Urban expert appointed to top sustainability job at council

Urban design and planning expert Daisy Narayanan has been appointed to a top sustainability job at the city council.

Daisy Narayanan, Edinburgh City Centre Transformation Director at the City of Edinburgh Council PIC: Colin Hattersley Photography

Council bosses welcomed the appointment of the outgoing Director of Urbanism for Sustrans saying she will help deliver “bold” planning projects that are in the pipeline.

Daisy who championed the city’s monthly car-free event in the Old Town, comes from a background as an architect and urban designer in India, Singapore, England and Scotland.

As Mobility and Placemaking Senior Manager at the Council, she will help lead on strategies for the sustainable development of the city as it works towards carbon neutrality by 2030.

These include the City Mobility Plan, which was approved by Transport and Environment Committee in January, and the 20-minute neighbourhood programme.

She is also a member of the Edinburgh Climate Commission and Scotland's Climate Assembly's Evidence Group, so will contribute expertise to support the Council’s zero carbon goals.

In 2018 and 2019, Daisy was seconded to the Council to lead on the successful development of Edinburgh City Centre Transformation, a ten-year plan to create a vibrant, people-friendly city centre.

During this time, she also championed the introduction of Open Streets in Edinburgh, a monthly car-free event in the Old Town, when families and individuals could enjoy the sights and attractions of the city.

Daisy Narayanan said:

“I am delighted to be joining the City of Edinburgh Council, as the city recovers from the pandemic, and as it gets ready to tackle the climate emergency.

“I am under no illusions that this will be an easy job, but I am excited by the challenge. And I am determined to ensure that everyone living here gets to benefit from the city’s development as a greener, healthier place – and that these benefits extend to the outer edges of the city.”

Council leader Adam McVey said: “As we work toward a green recovery from the pandemic, we will be focusing our efforts on delivering transport and placemaking projects that truly place people at the heart of the city, and we know that Daisy will bring exactly the kind of experience and passion we need to drive this forward.”