Correspondence: Catherine Di Domenico, School of Social and Health Sciences University of Abertay Dundee DD1 1HG, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1382 308720; Fax: +44 (0) 1382 308749; E-mail: bstcmd@abertay.ac.uk

¹is Professor of Social Development and Director of Postgraduate Research Degrees at the University of Abertay, Dundee. She has conducted research on socio-economic development issues, with a particular focus on both West Africa and Scotland.

²is Lecturer in Organisational Behaviour at the Open University Business School. Her research interests include industrial organisational heritage and urban identities.

Received 4 October 2007; Revised 4 October 2007.

Abstract

This paper explores the use of maritime heritage tourism as a tool for regenerating the post-industrial city of Dundee in relation to its history and to present efforts of re-imaging. Although Dundee has historically benefited from its proximity to the River Tay, since its demise as a port, regeneration strategies so far embraced have tended to focus on the centre, and in particular the development of retail and latterly, the city's new 'cultural quarter'. A new phase in urban renewal has brought about increased interest in the waterfront area which seeks to extend the existing focal point further east down the riverside beyond that of the Discovery Point Heritage Centre which showcases Captain Scott's ship 'The Discovery' as Dundee's main maritime visitor attraction and a key part of the city's former brand campaign as 'City of Discovery'. The city has opted for a multifaceted strategy of development that includes a broader focus on leisure rather than solely heritage tourism per se, perhaps in recognition of the city's inability to establish a buoyant tourism base. Drawing upon original qualitative research, the paper critiques the approach being adopted and analyses the relationship between maritime heritage and a broader emphasis on leisure development. It assesses whether this is likely to promote a sustainable initiative of urban vibrancy and renewal rather than the present reality of a former industrial city in decline.