Parks, Recreation, and Greenspace in Dundee, Scotland

The first thing anyone should know upon moving to Dundee is that it is a city of contradictions. You might be fooled at first by the jaunty signs proclaiming that we are a “City of Discovery,” or by the advertisements for the newly opened V&A museum. You might stroll along the waterfront and take in a bite to eat at one of the cafes or bars strategically placed near the train station – the town centre is a haven for foodies, with a wide range of restaurants and different styles of cuisine. However, should you decide to wander further into the city, you will find yourself surprised by the contrast. Sprawling schemes of social housing dominate most of the outskirts of Dundee. These housing estates contain the usual shops, take away eateries and the odd green space, but completely lack the modern elegance of the city centre. Dundee gives the impression of a cultural centre, but venture further afield and you will quickly realise that many of the new buildings and attractions are inaccessible to the inhabitants themselves, simply by virtue of being unaffordable. Dundee is certainly a nice place. I’m just not sure you would want to live there.