The organisers behind the Dundee Design Festival have revealed plans to make this year's festival one of the most sustainable of its kind in the world.
Dundee Design Festival 2024 will take place at the Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc in the Baldovie area of the city, from 23-29 September.
This year's festival is gearing up to mark a significant milestone as it commemorates the city's 10th anniversary as a UNESCO City of Design.
Collaborating with esteemed local and international partners, including V&A Dundee, who have donated parts from the recent Tartan exhibition, and Bard, who have also donated parts from The Grit and the Glamour, the festival is set to repurpose exhibition materials, as well as integrate sustainable energy solutions courtesy of Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc.
Organisers have also revealed that there will also be electric public transport for the festival, facilitated by Ember.
These initiatives signify the festival's commitment to environmental responsibility, aiming to limit the use of new materials in its construction to no more than 30%.
The festival hopes it will cement Dundee's image as not only a beacon of creativity and innovation, but a leading city which aims to become a sustainable .
Organisers promise an ambitious and optimistic showcase of design-centered exhibitions, events, and projects, reflecting Dundee's unwavering commitment to shaping the future through design excellence.
Annie Mars, the lead officer at UNESCO City of Design Dundee said:
“We are surrounded by a strong and successful design community here in Dundee. One of the reasons Dundee was designated a UNESCO City of Design is the city’s commitment to design and innovation driving our commitment to sustainable development. It’s natural for us to want to create one of the world’s most sustainable design festivals and ensure that the best in design is showcased to as many people as possible.
There is lots of great work being done in this field, but the impact of temporary festivals can be significantly negative on our environment. I believe that DDF 24 can be a case study in how cultural organisations and businesses can collaborate to lower their collective carbon footprint.
Everything we do is shaped by the values of the UNESCO Creative Cities mission statement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Whenever we embark on a project, we ask ourselves ‘What difference will this make?’ and we consider how what we do locally helps to achieve a global impact.”
