This short presentation provides background to some of the cities from around the world that have helped to inspire the City Square Project in Aberdeen and the features it could provide.
We are asking people to have a look at these images during the consultation phase to see whether there are any features from other cities that they would like to see, or indeed not see, in Aberdeen.
Visit our consultation website at http://www.thecitysquareproject.com
6. Manchester – Piccadilly Gardens “ Piccadilly Gardens has provided Manchester with a new public space of international standing, a fantastic public amenity that is safe and enjoyable to use” Prime Minister’s Award for Better Public Buildings Judging Panel
7. A transformational project to grow the economy “ With historical roots in cultures all over the world, squares are being rediscovered as a powerful means of transforming communities” Project for Public Spaces, New York
8. Detroit – Campus Martius “ It may be called a Park, but Campus Martius is really that quintessential type of public space - a central square. It's a place that people think of as their own outdoor living room, where they feel connected to their city and fellow citizens” Detroit Mayor’s Taskforce
10. Melbourne – Federation Square “ Great squares and plazas give identity to cities” Project for Public Spaces, New York
11. Public squares form the heart of many great cities around the world . “ When well-designed, they provide a central location for accessible, year-round activity – whether these are as straightforward as eating a bite of lunch, catching some sun, or playing a game of chess, or as elaborate as community celebrations, concerts and political rallies.” Vancouver Public Space Network
12. Raleigh – City Plaza “ The City Plaza will be a public gathering place designed to reinforce Raleigh’s image as being one of the most liveable, high-tech cities in the country.” City of Raleigh Mayor’s Office
14. “ Public squares are engines of cultural and local economy. They are a key factor in fostering community connections and quality of life.” Vancouver Public Space Network
Millennium Park in Chicago was funded through public and private investment. Developed over a disused car park and rail yard it now provides venues for performance, art, sculpture, architecture and landscape architecture – and artist Anish Kapoor’s famous sculpture shown here. The Square have boosted tourism income by over $2bn.
Discovery Green in Houston is a 22 acre development across in what was once a completely no go area in downtown Houston. The City may be on a different scale to ours – there are still valuable lessons to learn from their success. The Mayor led the campaign and established a public private partnership trust which runs Discovery Green today. In the early stage of the development of this project the team studied other successful urban green development – they understood that urban parks attracted people woh want tranquility but also to envcourage activity. Discovery green is committed to sustainable design and operation. It host 400 events annually and has become an important destination in the city – and includes Childrens playground, an amphitheatre. Public sculptures and artworks, interactive water features and spacious green lawns.