A Greener, More Resilient Future for Dundee
The Murraygate is one of Dundee’s busiest and most historic streets, and it is now at the heart of a major transformation that aims to create a more vibrant, attractive, and climate‑resilient city centre. As part of the wider Eastern Quarter redevelopment, improvements on Murraygate focus on creating greener public spaces, supporting local businesses, and introducing innovative approaches to managing rainwater and reducing flood risk.
A Key Part of Dundee’s Eastern Quarter Improvements
The Murraygate project is one of several priority initiatives within the Eastern Quarter, an area undergoing a coordinated programme of public‑realm upgrades. These projects recognise that streets make up around 80% of Dundee’s public space and therefore play a central role in shaping the city’s liveability, climate resilience, and economic vitality.
By redesigning streets such as Murraygate with nature, people, and sustainability in mind, Dundee is working toward a greener and more welcoming city centre for everyone.
Managing Water Sustainably
A major focus of the redevelopment is the introduction of blue‑green infrastructure—features that use plants, soils and open water to slow, store, and naturally treat rainfall. These improvements help the city cope with heavier and more frequent downpours brought by climate change.
What’s Changing on Murraygate?
The Murraygate upgrade will include new drainage measures such as:
- Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) to reduce surface‑water flooding and lessen pressure on the underground sewer network.
- Above‑ground features like rain gardens, planted areas, permeable surfacing, and redesigned street landscaping that manage rainwater at the surface while making the street greener and more enjoyable.
- Improved water‑flow routes, helping rainwater move safely through the city and towards the River Tay during intense storm events.
These nature‑based systems not only reduce flood risk – they also boost biodiversity, cool the city during hot weather, and make the Murraygate a more relaxing and attractive place to spend time.
Supporting the Water Resilient Dundee Strategy
The Murraygate improvements play a vital role in delivering the objectives of Water Resilient Dundee (WRD), a partnership between Dundee City Council and Scottish Water. WRD sets out a citywide vision for tackling climate change by rethinking how Dundee manages water.
Here’s how the Murraygate redevelopment contributes:
1. Reducing Flood Risk
WRD aims to lower both surface‑water and out‑of‑sewer flood risk across the city. New SuDS and blue‑green features on Murraygate help achieve this by capturing rainwater before it reaches the sewer system.
2. Preparing for More Extreme Rainfall
Climate change is already bringing more intense downpours. WRD calls for new drainage approaches that can handle these events. Murraygate’s above‑ground systems provide extra capacity where it’s needed most.
3. Freeing Up Sewer Capacity for Growth
By removing surface water from the combined sewer system, Murraygate upgrades free up space for future development—supporting Dundee’s regeneration and WRD’s long‑term growth strategy.
4. Enhancing the Natural Environment
Both WRD and the Eastern Quarter strategy emphasise drainage solutions that enrich the environment. The new landscaping along Murraygate brings nature back into the heart of the city.
A More Liveable, Attractive City Centre
The Murraygate redevelopment is designed to deliver benefits that go far beyond drainage. By integrating greenery, improving walkability, and creating more inviting public spaces, the project aims to support local businesses, encourage footfall, and strengthen community pride.
These improvements form a key part of Dundee’s vision for a climate‑resilient, thriving, and people‑focused city centre – a place where residents, visitors, and businesses can all flourish.