A consultant charged with getting the public interested in the proposed overhaul of Aberdeen City Centre this week stressed that the plans belong to them and urged all residents to get involved.
Kevin Murray, director of consulting firm Kevin Murray Associates, was brought in by Aberdeen City Council to engage residents over the city centre masterplan.
So far, more than 1,000 people turned up to public consultations in the Academy Shopping Centre this week, with today the last day of the exhibition.
Ideas for the upgrade include a public square at Castlegate, the pedestrianisation of part of Union Street and the transformation of Golden Square and Bon Accord Square into new green spaces.
Mr Murray, who has been involved in similar projects in Glasgow and Edinburgh, spoke about Aberdeen’s attitude to change.
He said: “There is a healthy Scottish scepticism about change, but at the same time people are passionate about their city, they want to be able to show it off to visitors.”
“Aberdeen has not had as much change as other cities in recent decades so we’re getting people used to the idea.”
He said the project belong to Aberdeen’s residents and not designers.
“The question is not do people like the plan designers have come up with, it is their plan.
“We read all feedback that is given to us.
“We want to bring together different interests to help them understand each other, such as arts and culture versus parking, shops versus residents and buses versus cyclists.
“A shop owner may be sceptical about residents but they need to see those residents will be the patrons of the shop.”
Objectives for the city centre were agreed upon late last year following talks with the public, with broader employment opportunities, more homes and a greater cosmopolitan feel on the wish list.
A report on the draft masterplan is due to be considered by the city council early in the summer.