The objective of this project is to identify the spatial development opportunities created by the flood alleviation scheme for the city of Elgin and the river Lossie. This resulted in a set of designs and ideas for adjusting the alleviation scheme in order to incorporate it better into the urban structure.
The ambition of the spatial design was:
develop extra opportunities and qualities that derive from the confrontation of city and river 
to integrate spatial opportunities and technical solutions.

The aim of the spatial design is to connect the areas along the river as well as to better connect the river and the city.
Technical elements such as embankments, sheet pile walls, bridges, walls, railings and so on, have an important influence to the character of Elgin. Therefore it was possible and necessary to adapt the construction of the embankment proposed in the Alleviation Scheme to its local context.

The vital link between city and river, technical and spatial possibilities is the public space. The accessibility of Cooper Park has been improved. The embankment in Cooper Park has been modified and is now curved around a site were activities are located that have to remain protected against flooding.

The project has been presented on a public exhibition for the inhabitants of Elgin under the title of “work in progress”, indicating that the pictures and drawings shown in the presentation are first sketchy outlines for a spatial design of the Alleviation Scheme. This way the presentation could stir up energy and ideas for the future, focussing on the incorporation of the Alleviation Scheme in Elgin, but also in the minds and hearts of its inhabitants.

see also Elgin Flood Alleviation Scheme

Olga Limarenko
T +31 (0)20 5697 710
E Olga Limarenko