IT was no surprise to learn that the V&A Dundee reached its target of 500,000 visitors in only six months. Even we curmudgeons who think the actuality falls some distance short of the hype have to accept it’s another significant step in Tayside’s regeneration. The city from which jam, jute and journalism have all but disappeared is well on the road to reinvention. The icing on Dundee’s cake was to be named best place to live in Scotland. Help ma Boab, did the Wall Street Journal really pick Oor Wullie’s birth place as “Scotland’s Coolest City”?

The gurgling sound you hear is those words sticking in the throat of a born and bred Aberdonian. In this modern tale of two cities, there’s little doubt which one can look forward to the best of times.

In contrast, Aberdeen has failed to exploit the advantages bestowed by geological and geographical accident. Oil and gas brought unprecedented wealth and prosperity to the North East. The evidence is still here; from over-priced housing to the infestation of 4x4 vehicles designed to combat kangaroos in the Australian outback, but now choking city roads.

The bonanza brought personal prosperity to many. Unfortunately, it also created arrogant complacency that ignores the finite nature of oil and gas. The absence of civic vision and investment is immediately obvious, even to the casual visitor. The city centre is dispirited and downtrodden. Aberdeen may well be unique amongst the world’s “energy hubs” in its failure to exploit the windfall to enhance its appearance, facilities and cultural life.

Having lived in the Aberdeen area all my life, I cannot name a single building of architectural merit constructed in that time. When presented with an open goal to enhance two of the city’s most important historical buildings, the council again missed the target, opting for another nondescript retail development.

Compared to its southern neighbour, Aberdeen is a cultural desert. Its art gallery has been closed for years for “redevelopment”. Despite BP’s welcome pledge of £1million, funding for the project is far from secure. The demise of the successful and colourful International Youth Festival was precipitated by the withdrawal of council funding. The city’s Arts Centre operates on a shoestring budget, relies on volunteers and cannot hold a candle to Dundee’s vibrant Contemporary Arts (DCA) facility. Little wonder Aberdeen’s2017 bid to be the UK City of Culture was laughed out of court. The judges’ verdict that the bid lacked “coherent vision”, was the understatement of the year.

Sure, it can be argued that the new concert, conference and exhibition hub nearing completion is a symbol of the city’s ambition. Yet, it’s unlikely to generate the community and grassroots involvement that is the strength of DCA. As my late mother would have put it, “Fur coat and nae knickers”.

Read more: V&A Dundee hits half million visitors six months ahead of schedule

Aberdeen’s efforts at development have lacked the synergy that is evident on Tayside. Dundee has recovered from the loss of its principal industries by coordinating and building on modern strengths. The technologies of the 21st century have replaced the printing presses, looms and production lines.

The interrelationship of education, entrepreneurship, creativity, design and technology has laid the foundations of Dundee’s economic recovery and regeneration. The critical synergy is embodied in the success of enterprises such as 4J Studios, the brainchild of entrepreneurs Paddy Burns and Chris van der Kuyl. In turn that is helping drive the 30-year, £1 billion Waterfront development.

Those of us who love Aberdeen and care deeply about its future cannot help but worry about what lies ahead. There is little evidence of a coherent economic strategy when the well runs dry. The region’s economy is still very much a one trick pony and to date there is little sign of the forward thinking and diversification evident on Tayside.

Aberdeen has been poorly served by administrations of varying political hues. The Scottish Government however, is not blameless for the lack of a Plan B for the Granite City. Aberdeen has been consistently short-changed by central government’s annual funding allocation. The Scottish Government rightly berated successive UK administrations for their failure to establish an equivalent of the $1 trillion Norwegian Sovereign Fund. The fund has enabled Norwegians to invest their metaphorical and literal fortune for the benefit of present and future generations.

The Scottish Government is failing to secure the future of the Aberdeen area. Millions have flowed from the area to fund developments in the central belt and beyond. Damnably little has been re -invested to prepare Aberdeen for life after oil. While the much-delayed Aberdeen bypass was welcome, Aberdeen was bypassed long before the road was complete.

It’s still not too late. Oil and gas will flow from the North Sea for years yet. Local and national politicians can still make the case for a north-east sovereign fund to secure the area’s economic and cultural future. They could do worse than follow the road and miles to Dundee.