In a period of rapid urbanisation, real estate and infrastructure development are critical enablers of economic growth.
Scotland’s cities are making great strides in these areas, focusing on enhancing city centre living, developing sustainable infrastructure, and attracting inward investment.
The collective vision is to ensure that our cities remain accessible and adaptable, built to achieve sustainable economic growth and a high standard of living for this and future generations. This charge is being led through innovative and collaborative approaches across four priority sectors of infrastructural development.
Transforming the built environment
Our cities are rapidly transforming their built environment through strategic investments and partnerships. One such example is the ongoing developments made in Dundee with the £1 billion Waterfront redevelopment, and the £700 million Tay Cities Deal supporting growth in life sciences, digital technology, and tourism sectors. The City Centre Strategic Investment Plan 2050 outlines a long-term urban vision, identifying opportunities for regeneration, including seven strategic development sites.
These initiatives position Dundee as a leading hub for innovation and sustainable development, fostering a vibrant, resilient city centre that attracts investment and enhances quality of life for residents.
Fostering sustainable connectivity
In the largest project of its kind in the UK with a £115m City Deal funding injection, Glasgow is undergoing a major transformative city centre project through its Avenues programme which creates integrated systems of continuous pedestrian and cycle routes across the city centre. ‘Avenues’ is a great example of putting people at the heart of development, encouraging active travel, improving connectivity, introducing sustainable green infrastructure, and optimising public transport.
Investing in utilities
Aberdeen is leading the way in energy and utilities infrastructure with nearly £16 billion of public and private investment set for the next decade. This includes the investment in offshore wind which the Green Industrial Strategy outlines as the single most important immediate opportunity for attracting mobile capital to Scotland raising the nation’s prospectives globally.
In a concerted drive to phase to a more energy efficient country, Aberdeen’s Energy Transition Zone adjacent to the new £420m development at Aberdeen South Harbour are at the heart of accelerating this shift.
Aberdeen’s pioneering approach to energy has been recognised, recently chosen as the host of Great British Energy HQ in a collaboration that will progress not only Scotland’s but the UK’s green revolution. These investments and initiatives ensure that Aberdeen remains a leading hub for innovation and sustainable development, attracting visitors, workers, and investment to the city.
Addressing the housing shortfall
City leaders have been working in partnership with the Scottish Government to direct funding to affordable homes as part of the latest budget to tackle the housing crisis and help address the issues faced by Scottish residents.
An investment of £768 million has been committed for the Affordable Housing Supply Programme in 2025‑26, which aims to deliver at least 8,000 homes for social rent, mid‑market rent, and low‑cost home ownership. This investment is crucial in tackling the housing emergency and contributes towards the target of 110,000 affordable homes by 2032 in all of Scotland’s cities.
Scotland’s cities shared future
The ongoing efforts of the Scottish Cities Alliance, in collaboration with the Scottish Government and its cities, are instrumental in reimagining and revitalising Scotland’s urban centres. By focusing on diverse housing solutions, sustainable infrastructure, and strategic investments, all 8 Scottish cities are setting the stage for future growth with people and the planet at their core.
