Design workshops in Scotland develop sustainable communities

International designer Andres Duany is to run design workshops, known as 'charrettes' in Scotland to create new housing developments, community facilities and office and school transport links.

The large and small scale projects are taking part in a Scottish Government initiative to develop sustainable communities that offer residents a high quality of life on a low-carbon footprint.

The Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative was launched in June 2008 to encourage the creation of communities where people can have a high quality of life while reducing their carbon footprint.

Eleven projects across Scotland were selected in May 2009 and awarded recognition that they are working towards creating a Scottish sustainable community.

These were An Camas Mor in Aviemore, Craigmillar in Edinburgh, Grandhome & Whitestripes in Aberdeen, Knockroon in Cumnock, Ladyfield in Dumfries, Lochgelly in Fife, Maryhill Locks in Glasgow, Raploch in Stirling, Speirs Locks in Glasgow, Tornagrain near Inverness and Whitecross in Linlithgow.

Duany will work with Ladyfield in Dumfries, Grandhome & Whitestripes in Aberdeen and Lochgelly in Fife. The charrettes will run for three weeks in March 2010 and will involve intensive events focusing on project design.

The Ladyfield project in Dumfries looks to offer up to 400 new energy efficient homes and large and small business premises to allow people to live within walking distance to work.

A major urban expansion is envisaged for the North side of Aberdeen, with the possibility of building 7,000 new homes in a series of live and work neighbourhoods.

In Fife, plans are being developed for to extend Lochgelly with 1,750 new homes and environmentally friendly connections to the existing town centre.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "Creating sustainable communities will help us become less reliant on fuel consumption and boost our standard of living."

Further information:
The Scottish Government