MRC to run Aberdeen City Garden Project Competition

MRC has been appointed to run a design competition by the charitable trust overseeing Aberdeen’s new City Garden Project.  Aberdeen City Gardens’ Trust aims to revitalise Aberdeen’s city centre by creating a new green setting, new civic and cultural facilities and rationalising existing road and railway links.

MRC will shape the design brief for the project (in consultation with key stakeholders), develop the design criteria, advise on jury selection, launch and promote the competition and manage the tender process.

It is anticipated that the competition will be formally launched in April and shortlisted designs will be available for public consultation by the end of September 2011.

Malcolm Reading said: ‘This design competition to revitalise the area in and around Union Terrace Gardens is an opportunity to shape the future, creating a more pleasing green setting in the city’s centre with a new dynamic which will refresh and delight citizens and visitors.’

‘A design competition sends out a strong message of civic vitality and imaginative thinking.  It indicates that Aberdeen has kept its appetite for success.  The competition will create a buzz, a sense of something happening, interest from around the world, global media attention, local dialogue and an enriched environment.’

Tom Smith, director of the Trust and chair of Aberdeen City and Shire Economics Future, added: ‘Getting the right design and the right design team is critical – with a strong shortlist we will be able to see how the strategic, central location can be radically transformed to regenerate the city centre.’ 

‘The City Garden Project will deliver on its promises of a bigger and brighter garden, open space for cultural and recreational activities, restoring and retaining key parts of our history and heritage, making it easier for people to get around; all of which will in turn, help stimulate jobs and prosperity.’