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COMING SOON: DESIGNS FOR CREATING A NEW GREEN SPACE FOR THE CITY OF ABERDEEN

You are invited to the public exhibition of the designs at the The Academy,
from 19th October to 2nd November 2011.

The City Garden Project will create a new urban park and civic space in the heart of Aberdeen which will combine an imaginative and inspiring landscape design with improved paths and transport connections to the key parts of the city. This new public space will also provide a home for an international arts centre and offer the opportunity for year-round events and gatherings.

The project will:

  • Improve access to the core of the site − the existing Union Terrace Gardens − and cover over the busy Denburn dual carriageway and railway line
  • Enrich the city with a larger landscaped green space which will be designed for year-round interest and animated with water and light features
  • Use the natural topography of the site to follow the level changes from Union Terrace to Belmont Street with stepped and sweeping landscaping
  • Feature a natural amphitheatre to provide a civic space for major outdoor events, gatherings, festivals and concerts
  • Deliver an inspirational building to house arts and cultural exhibitions, events and activities

City Garden Project: Myth-Busters - click here

Since Sir Ian Wood announced his intention to pledge £50 million towards the transformation of a strategic central location in Aberdeen city over two years ago, there has been substantial media interest, some controversy and a huge amount of mis-information surrounding the project. We attach a “myth-busters” sheet to counter the most common misperceptions.

The attached pdf outlines the project and provides details for the public exhibition of the short-listed designs (19th October to 2nd November). Please do circulate this invitation to your contacts, employees and other stakeholders.

Having secured interest of globally renowned, award-winning design-teams, we are confident that these designs will inspire the public, capture their imagination and put to rest the negative perceptions which have surrounded the project to date.

The overall ambition of the City Garden Project is to transform Aberdeen’s city centre by creating a new, green and vibrant heart that will become a destination for residents and the catalyst for the regeneration of Union Street and its surroundings, ensuring that we attracts new investment, business and people.

This is a project of national significance that is instrumental in helping Aberdeen become a 21st century world energy city. It has the potential to put Aberdeen on the cultural world map and make sure that we continue to punch above our weight in economic contribution to Scotland and the UK.

Following the public exhibition, the jury will select a winning design in mid-November after taking consideration of the feedback from the public and recommendations from an expert technical panel. In December, the winning design and TIF business case will be put forward to Aberdeen City Council. The council will then decide if the project is to proceed to planning.