Union Street schools project shortlisted for prestigious planning award

28 September 2019

A project that saw conservation planners working with school children to produce shopfront designs for Union Street has been shortlisted for a second national award.  

The Aberdeen City Council – Union Street CARS – Schools Shopfront Design Project has been named as a finalist in the “People” category at the Scottish Government’s Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning. 

The schools project was developed by the Council, the Aberdeen Urban Studies Trust, and the Aberdeen City Heritage Trust, and supported by The Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment and the Aberdeen Society of Architects.  

It was taken forward as part of the Union Street Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme and culminated in a public exhibition at Aberdeen Arts Centre. 

Nearly 400 youngsters from six primary schools – Albyn, Heathryburn, Kittybrewster, Middleton Park, Robert Gordon’s College and Skene Square – drew up designs ranging from a pet shop with a dog assault course to a music shop with on-site tuition to a retailer specialising in space toys.  

The project was a finalist in the “Excellence in Planning for Heritage and Culture category” at the Royal Town Planning Institute Awards of Planning Excellence earlier this year.  

The £2.4 million CARS programme is jointly funded by Aberdeen City Council and Historic Environment Scotland with further backing from Aberdeen Inspired. Grants are available to help pay for repairs and renovations.  

More information on the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning can be found here.