Global Designs on Dundee's Profile

The global cultural impact of Dundee’s UNESCO City of Design status, alongside the local economic benefits of the designation, are to be outlined to councillors. 

The City Governance committee will hear that the latest four-yearly monitoring report on Dundee’s contribution to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network has been rated ‘Excellent’. 

Dundee was ranked equal highest alongside the cities of Bandung in Indonesia and Kaunas in Lithuania among the locations which were involved in the monitoring exercise carried out by the United Nations body. 

Evaluating city Montreal noted that Dundee “effectively utilises its creative assets to promote cultural regeneration, community engagement and economic growth.” 

The evaluation added: “Locally, they engage in projects that have a strong social and economic impact both on the design community and the population in general.” 

Councillors will also hear that between 2022 and this year, the Dundee UNESCO team generated over £1 million in income for the city, with earnings of £250,000 a year predicted through an action plan for 2026-29. 

Funding support for the team for the next financial year has been confirmed from Abertay University, Dundee City Council and the Northwood Charitable Trust. 

Leisure & Culture Dundee and V&A Dundee have a strategic partnership to support the profile of UNESCO City of Design Dundee and collaborate on selected programme elements such as Dundee Design Festival 2027. 

The report details activities that have been carried out by the team to take design out to communities in Dundee and organise events such as the Dundee Design Festival, as well as being involvement in the Union Street transformation project.  

Committee convener Councillor Mark Flynn said: “It was a real honour when Dundee was awarded the UNESCO designation of City of Design in 2014. 

“I am pleased to see how this report outlines the global impact of this status for the city, alongside the local efforts that are being made to take design out to our communities and get people involved. 

“There are really exciting benefits for the city on economic, social and cultural levels, and I am also impressed by the team's determination to lever in income from a number of sources. 

“I believe that design can continue to contribute to the efforts we are making to improve the city and make it a better place for everyone.”