Caroline Brodie
The award-winning design team behind London’s Olympic Park will transform Aberdeen’s Union Terrace Gardens into a playground for the 21st century, according to the leader of Aberdeen City Council.
Jenny Laing said she was confident LDA Design would create a space which could be enjoyed by future generations.
It is understood the first images of this new vision will be delivered to the public in time for Christmas.
The firm has been tasked with drawing up detailed plans for the Victorian park which could include an amphitheatre, a bridge linking Belmont Street and Union Terrace and shops and galleries in the arches.
Mrs Laing said the council was “looking to the future” with this project.
She added: “We are asking the designers to come up with a design which will live up to the 21st century.
“We are looking for a park that can be used by all sections of the community at all times of the year.
“I think the design company will come up with that.
“If you look at successful parks created throughout the world they have something with in them that actively attracts people to come in.
“It is about bringing people in to enjoy the space.
“I don’t think anyone is in doubt that Union Terrace Gardens is an asset to be enjoyed by future generations.
“We need to look at what people want and need and deliver that with this plan.”
The design company will use the vision of the city centre masterplan – which was unanimously backed by the council, had cross-party support and was the subject of an extensive public consultation – to come up with their ideas.
Mrs Laing added: “We want to make sure that whatever is done meets the mood of the masterplan itself.
“It is about bringing life into the gardens.”
Mrs Laing said the council had appointed a firm with an “internationally-renowned reputation” who had worked on over 50 parks receiving more than 90 awards.
These projects include Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London and Gorky Park in Moscow.
She added: “I am confident that they will come forward with some exciting plans which will allow the gardens to be used to their full potential and meet the needs of the citizens of Aberdeen.”
Chief executive of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce Russell Borthwick also said it was important to have an experienced firm at the helm to drive forward the plan.
He said: “LDA Design has great global experience in similar projects and its appointment to drive forward this plan is welcome news.”
Mr Borthwick described the redevelopment of the gardens as an “important stage” of the reinvention of the city centre.
He added: “We need a city centre that we can all be proud of; one that will attract people to live, work and visit.
“Yes, there have been letdowns and disappointments, but we can’t continue expending negative energy looking back at what might have been.
“What we all need to do is to see the bigger picture and get behind this vision for an Aberdeen.
“A re-imagined Union Terrace Garden will be part of our legacy to future generations.”
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired also welcomed the plans that involved “positive investment being made in the city”.
He added: “Aberdeen Inspired is keen to continue working with our partner organisations in identifying key aspects for improvement within Union Terrace Gardens.”
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