As a major consultation into proposals to create a new civic space in the heart of Aberdeen reaches its half way stage organisers are extremely encouraged by the high level of involvement from the people of Aberdeen city and shire.
In the space of just four weeks more than 7000 people have participated in the consultation for The City Square Project, including an impressive 5500 direct responses. The project’s website has had 14,000 hits and almost 1000 people have attended the consultation’s exhibitions to date.
The consultation is seeking to establish people’s views into plans to create a new civic space by redeveloping Aberdeen’s Union Terrace Gardens and Denburn Valley.
The public have also been represented at focus groups to which almost 200 different sectors and organisations have been invited, including the arts community, charities, businesses, hotel and bar trade, festival organisers, music groups, schools, housing associations, senior citizens forums, clubs, community councils, youth projects, utility providers, transport groups, disability organisations, civic societies, MSPs and councillors.
“We have seen an amazing level of participation,” commented Tom Smith, Chairman of ACSEF. “Many of these figures already exceed those of Scotland’s largest consultations and we still have four weeks to run.
“This is clearly a matter which people feel strongly about and I would encourage anyone who hasn’t yet taken the opportunity to state their views. Every submission will be logged as part of the process and will be included in the final consultation report. Please don’t sit back and rely on others to comment – you have the opportunity to shape the future of Aberdeen.”
The proposal is for 5 acres of multi-layered open space, incorporating a civic square, at least 2.5 acres of gardens and trees, and potential for a contemporary arts centre.
More opinions and ideas on The City Square Project will be sought this weekend as the consultation heads for the Bon Accord Centre.
The latest exhibition is one of seven shows being held across the North east as part of the public consultation. This weekend’s event will be open from 9am to 6pm on Friday and Saturday (February 12 and 13).
At the exhibition leaflets about the consultation will be distributed, a presentation of possible designs will be shown and the consultation team will be available to answer questions and hear people’s views. Suggestions so far have ranged from a science centre and a Speaker’s Corner to inclusion of a city heritage centre.
The City Square Project public consultation commenced on 11 January and runs until 5 March 2010 and is designed to engage with as many people in the region as possible. Exhibitions have already been held at Union Square, The Mall (Trinity Centre) and Aberdeen University Students Association in Aberdeen, and at Inverurie town hall.
At the exhibitions people are encouraged to complete a feedback form about the plan. This form is also available online at www.thecitysquareproject.com. Feedback can also be given by email, social networking sites, a freephone number or text messaging service and opinion polls are being conducted.
A consultation report, which will be made public, will be produced once all feedback has been analysed. For the City Square Project to be taken forward to reality and detailed plans for the space prepared there needs to be a groundswell of support.
