How Dundee changed and developed between 1870s and 1970s

Dundee has an unenviable reputation for demolishing much of its historic built environment. Between the 1870s and the 1970s many iconic buildings, streets and landmarks were lost as central Dundee underwent various redevelopments that greatly altered the character of the city. While this has come to be seen as civic vandalism on an epic scale, hindsight has clouded the fact that many Dundonians welcomed these changes when they happened and that the reasons behind them were often complex.

Starting with the massive alterations to the town centre that followed in the wake of the Dundee Improvement Act of 1871, this talk by Dr Kenneth Baxter, a well-known local historian based in Dundee University Archive Services, will explore how and why the core of Dundee's centre was reshaped over a century, noting the economic, social and political factors that shaped these changes. It will also explore how Dundonians' view of the city's built heritage and its importance evolved over this time.

This talk will take place in the Dundee Art Society Roseangle Gallery, starting at 7.00 pm. Guests are always welcome and there will be the opportunity to chat over a glass of wine afterwards.

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