Edinburgh Green PartyEdinburgh Green Party
Architect Malcolm Fraser will discuss how issues of sustainability work their way right through our physical surroundings, from energy conservation and fuel poverty to retrofit and the recognition that it’s not only our existing buildings that need cherished but our old urban centres.
Along the way we will talk about the nonsense of the UK government’s “eco-towns” programme, and how much the free market loves it when ruinous policies are permitted to continue as long as there is a bit of eco-kit bolted on.
Green Cllr Kayleigh O’Neill and Robert Motyka from The Causey campaign will also be speaking. There will be a Q&A discussion afterwards.
This branch meeting is open to all – bring friends and family!
Edinburgh-born and educated, Malcolm Fraser started out as a community architect in Wester Hailes, also working on conservation projects around the city.
In his own practice he has helped redefine the urban realm of Edinburgh’s Old Town, with projects such as the Scottish Poetry Library, Scottish Storytelling Centre, DanceBase, Dovecot Studios, and Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation which set out a new approach to sustainability that valued embedded energy and make-do-and-mend over the wasteful cycle of demolition and rebuild.
He has campaigned on the Public Private Partnership model of funding for public buildings, the inequity of VAT on building repair, and built environment issues around Edinburgh.
Kayleigh O’Neill is Green councillor for Forth ward. She is the Green group’s Equalities spokesperson and currently sits on the council’s Planning committee – including Development Management Sub-Committee and Local Review Body.
In her ward and across the city Kayleigh advocates for better accessibility, a feminist planning approach, stronger engagement and greener values. She is vocal on issues of pavement parking, dropped kerb access and other barriers that disabled and elderly people face in their daily life.
Robert Motyka is a Polish/British projection artist, video maker, lecturer, and human rights activist supporting migrants’ rights and the Polish LGBT+ community.
He is a steering group member of the Causey Development Trust – a charity committed to putting people back at the heart of West Crosscauseway, a street in Edinburgh’s Southside, by transforming it into a space that everyone can enjoy.
The venue, Augustine United Church, is wheelchair friendly with good access and facilities. You can find information about the venue accessibility here.
The meeting will be online as well. Edinburgh Greens members will be emailed a link. If you’re not a member and would like to attend the meeting online, please email events.edin@scottishgreens.org.uk
If you need any more information, or have any ideas about any aspect of access or inclusion improvements that we can make at our events, please tell us.