Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Vision for Union Street set out with 3D model
PLANS to redesign Dundee’s Union Street have taken a step forward as a 3D model of its potential transformation is revealed.
Over the past three years, Dundee City Council has been working alongside the UNESCO City of Design team to create a concept of how city centre thoroughfare could be improved.
The project, which has been funded by the sustainable transport charity Sustrans, has brought together designers and the local community who have worked in tandem to create the proposal.
It follows on from the closure and pedestrianisation of the street, which was implemented during summer 2020. Five key themes emerged from the process – which included a desire for more green space and landscaping, and a “gateway” introducing people to the location.
Annie Marrs, lead officer for City of Design Dundee, said: “The project has brought together designers and people from the local community.
“The designers developed different tools and methods to help people get their creativity out.
“The first stages were about gathering knowledge of the street and what people what to see.
“The second phase was then thinking about the inspiration behind the design and encourage people to tell us their ideas.
“And through all of that, the designers were able to distil it down into a final proposal that we now have on display.”
The next stage of the project will see the team pitch their ideas to the Scottish Government in a bid to secure the funding needed to make the transformation a reality – with work potentially beginning in early 2025.
Councillor Steven Rome, convener of the fair work, economic growth and infrastructure committee, says he is confident of success. He said: “You can’t underestimate the work that has been done to get to this stage and, going forward, it’s going to have support if we can evidence that.”
The drawings and models will be on display at the Dundee Design House on Union Street until April 19.