Building Briefs - April 23rd

• QuickBlock among global start-ups selected for MSIP accelerator

Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc (MSIP), a joint venture between Michelin, Dundee City Council and Scottish Enterprise, is a world-class Innovation Parc in Dundee for sustainable mobility and decarbonisation, which aims to drive growth and diversity in the Scottish economy whilst addressing the global climate emergency.

One of the companies included is QuickBlock, a flat-packed, 100% recycled plastic, lightweight, modular building system which offers an alternative to traditional materials. The blocks are easy to assemble and disassemble via a ‘Lego’ style interlocking method with no additional or specialist materials or tools required.

Funded by Scottish Enterprise and powered by Elevator, the MSIP Accelerator was formed to support Scotland’s net zero carbon ambitions.

This is the second cohort of the MSIP Accelerator and those selected to participate are developing a range of future thinking products and services, including electric vehicle mobility and charging technology, smart and sustainable energy solutions, and mobility as a service.

The 16-week programme works with companies that have developed products or service prototypes, to deliver investor-ready propositions focused on sustainable mobility and decarbonisation.

The next four-month programme launches on April 26, with online sessions allowing the cohort to receive dedicated insight and guidance from delivery partners and sector experts, including Ricardo and Productiv.

Included in this second cohort are several companies from outside of Scotland, offering the opportunity for sharing, learning and ongoing collaboration between the participants, across multiple geographies.

• Cooper Park design competition launched for Moray’s young people

Moray Council is calling on 5-18-year-olds to help re-design Cooper Park in Elgin.

Part of the Elgin City Centre Masterplan includes a new, inclusive play park and expanded skate park with new activities like a Boulder Park and Sports Pavilion. The pond will also be brought back into use alongside an amphitheatre for outdoor performances.

Moray Council is now looking for young people in Moray to submit designs as part of a competition to transform the park.

The masterplan also aims to enhance the cultural offering in Moray alongside an ambitious programme of job creation, training and learning opportunities to encourage young people to stay in the area.

Elgin Town Hall will be refurbished and extended to become a top class entertainment venue, cinema, recording and studio space with meeting rooms, café and opportunities for arts and technology learning.

The evening economy will be transformed with more city centre living and bringing derelict buildings back into use to create a vibrant heart of the city.

Designs for Cooper Park can be hand drawn or computer generated, for example a drawing, photo, collage, Lego, Mecchano or Minecraft model.

The competition closes on 31 May with winners in categories for ages 5-7, 8-11, 12-15 and 16-18 being announced in June. Prizes include influencing the final design; Elgin BID gift card; and play equipment for the winning entrant’s school.

The competition entry form can be found on Moray Council’s website alongside more details about the Elgin City Centre Masterplan.

• Survey respondents drawn to George Street designs

Bold plans for the transformation of Edinburgh’s historic George Street would encourage more people to visit the area, according to a public survey.

More than 650 people responded to the survey on final proposed concept designs for the George Street and First New Town Public Realm Improvements Project, which were unveiled in February. These include significantly widened pavements, landscaped spaces for play and relaxation and a cycling thoroughfare, where motor traffic is largely removed, to create a people-friendly setting.

Two thirds (66%) of respondents said they would be more likely to return to the street as a result of the improvements, with shopping, window shopping and socialising in bars and restaurants amongst the top reasons for spending time there.

When asked about modes of travel, only 13% said they would drive to the New Town in future, with 67% saying they’d walk, 44% would cycle and 58% opting for the bus. Participants also suggested how they would like to see the redesigned street’s open spaces to be animated – preferences included public art, community events and small markets.