8 CITIES ● 20 YEARS ● UNLOCKING 170,000 NEW HOMES
Scotland’s cities are at a defining moment
Across Aberdeen, Dundee, Dunfermline, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Perth and Stirling, sustained economic ambition is driving investment in energy transition, innovation, skills and key growth sectors. What is increasingly clear is that the success of these ambitions depends on one fundamental enabler: the availability of the right homes, in the right places, delivered at the right pace.
Housing is not a by product of growth – it is a pre condition for it.
Our prospectus is an invitation to consider housing differently. It presents a 20 year, long term, demand-led investment opportunity that goes beyond individual projects, showing how housing delivery across Scotland’s cities can be coordinated at scale, with shared purpose and long term visibility.
Through the Scottish Cities Alliance, our eight cities are working collaboratively while retaining their distinct identities and priorities. By aligning our approach, we believe we can offer investors something increasingly rare – scale, geographic diversification and policy alignment, underpinned by strong public
sector partnership.
Intentionally strategic, the prospectus sets out a direction of travel: demonstrating that housing demand across our cities is real, sustained and driven by both economic growth and long standing undersupply. The figures are not definitive, and will evolve, perhaps grow as delivery pathways and relationships strengthen. Above all, this prospectus reflects our commitment to partnership.
As an Alliance of Scotland’s 8 cities and the Scottish Government, we are committed to working collaboratively with investors and developers to shape investable propositions of scale that meet your long term investment objectives while supporting inclusive growth, high quality places and sustainable outcomes at a local level.
We see this as the start of a conversation – and we welcome it.
Cllr Raymond Bremner
Chair, Scottish Cities Alliance
Copyright © 2025 Scottish Cities Alliance. All rights reserved.
LHEES, area-wide plans for improving building energy efficiency and decarbonising heat, are crucial for Scotland’s energy transition. These strategies provide a framework for improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions in buildings by 2045. Cities are implementing LHEES to identify and prioritise areas for energy improvements, ensuring a coordinated approach to decarbonisation.
Efforts to decarbonise urban areas are gaining momentum. Initiatives like the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme (LCITP) support projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Cities are developing net zero neighbourhoods, focusing on energy efficiency, sustainable transport, and green spaces. These neighbourhoods aim to create healthier, more sustainable urban environments.
Scotland’s commitment to renewable energy is evident in its infrastructure. The country is a leader in wind energy, with numerous onshore and offshore wind farms. Cities are increasingly integrating renewable energy sources into their grids, supporting Scotland’s ambitious climate targets.
Transport infrastructure in Scotland’s cities is robust and continually improving. Scotland’s road network spans approximately 35,400 miles (56,959 km), with major road networks like the M8 connecting Glasgow and Edinburgh facilitating efficient travel and commerce. Rail connectivity is equally vital, with cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow serving as central hubs in the UK’s national rail network. The Caledonian Sleeper service, the overnight sleeper train service also provides a convenient connection between London and many of Scotland’s cities.
The rise of digital services has increased demand for data centres. Scotland’s cool climate and renewable energy resources make it an attractive location for green data centres. These facilities use energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy sources to minimise their environmental impact. Cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow are exploring opportunities to develop such centres, supporting the digital economy while aligning with sustainability goals.
Scotland is making significant strides in digital connectivity. The rollout of 5G and full-fibre broadband is transforming cities into digital hubs. CityFibre’s Gigabit City Investment Programme is a key initiative, aiming to provide full-fibre infrastructure to cities up and down Scotland and the wider UK. This programme supports the Scottish Government’s goal of ensuring superfast broadband access for all premises by 2027. Stirling became the UK’s first completed Gigabit City in 2020.