The preferred bidder to develop a masterplan and delivery programme for Aberdeen city centre has been chosen.

From a shortlist of six, Aberdeen City Council has selected Building Design Partnership (BDP) as the preferred bidder.

BDP will be responsible for preparing a phased transformational masterplan for the city centre, which also includes proposals for the Denburn Balley area, and the associated delivery programme.

The masterplan will be a template for the sustainable development of the area and will help to define the future needs of the city in order to meets its aspirations and ambitions, the local authority has said.

In addition to the above, the masterplan will also include areas such as the east and west gateways of Castlegate and Holburn; the potential offered by the North Dee/Palmerston area; future proposals for Aberdeen Harbour; and transport and connectivity. It will also make recommendations on the distribution of land uses across the masterplan area, plus preferred locations for specific development opportunities and supporting amenities.


Welcoming the appointment, Deputy Council Leader and Chair of the City Centre Regeneration Board, Marie Boulton, said: "I am really pleased that we have reached the stage of appointing a preferred bidder so quickly. The City Centre Regeneration Board was established to bring the public and private sectors together to identify what our city centre needs to rejuvenate it and to make it an exciting, attractive place where people want to be.

"We cannot simply wave a magic wand to improve the city centre, but with BDP's expertise and by consulting widely with the public and other stakeholders, we can identify a range of projects which will make a marked and very positive difference to the city centre.

"Regeneration of our city centre is essential for Aberdeen and I am very pleased that Councillors unanimously agreed to select this firm of experts, which has considerable experience of working in the public realm, as the preferred bidder to deliver a masterplan and delivery programme for the regeneration of the city centre."

Scott Mackenzie, BDP Director of Architecture, added: "BDP is absolutely delighted to have been chosen to assist Aberdeen City Council to prepare a new vision and delivery programme for the city centre. This project is an exciting and stimulating challenge and represents a real opportunity to re-energise Aberdeen; a city where we have a rich and continuing legacy of work."

(JP/CD)