Scotland’s cities are changing. The ways in which we work, live and play are evolving. And this change can be a force for good as traditional industries and workplaces are joined by exciting new developments that are part of an urban renewal movement across the country.
This is certainly true in Dundee, where the city will soon profit from the global passion for video games with the construction of a stunning 4,000 seater e-sports area as part of the Waterfront development.
The facility, the Northern Lights Arena Europe – or NLAE as it will be known – is due to be completed in 2024, and when it’s ready, it will be one of the world’s top online gaming hubs and will play host to gamers from Scotland, the UK and beyond.
But you don’t have to be a video games fan to enjoy the arena, as it will also provide local education facilities, promote life-long skills and boost people’s digital capabilities, which will help them in the jobs market.
And there’s lots more happening on the banks of the River Tay.
Along the waterfront is the Eden Project, which is set to be built on a former gasworks on East Dock Street. It’s going to be a major draw for tourists with more than 500,000 predicted visitors every year, generating £27million of economic impact on the region annually. The project will create 200 direct jobs and support an additional 300 posts in the supply chain and connected businesses. The construction phase is projected to bring an additional £171million to the regional economy.
And the project will focus on green initiatives and eco-friendly ideas and will boost demand for hotels and restaurants in the city when it opens in 2026.
So it’s clear that Scotland never stands still and it’s important that our cities adapt to reflect how people choose to shop, live and spend their leisure time.
This theme of change can be witnessed in Glasgow and the Buchanan Galleries in the city centre.
Opened in 1999 as a premier city centre shopping destination, plans have been revealed to demolish the development and replace it with an exciting new project.
The Galleries’ owner Landsec is planning to create a new ‘urban neighbourhood’ in the heart of the city centre.
Glasgow City Council has been working with the development company to look at ways to transform the area due to the challenges facing the retail industry, which have increased during the pandemic.
The decade-long project to improve the area would see a new residential, shopping and office quarter being built.
More than 850 construction jobs could be created each year during the construction of the area – eventually leading to 9,500 permanent jobs for the city centre.
David Heaford, managing director for development at Landsec, said: “Our vision is to replace the existing shopping centre with an exciting new mixed-use urban neighbourhood in the heart of Glasgow city centre, blending world-class shopping with places to work, live and play.”
Meanwhile, in Aberdeen, the city centre and beach area are set for a major transformation that will attract more businesses and tourists to the North East.
The Beachfront area, popular with generations of families, is to be upgraded with plans for a pier, new green hub and a modern sports area.
And the Aberdeen City Centre Master Plan sets out to create a destination ‘market’ venue with covered public space, pop-up retail space, food and drink outlets. It is receiving funding of £20million as part of the UK Government’s Levelling Up initiative.
Our cities are changing for the better, and the opportunities are there for businesses to be part of that change.
X
Linkedin