into centres across Edinburgh and the proposed UCP for the coming years will bring about further welcome improvements to enhance town and local centres throughout the city."

(GK/JM)