Sir Ian Wood warns of bleak future for Aberdeen
January 25 2010
Fearful of a post-oil world Wood warns of a: “depleted economic legacy” unless alternative industries see investment, pointing out that a lack of public sector funding over the past 20 years was seen to have disadvantaged the Granite City.
Outlining a potential alternative to this bleak future Wood wants to see Aberdeen positioned as a renewables capital and investment made in city centre facilities and transport to dissuade industry from relocating elsewhere.
Aberdeen currently has amongst the highest levels of economic output in the UK thanks to oil, but this is predicted to run out within 20 years.
RMJM are currently working on a concept design for the Aberdeen Renewable Energy Centre, a seafront energy education and research centre and plans for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, a bypass around the city centre, have been approved by the Scottish Government.
5 Comments
#1 Posted by jaco justice on 25 Jan 2010 at 19:45 PM
Sir Ian's vision to help Aberdeen become a "mini-Houston of the eastern hemisphere" is an admirable stance economically. But why we have to ACTUALLY mimic the style and layout of the spectacularly bland downtown o 'er Stateside is the stuff of nightmares. Aberdeen University is some 500yrs old. The mature trees in Union Terrace Gardens near 200yrs old. Perhaps Sir Ian should educate himself with European cities that truly inspire through their civic upkeep + responsibility to such important heritage sites, rather than gawking at garish "modern" America with sweaty palms.
#2 Posted by jaco justice on 25 Jan 2010 at 20:01 PM
background.. http://www.urbanrealm.com/features/268/Why_Union_Square_Divides_Aberdeen.html
#3 Posted by E Merz on 25 Jan 2010 at 23:19 PM
Well said Jaco. He's gotta have to come to his senses. No, the city council has got to come to its senses and put an end to this madness. i like his desperate sounding warnings though, shifted from being all vibrant and exciting. For the future! Well it seems like people aren't really so impressed by this big empty square after all. They see through the surface, nothing new there... Get down to earth wood.
#4 Posted by Bill Boggia on 19 May 2010 at 23:47 PM
News today 19th May 2010 that Aberdeens councillors have voted for Ian Woods project. IMO to call them co*ksucking corporate whores would be an insult to people who work the streets - who at least are honest enough to admit they're screwing you for money.
#5 Posted by tvkhuommbee on 5 Nov 2011 at 12:15 PM
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