Board of Architecture and Design Scotland view Aberdeen development
11/03/13
The board of Architecture and Design Scotland is visiting Aberdeen today to see how the city is developing, as part of a programme of visits across Scotland.
The board, including Aberdeen City Council's masterplanning and design team leader Sandy Beattie, will tour the city centre, taking in the Green Townscape Heritage Initiative area, Union Street, Union Terrace Gardens, Triple Kirks, Aberdeen Art Gallery, St Nicholas House and the Town House.
They will then tour the new University of Aberdeen library before heading to Marischal College for a City Centre Challenges Workshop, which will include presentations from Robert Gordon University principal Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski and the council's head of planning and sustainable development Dr Margaret Bochel.
Council leader Barney Crockett and Development Management Sub-committee convener Councillor Ramsay Milne will accompany the board, along with members of the council's planning and sustainable development team.
Jim MacDonald, chief executive of Architecture and Design Scotland said: "The Board of Architecture and Design Scotland is visiting Aberdeen today to gain a greater understanding of the city council's vision for the city and how they are working with their partners to realise it.
"This visit is part of an series of visits the Board is making to places across Scotland as part of their efforts to gain a greater understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing our towns and cities and how Architecture and Design Scotland help our partners across the country meet these."
Councillor Milne said: "I welcome the Board's visit to Aberdeen today. There is a lot happening in the city, with a huge amount of interest in development, not only in the city centre but across Aberdeen. It is important that Architecture and Design Scotland can gain an understanding of what's happening across the country and the challenges faced by all local authorities so that it can lend any appropriate support.
"This visit presents a welcome opportunity for us to show off some recent Aberdeen achievements as well as challenges facing the city, and find out what Architecture and Design Scotland can do to support plans for regeneration."