Dunfermline, which was granted city status as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in May 2022, hosted their first city conference this week at the Glen Pavilion in the heart of the city’s Pittencrieff Park. The conference focused on collaboration, brought together key partners, stakeholders, community representatives and business leaders, all demonstrating a clear and strong vision for the city. Fife Council Leader, Cllr David Ross, commenced the proceedings by setting the scene for a clear city vision—one that is based on a stronger, greener, and fairer Dunfermline.
Key theme’s from the conference:
• Connecting Dunfermline:
Dunfermline aims to optimise its geographical advantage, as they highlighted ideas to establish efficient transportation links, such as the cruise forth shuttle service. As well as increased accommodation in the city centre and ensuring, that they can harness the great economic potentials that tourism can bring. You can visit their website to find out more about visitor experiences, local attractions, shops, and amenities in Dunfermline.
• Local Community:
The message of “Nothing about us without us” reverberated throughout the entire conference, emphasizing its vital importance to the city’s mission. The city is committed to ensuring that the local community is actively involved in robust planning frameworks. During the discussions, it was highlighted that the city’s park holds significance as “the garden of the city” and serves as a bridge between old and new communities, particularly as the city expands. There is a shared aspiration to promote the entire green space within the city as a unified entity and enhance connectivity between these spaces, fostering a stronger sense of community and inclusivity.
• Past and Present:
Dunfermline, with its rich history and being the birthplace of philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, aspires to leverage its global connections. Gillian Taylor, CEO of Carnegie Dunfermline Trust, emphasized how Dunfermline can harness this remarkable connection. The city’s history serves as the foundation for their vision, as they aim to utilize their narrative in creating a cultural well-being experience for both tourists and residents.
• Partnership:
“Heart of Dunfermline” is a collaborative partnership involving Historic Environment Scotland, the Cathedral, and Fife Council. The primary objective of this partnership is to investigate how the existing assets and buildings, which are under their stewardship, can be utilized more effectively to benefit both the community and visitors. The ultimate vision is to establish a heritage quarter in the centre of the city. Focusing on innovative and more efficient ways of working together to enhance the city’s assets and create a culturally enriching and wellness-oriented experience.
Gordon Mole, Head of Business & Employability at Fife Council echoed these themes, expressing to us:
‘The awarding of city status to Dunfermline reflected the strong partnership working in the city, and the Dunfermline City Conference underlined the will of businesses, community and civic groups to maximise on the opportunity of being Scotland’s ancient capital and newest city.
‘The development of a local community plan, our Dunfermline City Plan, together with work around the development of smart city approaches, building on the SCA’s Scotland’s 8th City programme, provides a platform for short-, medium- and long-term inclusive action to increase the prosperity of Dunfermline. Since the award of city status, we have used opportunities including UKREiiF and Scottish Cities Week to promote Dunfermline and Fife to investors and new stakeholders.
‘The city’s famous resident and benefactor, Andrew Carnegie, spoke of the importance of wellbeing in gifting Pittencrieff Park to the city, and would recognise our ambitions to ensure Dunfermline is a city built on community wealth building, that is stronger, greener and fairer.’
Dunfermline: The 8th SMART City
Lastly, City strategist Peter Griffiths, representing BABLE SMART Cities, concluded the conference, before a series of collaborative workshops. Griffiths specialises in helping people envision cities in a new light and works closely with them to transform into SMART cities. Notably, this journey began for other Scottish cities in 2015 with support from The Alliance – Scotland’s 8th City program. Griffiths highlighted Dunfermline’s aspiration to become Scotland’s 8th smart city. The city is committed to investing in its future, with a clear objective of becoming a more liveable and resilient place. To achieve this, they are embarking on a path towards establishing a purpose-driven data ecosystem, which could be catalytic for the growth and development of the Fife region and beyond.
Next steps:
The Dunfermline City Conference showcased the city’s determination to forge a new identity, as it embraces a contemporary vision. Strategic focus, centred around becoming a SMART city, connectivity, local green spaces, community empowerment, heritage, sustainability, and collaboration. Balancing their rich history, with rigorous focus on the potentials of the future. Dunfermline is well positioned to become a thriving city, as residents and visionaries continue to work together. Follow Invest Fife on Twitter and LinkedIn for more details.
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