The regeneration expert appointed to help drive forward the Aberdeen City Centre Masterplan (CCMP) said the city can compete on a global stage.

Marc Cole, who has successfully delivered major projects across the UK, said the journey towards creating an even more vibrant heart had already started.

The CCMP, unanimously approved by Aberdeen City Council in June 2015, aims to build on the city’s reputation as a global business and leisure destination.

It outlines 49 catalytic economic, infrastructure, environmental and community projects to kick start a 25 year regeneration programme.
The Marischal Square and Aberdeen Art Gallery projects are under construction and the Music Hall refurbishment is about to start. Development briefs are being prepared to the Station Gateway and Denburn Valley.

Mr Cole has a successful track record in delivering large scale infrastructure, economic development, housing and cultural projects in places like Manchester, Merseyside, Bradford and Nottingham.

He believes Aberdeen could draw inspiration from around the world – from the dynamism of Reykjavík in Iceland to New York’s parks and public realm spaces.

Mr Cole said delivering the Masterplan would require the local authority to work alongside the private and voluntary sectors, and with key stakeholders like Aberdeen Inspired, Opportunity North East, Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, and the Trinity Group.

The City Centre Director said:

“It’s about building on what is already here as opposed to coming in and starting afresh because Aberdeen is already a great UK city.
I was staggered by the quality of the built environment and architecture, and the wonderful townscape.

There is an intrinsic attractiveness to the place but I don’t think we currently make enough of what we have.

What the City Centre Masterplan seeks to do is transform the city centre into a place where people want to live, work and spend their spare time.

We are rolling out the biggest regeneration programme in the city’s history.”