Planning Guidance - Edinburgh Design Guidance

Glossary of key terms

Biodiversity - The variety of life on earth, both plant and animal species, commonplace and rare, and the habitats in which they are found.

Green and Blue Network - The totality of green and blue features in an area, for example green roofs and permeable spaces, often combining to cumulatively provide a range of benefits, including positive effects for biodiversity and water management.

Greenspace - Any vegetated land or structure, water or geological feature in the urban area including playing fields, grassed areas, trees, woodlands and paths.

Horonised - A paved surface consisting of irregular fragments of stone (usually by-products of the manufacture of setts or cobbles) set in cement or another binder.

Landscape - How we see the land around us and how it has been shaped by people and nature.

Natural heritage - The natural features, spaces and landscapes that are of special value.

Open Space - Includes ‘greenspace’ (see definition) and ‘civic space’ consisting of squares, marketplaces and other paved or hard landscaped areas with a civic function.

Public Realm - The parts of the city (whether publicly or privately owned) that are available for everyone to see and use without charge 24 hours a day, including streets, squares and parks.

Roofscape - A scene or view of roofs, especially when considered in terms of its aesthetic appeal.

Special Protection Area (SPA) - An area of international importance for rare, threatened or migratory species of birds.

Street furniture – Objects placed or fixed in the street for public use, such as postboxes, road signs, and benches.

Tree Preservation Order – An order made by a local authority under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 to protect trees of importance for amenity.

Urban Grain – The arrangement or pattern of the buildings and streets within the built form.