It could be argued that the soulless housing estates and high-rises have contributed to almost intractable social problems
This all changed with the rise of modern functionalism in the 20th century: a belief that designing for function was far more important than consideration of form. Accountants also entered the scene, so the aim was always to build the cheapest structures compatible with function. The results were the box-like housing, the characterless schemes and the concrete jungles of Scotland’s new towns.
These new rural settlements, such as Ullapool, Dunkeld and Grantown-on-Spey, together with the traditionally-built urban centres, are now the mainstay of the tourist industry: people just like the look of these places. You cannot imagine tourists flocking to modern housing estates! And modern cities across the world, with their towering rectangular buildings, and out-of-town shopping centres, tend to all be the same with a rather soulless feel: the presence of people seems to be an afterthought.
Scotland is suffering the fate of everywhere else on the planet: development everywhere, nature in full retreat and no room to breathe. The accountants are winning and Distinctive landscapes and townscapes are being swamped by a soulless uniformity. Why are we letting this happen?We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories.