Climate
Kilmarnock Town Centre Masterplan will therefore be designed with awareness
of the global climate emergency and with sustainability as one of its core tenets.
East Ayrshire Climate Change Strategy articulates the Council’s recognition that there is a global climate emergency, commits to net zero emissions targets (by 2030 for the Council’s own emissions and 2045 for wider communities), and provides the following vision statement:
“East Ayrshire will be a low carbon place with a thriving and diverse environment. We will have strong, healthy, vibrant and resilient communities that benefit from high quality places, multi-functional green spaces and access to high quality services that are well located to maximise sustainable travel choices. Our economy will have recovered and will be fairer, greener and more inclusive, with all East Ayrshire citizens able to benefit from greater economic opportunities.”
As is evident from the strategy’s vision statement, the measures to address climate change are deeply enmeshed within other policy areas, including land use planning and economic transformation. Many of the elements of good placemaking are also taking steps towards net zero – such as improving active travel networks and providing green space for both nature and recreation and working with key partners to achieve this.
The Masterplan will incorporate green infrastructure which seeks to reduce flooding,
manage surface water, improve local aesthetics and increase biodiversity.
A Water Vision
Due to changing climate, flooding is one of the key risks in many towns and cities in Scotland, including Kilmarnock. Developing a Water Vision - a new way of thinking about how to manage water disposal and using water in a positive way, the Masterplan will look at :
- Addressing future flooding issues within Kilmarnock.
- Improve biodiversity within the town centre.
- Reduce pressures on existing drainage infrastructure.
- Enhance public realm spaces and introduce more raingardens.
- Investigate water recycling options.
- Provide trees for natural summer cooling and shading in low winter sun.
- Help towards reaching net zero.
Parks strategy
This will set out a vision for the Howard Park and Kay Park over the next 10 years incorporating green infrastructure into drainage to reduce flood risk, the management of surface water, improve local aesthetics and biodiversity. These systems will transform functional drainage infrastructure into community assets to support recreation, health and wellbeing, and local wildlife, whilst supporting Kilmarnock Town Centre.
Key principles underpinning the strategy will be collaboration, creativity, and inclusion to deliver improved outcomes for nature and climate, children and young people, community participation, health and wellbeing and employment and skills opportunities. Next Steps are to
- Work in collaboration with Scottish Water and SEPA to develop a Water Vision and associated projects which will be developed alongside the Masterplans for Howard Park and Kay Park
- Progress the Strategic Flooding Study for Kilmarnock and the Irvine Valley
- Review funding opportunities
