SIR, – The Aberdeen Architects Network Group represents its members, all chartered architects, who practise in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
Naturally, we welcome developments – especially in these straitened times – which embrace high-quality design with discernible benefits to the wider community.
At our monthly meeting on December 8, we discussed the City Square project and came to the conclusion, unanimously, that the proposals were seriously flawed and inappropriate for this iconic site.
The generous offer from Sir Ian Wood is appreciated, but his stipulation that the new “square” must be at Union Street level, effectively obliterating the gardens and derailing the proposed Peacock Visual Arts Centre, makes a mockery of the much-publicised “feasibility study”.
For this reason, we agreed to support wholeheartedly your correspondent Malcolm S. Webster (Letters, December 7) in his suggestion that the future of this historic site should be decided by holding an architectural competition which would allow all options to be considered.
A two-stage competition would encourage debate and give Aberdonians the opportunity to influence the choice of the finalists. We believe this approach would inspire architects to prepare plans with the vision to attract public support and deliver a first-class development.
George W. Simpson,
chartered architect,
Tulloford Mill,
Oldmeldrum.
(For and on behalf of the Aberdeen Architects Network Group)
SIR, – Would the closure of the Aberdeen Environmental Education Centre be the best way to mark the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen?
Last year, over 5,000 school pupils took part in activities arranged by the centre.
Perhaps best known in Aberdeen for its Victorian schoolroom and street trails for schools, the environmental education centre is also nationally renowned for its educational resources for health, energy and the environment, like the Energy Zone, Getting in Shape and the Countryside Classroom on Wheels.
It is the best way for children to explore life in Aberdeen during Victorian times and World War II, including visits to a preserved Victorian classroom and an air-raid shelter.
First-hand experience is the best way for children to learn about history, housing, the natural environment and global citizenship. The new curriculum for excellence demands more such resources and taking learning outdoors.
Aberdeen cannot afford to cut its environmental education centre, particularly at a time when children need more understanding of how people are changing the world’s environment.
Acting locally means environmental education in Aberdeen.
Elizabeth and Neil Curtis,
26 Loanhead Terrace,
Aberdeen.
SIR, – The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a scientific organisation, but importantly it does not conduct research.
Thousands of scientists put forward their work to the IPCC for review on a voluntary basis. This work will represent differing points of view.
The IPCC, contrary to M. Wood’s letter (the Press and Journal, December 5), is not a policy-driven organisation, it is policy neutral. Given its makeup, it could not be otherwise. It would be interesting to see if M. Wood has any credible evidence to the contrary.
I also feel people are a little confused about the nature of science. Science is not a debate; it is an objective system of establishing a hypothesis given a set of assumptions and/or facts. You ask a question, propose a hypothesis and test this experimentally. Whether you like the answer or not is irrelevant.
In the course of my work, I have read and applied many scientific reports and papers. As one familiar with this literature I am confident that the case for man-made climate change is proven. There is little work to the contrary.
I would acknowledge that issues such as “climategate” do not help. People are apt to misinterpret, depending on their beliefs, and not according to fact, as has happened here.
Jim Reilly,
I The Courtyard,
Mill of Colp,
Turriff.
SIR, – Sincere congratulations to Gemma Harris, whose poem led to Aberdeen being shortlisted in a competition for the honour of having the city twinned with Walt Disney World in Florida (the Press and Journal, December 8).
The fact that the award went to Swindon must have come as a disappointing blow to members of Aberdeen City Council who will miss out on the opportunity to visit Florida in order to attend the various twinning events which undoubtedly would have flowed from a successful bid.
However, they should not be too disappointed as they can take solace in the fact that they have been living in a Disney World of their own creation for some considerable time.
George S. Morrison,
53 Overton Circle,
Dyce, Aberdeen.
SIR, – BBC TV and radio news reports have claimed that a recent poll has shown that 63% of Scots consider climate change to be an immediate and urgent problem.
We were then invited to visit their website to view the detailed poll results.
Anyone visiting the poll results on the website would see the significant distortion that the broadcast claim represents.
When asked what they regarded as the most important issues facing Scotland, participants rated global warming only seventh, behind such issues as unemployment, the economy, crime, education and health.
In fact, only 2% of respondents considered environment/climate change as such an issue.
This indicates that the reported interpretation of poll results depends largely on what the BBC wants the poll to show.
G.M. Lindsay,
Whinfield Gardens,
Kinross.
SIR, – Unacceptable, dangerous, frightening, disastrous – the crowding on the trains between Aberdeen and Inverness is a public disgrace.
I have witnessed it first-hand and I am shocked.
Margaret R. Grimley,
18 Old Road,
Huntly.