Yes it's official, Dundee is one of the UK Bright Sparks, as defined by Sunday Times Journalist, Oliver Bennett.
In his feature article published today, he reviews "hi-tech hotspots where innovation is set to ignite the local property market."
Dundee is the sole location identified in Scotland. In the short entry about Dundee, Bennet writes:
"For a while, Scotland had a Silicon Glen: .... But it is Dundee - once known for 'jute, jam and journalism' - that may prove most interesting, particularly as it has become a centre for Computer Gaming.
It's a pity that the article has no mention of the V&A at Dundee or the recent UNESCO City of Design designation nor any references to residential and commercial property developments in the city. Nevertheless, it's good to see our city featuring positively in national media.
GO DUNDEE have confirmed that the 2015 Learning Journey will take place on Saturday 7th November from 9.30am to around 4pm and that the event will celebrate Dundee’s achievement of UNESCO ‘City of Design’ status. This year participants will be visiting the following venues:
- Dundee Waterfront – including view of engineering works from RRS Discovery
- DC Thomson – Kingsway East HQ
- High Mill gallery – newly opened visitor attraction at Verdant Works
- Maggie’s Dundee – cancer care centre in building designed by Frank Gehry
Go Dundee is again organising this event in partnership with Dundee Science Centre as part of the Dundee Science Festival 2015. This year they are making a particular effort to encourage people from all the city’s various communities to take part in this event. They are delighted that the Whitfield Community Choir has kindly agreed to perform at lunch time.
Lunch will be provided at Verdant Works.
Many thanks to Xplore Dundee (formally National Express Dundee) for generously agreeing to provide the bus for the Learning Journey.
Booking
This event is free to attend but numbers are limited so booking is essential.
Booking starts on Friday 2nd October at 12.00 – phone the Dundee Science Festival number 01382 228800.
On Monday 1st December, Dundee was designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as the first City of Design in the UK.
Our city has been recognised by UNESCO for its diverse contributions to fields including medical research, comics and video games.
The title recognises the design innovations Dundee has contributed to the world, including, biomedical research which has led to numerous new drugs, comics including the Beano and Dandy, orange marmalade, and video games including Lemmings and Grand Theft Auto.
The city's waterfront is also undergoing a 30-year, £1bn regeneration project at the waterfront. Central to this plan is the creation of V&A Museum of Design Dundee. The city is also home to Dundee Contemporary Arts, Dundee Rep Theatre, McManus Art Gallery and Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art.
Through this prestigious award, it has joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network along with 27 other cities from 19 countries. Within the network there are seven thematic areas: Craft and Folk Arts, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts and Music
Launched in 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The network aims to foster international cooperation between cities committed to investing in creativity as a driver for sustainable urban development, social inclusion and enhanced influence of cultural in the world.
This designation is further recognition of the growing reputation and confidence of Dundee as a city with international significance.
