Jim Mackinnon

From Skara Brae to Sustainable Communities

“planning – for the layman a submerged, highly technical world surfacing occasionally in lengthy often incomprehensible hearings seen as a triumph not for clarity but the legal profession.”

“To focus Government and public services on creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth.”

“The ultimate test of an effective planning system is the maintenance and creation of places where 

people want to be. We need to rise to that 

challenge.”

“I ask every Scot to pause and reflect not on the kind of country we are –but on the kind of 

country we could be – we should be.”

David I (1124-1153)–Scotland‘s First National Planner

Introduced the feudal systemEstablished law andorderReorganised the churchPromoted local andforeign trade

All this stuff about planning and compensation and betterment. Broad vistas and all that. But give to me the eighteenth century alley, where foot-pads lurk, and the harlot plies her trade, and none of this new-fangled planning doctrine

Where are the conservation

areas of tomorrow?...

Sam Galbraith Planning Minister November 2000

Plans don’t accomplish

anything. Theories of

management don’t much

matter. Endeavours succeed

or fail because of the people

involved. Only by attracting

the best people will you

accomplish great deeds.

SSCI Charrette Series

open space band

Employment Band

Housing band

Open space band

The Light Imprint PlanThe Peel Plan

Ladyfield Masterplan

The Quay Connection PlanThe Pinwheel Plan

Ladyfield Masterplan

Lochgelly

Lochgelly

Grandhome Masterplan

Terrace House (wide)8 meter plots24 dwellings/hectare

Mixed Block30 dwellings/hectare

Villas (wide)14 meter plots14 dwellings/hectare

From Skara Brae to Sustainable Communities