Story so far. In Part One. TIIA, US pension fund turned global property giant, ran rings round Scottish Government and Edinburgh City Council. Now Princes Street is suffering and the capital's heritage status is tarnished. A safe investment?Over-tourismEdinburgh's predicament should also be judged in another context. The city's economy has increasingly become … [Read more...] about Part Two: the council boards a runaway train
Housing
TIAA: a global American invades Scotland
It may yet be Edinburgh's most intriguing Fringe show.Venue: a Scottish courtroom rather than a theatre or church hall. Curtain raiser: American developer Nuveen's petition for a last-minute judicial review in which it had sought to scupper a proposal for a new music and performing arts centre in historic St Andrew Square. (It has since dropped its legal action following a … [Read more...] about TIAA: a global American invades Scotland
Agenda: end rough sleeping crisis
Homelessness has hit the headlines again.There has been a steep growth in the number of homeless children in Britain – at least 135,000, according to the charity Shelter, the highest in 12 years, will be homeless and living in temporary accommodation this Christmas.There are record numbers of rough sleepers in some cities, including London. And a … [Read more...] about Agenda: end rough sleeping crisis
Drugs, poverty and entertainment
Few reputations can have crashed as sensationally as that of the Sacklers, one-time cultural benefactors par excellence, now pariahs without peer, their name indelibly linked to America's opioid epidemic, their philanthropy unceremoniously dumped by the Louvre, the Tate, and the National Portrait Gallery.Drug abuse kills around 70,000 users a year in the USA, according to … [Read more...] about Drugs, poverty and entertainment
The tangled history of Edinburgh St James
Rack followed ruin and ruin begat rack.Edinburgh is held to be among the most beautiful cities in the world. The sweeping curves, terraces and gardens of the New Town an example of inspired urban planning, a masterpiece of symmetry and grace – for those who could afford to live there.Other, nearby, parts of the city have not fared so well. In this fascinating new three … [Read more...] about The tangled history of Edinburgh St James