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Presentation day and time |
Tuesday, 8 July: Seminar 1, C (2): 3.304.00pm |
Dr. MariaLaura Di Domenico, University of Westminster (London) and Dr. Francesco Di Domenico, Architect, Hypostyle Architects (London)
Space and leisure as regenerative elements of an urban cityscape: the case of the Centre for Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA)
This paper explores the case of the Centre
for Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA) in terms of its contribution
to the urban regeneration of the centre of the City of Dundee
in Scotland. It discusses the success of the cultural centre
as a regenerative tool in terms of both the planning and conception
of the building in relation to its surroundings as an extension
of the cityscape, and also its multifunctional use incorporating
many elements of leisure and education within a defined space.
This case study examines the context-specific features of urban
place and setting. This serves to provide a framework for the
focus on the use of space within a building that serves as both
a visitor attraction and cultural centre for the local population.
It is argued that the DCA contains
various themes which relate to the changes in the city, which
has been reinvented from its industrial roots as a predominantly
jute and linen manufacturing centre, to a new centre of student
activity, advanced technology and tourism. The DCA serves to
juxtapose elements of change and fluidity against those of stability
and continuity which reflect its setting. The former is illustrated
by the incorporation of spaces for leisure-based consumption
such as cinema, temporary contemporary exhibitions and restaurant
areas. The latter is represented by the use of space for activities
as part of the consumption of work, education or residence, exemplified
by the office accommodation, the art and textile studios and
the flatlets which are part of the building. Both of these themes
or functions are integrated within the same structure, which
together with its key location within the city, has resulted
in the DCA's success. Its eclectic use of space stands in contrast
to the more restricted focus and single themes of some other
less successful city-centre buildings that were also constructed
as visitor attractions and as spaces for public consumption and
regeneration.
It is argued in this paper that
within the context of cities such as Dundee, multifunctional
structures are particularly important as tourist numbers to the
city are not sufficiently high to warrant structures with limited
diversified appeal and which solely operate as visitor attractions.
Spaces for visitors and residents alike overlap and integrate
as areas of both permanence and transition, work and leisure.
MariaLaura Di Domenico is a senior lecturer in tourism at the
University of Westminster. She is also an Adviser to the Museums
Association. While completing a PhD at the Scottish Hotel School,
University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, she has been involved in
researching the role definitions and identities of the owners
of small-scale tourism firms in Dundee and Inverness. Her main
research interests involve heritage, museums, small businesses,
entrepreneurship, lifestyle choices and identities. She has recently
published various research papers and has presented her work
at international and national tourism, leisure and hospitality
conferences. Some recent publications relevant to this conference
presentation include: Reimaging the City: Heritage Tourism Strategies
for Regeneration in Dundee in Di Domenico, Law, Skinner and Smith
(eds. ) (2001) 'Boundaries and Identities: Nation, Politics and
Culture in Scotland' University of Abertay Press, pp. 191-214;
The Use of Cultural Heritage Tourism in a Bid to Boost Dundee:
'City of Discovery' or 'Women's City' of Scotland?' in Pforr
and Janeczko (eds. ) (2001) 'Capitalising on Research', CAUTHE,
University of Canberra, pp. 69-83; and Brand Images of Place
and New Urban Identities in Scotland in Horne, J. (ed. ) (2000)
'Leisure, Culture and Commodification' LSA Publication No. 74,
pp. 81-92.
Francesco P. Di Domenico is an architect, a member of the RIBA
and associate of the RIAS. At present, he works for Hypostyle
Architects, Edinburgh, where a diverse project base has included
work for the National Library of Scotland, Herriot-Watt University,
and housing projects such as Crown Street Regeneration in the
Gorbals, Glasgow. He was educated at Strathclyde University where
he attained a BSc. (Hons) in Architecture with European Studies
and an M. Arch in Advanced Architectural Design. Before obtaining
final professional qualification as an architect in November
2001, he worked for Richard Murphy Architects, Edinburgh, on
a number of projects, including the Centre for Dundee Contemporary
Arts (DCA). He later joined Merrylees & Robertson Architects,
Edinburgh where he worked on the adjacent 'Sensation' (Dundee
Science Centre) from conception to completion involving close
collaboration with artists on Sculpture for Art & Architecture.
The unique experience of having worked on two projects in close
geographic proximity although with complementary purposes, at
a time when Dundee was reinventing itself, has had a significant
impact on his understanding of the varying successes of these
building types as regenerative elements in the urban cityscape.
His research interests include the use of space and place in
architecture.