Dundee made Unesco City of Design

An artist's impression of the new V&A museum in Dundee. Picture: submitted

The prestigious award from the United Nations agency is given to cities with a ‘’rich cultural landscape’’ that give opportunities to designers and planners to take advantage of local materials and conditions.

Developments made in medicine and biomedical research in Dundee helped the city gain the award, as did cultural creations such as comics The Beano and The Dandy and worldwide gaming favourite Grand Theft Auto.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop met designers including architect Kirsty Maguire, fashion designer Hayley Scanlan, game designers Guerilla Tea and jeweller Jane Gowans as part of a three-day celebration of the city’s design strengths as part of the launch.

It involves showcasing Dundee’s designers to the public and asking everyone in the city what the status means to them.

Ms Hyslop said: “Today is the opening line of a new chapter in Dundee’s story. Dundee’s status as the UK and Scotland’s first Unesco City of Design carries with it the city’s great history as well as its bold ambitions as a centre of creativity for the future.

“This award is down to the people of Dundee who have embraced the city’s design-led vision to change their communities, change their lives and regenerate the city.”

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She added: “Dundee has a reputation as a hub of imagination and innovation that will continue to build as ambitious projects for the city come to fruition, not least the spectacular V&A and Waterfront redevelopment.”

Earlier this month it was revealed the cost of building the V&A museum has risen by more than £30 million.

The previously approved budget for the construction of the museum was £49 million but the total building cost has now been revealed by the city council as £80.11 million.