How could the course of our Institute’s history have changed if the plans of the 60s & 70s to demolish historic buildings on Edinburgh’s Southside had been carried out?
Since 1988, the Italian Institute is located at no. 82 Nicolson Street, right in the heart of the Southside and the Edinburgh University area. During the 60s & 70s, Edinburgh University had made plans to demolish historic building in the Southside of Edinburgh and replace them with a new urban landscape of concrete blocks linked by elevated pedestrian walkways. The project was for the most part later abandoned thanks to the overwhelming opposition from many conservation groups in the city.
The Saltire Society Edinburgh Branch is delighted that author, playwright and journalist David J Black has kindly agreed to give the annual Edinburgh Philosophical Institution Lecture on Saving the Southside. The Lecture will take place at the Italian Institute of Culture on Thursday, 5th October at 6.30pm.
An admirer of Patrick Geddes and Jane Jacobs, David J Black was co-founder and Chairman of Edinburgh’s Southside Association and a co-founder of Edinburgh Old Town Association, and is a former chairman of the Borders branch of the Architectural Heritage Society for Scotland, a former member of the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust and a member of Classical America.
The lecture is free but booking essential! Places will be reserved on a first come first served basis.
If you wish to attend please contact:
Laura Scott by emailing scott.fiore@virgin.net
phone 07193 804274 (Mobile) or 0131 2251038 (landline)
OR
John Yellowlees by emailing jyellowlees@blueyonder.co.uk
phone 07771 831252 (Mobile)
The event will be followed by a wine reception.