The results of the public consultation about the proposed City Square Project were released today (Tuesday 13 April 2010).
The project, spearheaded by Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future (ACSEF), proposes the redevelopment of Union Terrace Gardens and the Denburn Valley in Aberdeen city centre. The scheme was the focus of an eight-week public consultation between 11 January and 5 March.
In total 14,543 people from across Aberdeen City and Shire and further afield, were involved in the consultation with 11,943 formal submissions received.
The far-reaching consultation included a raft of initiatives to encourage the public to have their say. These included: exhibitions throughout the City and Aberdeenshire, focus groups with specific sectors of the community, a leaflet sent to all homes within a half mile radius of the proposed development, feedback cards, social media sites as well as a dedicated website, freephone hotline and text messaging service.
In responding to the consultation people were asked to rate the most important features they would like to see in the City Square Project. Green space was the most popular feature followed by a safe and relaxing environment.
Respondents said the most important facility for the space was formal gardens followed by a contemporary arts centre and a cultural centre.
In terms of whether those responding were in support of the City Square Project, public opinion was divided with more people (55%) against the project than for it (44%).Two per cent of people were undecided.
Independent communications organisation Weber Shandwick led the public consultation and produced the consultation report.
Moray Macdonald, Deputy Managing Director of Weber Shandwick, said: “It was vital that as many people as possible had an opportunity to have their views on the project heard. A host of ways for people to give their feedback was provided and we were greatly encouraged by just how many residents took the time to consider the plans and tell us what they thought.”
All of the feedback was analysed and used to prepare City Square Project Public Consultation Report which has been presented to ACSEF. It details every submission and tracks respondents’ favourite city centre features and facilities.
A leaflet summarising the results of the consultation is being distributed to all who took part in the consultation and gave an address. The full consultation report is available on this website. The consultation was commissioned by Scottish Enterprise on behalf of ACSEF. The next step is for the ACSEF Board to consider the findings of the Consultation Report.
