More than 1,000 people voiced their thoughts on £1billion proposals to transform Aberdeen city centre at the weekend.
Over the course of the next two weeks, people will have the opportunity to comment on the proposed city-centre masterplan – which has been described as a “once in a generation” chance to breathe new life into the city.
Some of the key aspects of the proposals would mean the partial pedestrianisation of Union Street and a walkway connecting Union Terrace Gardens with Belmont Street, as well as a public square at Castlegate.
The consultation was launched on Saturday and a series of public events have been organised where the plans will be on display and experts will be on hand to answer any questions.
The first of these was held at the international market, on Union Terrace, on Saturday and was attended by deputy council leader Marie Boulton, who is heading up regeneration in the city, and members of the project team.
Speaking at the event, Ms Boulton said it was vital that the community joined in the consultation process.
She said: “People have been really positive. I’ve spoken to some older people and the things they’re interested in are more basic – like cleanliness and the lighting of the buildings.
“But there is a range of concerns. I’ve spoken to some young ladies who want to see more done to attract young people here and for there to be more on offer as well.
“We want this to resonate with people. It has to reflect public feeling. What we need to do is pool the information we are given through the consultation and turn it into something deliverable.
“People agreed that this was a once in a generation opportunity to transform our city centre for the better which cannot be missed.
“There are events going on right across the city and at different times so as many people as possible can come along. It’s in the interests of every single person to respond – it’s their future.”
The plans have been drawn up by Building Design Partnership, which led an extensive consultation exercise last year.
The council believes the plans could help deliver an additional 11,000 jobs and add £290million to the city’s “gross annual income”.
Today, the masterplan team will be at Cults Learning Centre from 3pm-5pm, and tomorrow Inchgarth and Hanover community centres from 11am-1pm. They will move to Rosemount Learning Centre on Wednesday from 6pm-8pm.
A four-day exhibition of the plans will be held from Wednesday to Saturday at The Academy shopping centre.