Six cities sign up to shared vision for Scotland
Leaders from Scotland’s Six Cities today (Thursday, May 19) joined forces to sign a pledge in support of a shared vision of success for Scotland.
At a historic meeting in Stirling, Scotland’s cities – Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Dundee, Glasgow, Inverness and Stirling – launched Scotland’s first Six Cities: Shared Vision pledge.
The Vision pledge – the first the cities have issued jointly – focuses on their shared economic ambitions and priorities. It identifies six key areas for partnership with the Scottish Government to deliver long-term and sustainable growth.
The Vision focuses on:
Driving forward this shared vision of a successful, inclusive and sustainable Scotland will make our cities stronger on the international stage, provide more opportunities and maximise the potential of their educational institutions.
The six cities joint working has been facilitated through SCDI, Scotland’s leading independent economic development network.
SCDI Chief Executive, Dr Lesley Sawers said:
“Scotland’s cities are the economic, cultural, social and intellectual powerhouses of Scotland. They are distinct and different but their success is essential to Scotland’s long-term future.
“The success of our cities is vital to the regions and rural communities that surround them. The Six Cities pledge is an opportunity for all of Scotland’s cities to work with each other, the Scottish Government and other organisations to deliver our shared ambitions for economic success.”
Commenting on the Six Cities Vision pledge:
Cllr Kate Dean, Convener of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure, Aberdeen City Council:
“Aberdeen is one of the major drivers of the Scottish and UK economies, with a world-class concentration of technological and academic excellence and a highly skilled workforce.
“The city is a major player on the international stage - and as Scotland now competes for business in a global economy, it makes perfect sense for us to contribute our global reach to the Six Cities alliance. Together, we can encourage the Scottish Government to give the cities maximum support to help boost the whole country.”
Cllr Ken Guild, Leader, Dundee City Council:
“Dundee city's recent track record has been enviable, with the multimillion pound transformation of the waterfront and the work to bring a world-class facility for the V&A@Dundee.
“There are success stories from Scotland's other cities that we can learn from. We share SCDI's vision of a successful Scotland as a place to work, live, innovate, study and visit and I am happy that Dundee will be able to play its part in pushing for the right level of empowerment and strategic support.”
Cllr Jenny Dawe, Leader, City of Edinburgh Council:
“Edinburgh and Glasgow have demonstrated for many years that working collaboratively is a potent recipe for success.
“Extending this approach to all cities across Scotland will significantly enhance the nation's international competitiveness.”
Cllr Gordon Matheson, Leader, Glasgow City Council:
“Scotland’s cities are the powerhouse of the Scottish economy, attracting investment, creating growth and providing jobs. As a country we lag behind other countries when it comes to investing in our cities and we must try to catch up. I am delighted to work with the leaders of Scotland’s other cities to push the Scottish Government for ambitious cities policy and new investment. Scotland can only prosper if our cities prosper and that won’t happen by accident.”
Cllr Jimmy Gray, Provost of Inverness, Highland Council:
“The Highland Council is pleased to be a signatory to this vision pledge. The Council recognises that Inverness benefits from a strong Highland economy and the wider Highlands benefits from a strong Inverness. We are particularly keen on improving the transport links to the other Scottish cities to further the economic well-being of Scotland as a whole.”
Cllr Graham Houston, Leader, Stirling Council:
“I am delighted to sign this agreement. By working together we can build successful cities and a successful Scotland, and create opportunities for a bright future. Stirling is Scotland's vibrant and historic heart, and a fitting place for this historic vision to be signed.”
SCDI is Scotland's leading economic development organisation representing 1,200 companies, SMEs, public sector bodies, charities, trade unions and faith groups. SCDI's aim is to influence and inspire government and key stakeholders to create sustainable economic prosperity for Scotland.
Scotland’s six cities act as hubs for Scotland’s business, tourism, social and cultural life. Evidence is growing on the importance of cities to creating sustainable economic growth while governments and investors see cities as key drivers of both regional and national economies, offering solutions to the social and environmental challenges of the 21st century.
Despite accommodating just 27% of Scotland’s population, Scotland’s cities produce:
In November 2010, SCDI’s Cities Conference brought together Scotland’s Six Cities. The conference was attended by more than 100 delegates, including business leaders, senior civil servants, politicians, academics and local authority representatives and focused on the role of Scotland’s cities individually and collectively as key drivers of our nation’s future economy.
Key issues for Scotland’s cities identified and debated at the November conference included:
How do they compete effectively on a UK and international basis?
What will ensure they are vibrant and successful places to live, work and visit?
How do we maximise their combined strengths yet celebrate their diversity?
How can Scotland's cities become a powerhouse of new innovation, and a major support for Scotland's businesses?
How can Scotland’s cities be sustainable and meet carbon reduction targets
How do Scotland’s cities maximise their connectivity with each other and with international markets?
At the Six Cities Conference, Professor Duncan MacLennan of St Andrews University made the case for a clearer, more concise articulation of city policy for Scotland and greater strategic decision making which delivered competitiveness and social justice. He also identified potential to change the community and environmental planning vision.
The OECD makes recommendations on policy for cities. These include:
The Centre for Cities report, Cities Outlook 2011, identified Scotland’s major cities as being in better shape to avoid a double-dip recession than those elsewhere in the UK. The report identified the importance of giving cities more power and flexibility to respond in more flexible ways to challenges and identify and support growth.