Union Terrace Gardens

Set just off Aberdeen’s principal retail street, Union Street, Union Terrace Gardens (UTG) is one of the most centrally located city parks in Scotland. Part of a wider strategic vision for the future regeneration of the city centre, the UTG project is central to the delivery of the Aberdeen City Centre Masterplan and a catalyst for wider city redevelopment. LDA Design led a large multi-disciplinary team to successfully deliver this complex and high-profile public garden project which included major engineering works, the construction of new bridge and elevated walkway structures, three new buildings and extensive public realm improvements as part of a holistic urban regeneration vision. The rejuvenation of the former Victorian Garden has created a new landmark contemporary park of regional and national significance. Preceding our team’s involvement, the much-needed regeneration of this key city centre space had seen multiple design teams try and fail to gain public and political support for proposals. In 2010, particularly controversial plans to transform the Gardens with some of the park valley being filled in and built over met with widespread controversy and ultimately, rejection. In 2016, LDA Design and our team of sub-consultants were chosen to reunite the city behind a new design that would reclaim the Gardens for the people of Aberdeen. Known for our sensitive approach to delivering contemporary urban realm projects within historically sensitive settings, in combination with our proven methodology for participatory design and engagement, we approached the brief with a response which would develop the proposals through an extensive programme of engagement with key stakeholders and members of the public. This consultative design approach ensured the overwhelming public and political support for the project, which has facilitated its successful delivery. The principals for the project, derived through engagement, lay focus was on transforming the existing Victorian gardens through a celebration and enhancement of the existing natural and heritage features. Set within Aberdeen’s distinctive Denburn Valley, the existing valley topography and mature landscape is integral to the character of Aberdeen’s city centre. As such, the proposals carefully balanced respect and enhancement of the existing natural assets with the creation of contemporary intervention that deliver new uses to increase footfall, use and enjoyment of the space. In addition, the objectives defined though the participatory design process included; improving accessibility for all; creating new space for events and improving the safety of the gardens through lighting and increasing footfall.