ACSEF BOARD
SPECIAL MEETING OF ACSEF BOARDTUESDAY 12 MARCH 2013
ROBERTGORDONUNIVERSITY, SCHOOLHILL, ABERDEEN
Present: / Tom Smith
Andrew Booth
Claire Bruce
Dave Blackwood
Colin Crosby
Councillor Barney Crockett
Steve Logan
Stewart Milne
Councillor Jim Gifford
John Michie
Mike Salter
Apologies: / Alfie Cheyne
Ron Cookson
Russel Griggs
Paul de Leeuw
Derek Provan
Rob Wallen
Colin Mackenzie
Bob Collier
In attendance: / Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski
Dr David McClean
Bill Duguid
Derren McRae
David Jennings
Derrick Murray
Valerie Watts
Gordon McIntosh
Stephen Archer
Maggie McGinlay
Martin Barry
Susan Knowles (Minutes) / RobertGordonUniversity
ScottSutherlandSchool of
Architecture and the Built Environment
Ryden (Aberdeen)
CBRE Ltd (Aberdeen)
Aberdeenshire Council
NESTRANS
Aberdeen City Council
Aberdeen City Council
Aberdeenshire Council
Scottish Enterprise
Scottish Enterprise
Scottish Enterprise
1. / Welcome and Apologies
The Chairman thanked Ferdinand von Prondzynski for hosting the meeting of the Board at RGU.
He welcomed Dr David McClean, Head of School - Scott Sutherland School ofArchitecture and the Built Environment, RGU and practitioners from the property sector - Bill Duguid, Regional Managing Partner, Ryden and Derren McRae, Managing Director, CBRE Aberdeen Ltd.
2. / RobertGordonUniversity (RGU) Report
'Regenerating Aberdeen: A Vision for a Thriving and Vibrant City Centre'
. / The Chairman advised that the RGU report 'Regenerating Aberdeen: A Vision for a Thriving and Vibrant City Centre' aimed at stimulating debate and prompt action regarding the future shape and purpose of the city centre, had been launched on 6 March and had been positively received. Given that regeneration of the city centre is one of the key foundations of the ACSEF Action Plan, today’s meeting would discuss the report and next steps.
Ferdinand von Prondzynski introduced the discussion referring to the background behind the establishment of a multi-disciplinary expert group drawn from the university and led by David McClean, the recognition that action required to be taken as regards the city centre and the responsibility incumbent on the University to help ensure that Aberdeen, as its host city, has a successful future. He added that the university could offer an impartial role in taking forward the discussion and actions and that the city currently had a unique window of opportunity to secure its future. He thanked David and his team who had demonstrated that their range of skills can be leveraged to the benefit of the city.
David McClean summarised the four key components of the report.
Section 1 Setting the Context:
- identifying the need for a strategic vision and commitment beyond the lifespan of any one political administration;
- acknowledging and building upon pre-existing work in AberdeenCity and Shire and key messages from this;
- being economically ambition for the area in a post hydro carbon era;
- taking cognisance of the city's uniqueness in an architectural context;
- the opportunity for the city to think proactively; and develop a plan drawing on the experiences of other cities.
Section 2. Key issues
Section 3. Identification of Three Guiding Principles:
- connectivity (connecting people and places);
- multiplicity of use (with different functions co-existing and without sharp delineation between day and night-time economies);
- adaptability and coherence recognising the evolving nature of cities and need for adapting to contemporary trends - all of which could form a framework for consideration of a strategic plan for the city and against which any individual project could be tested.
- Exemplars of cities which have a commonality with Aberdeen and successfully adopted the principles of ease of connectivity for the pedestrian or cyclist between key central 'node' points and reclamation of key public space from the vehicle to the public.
The Chairman sought the views of the property practitioners. Bill Duguid advised that RGU was to be applauded for its initiative and fine piece of research. The challenge would be turning the visionary work into deliverable projects, however the opportunity to do so is greater than at any previous time. Although not all achievable in terms of the City of Culture timescale, there are elements which can be built on. He commented that the report does not put forward any large 'game changing' developments.
David McClean clarified that the group had not put forward suggestions of potential individual projects as their consideration had been at a more fundamental level. Ferdinand Von Prondzynski commented that the time was now right to move towards proposals and that the University may be in a position to facilitate the process in partnership with key stakeholders including ACSEF who have the necessary desire and commitment. Derren McRae agreed with Bill Duguid’s comments adding that the key to regeneration of a city centre was footfall - bringing people back to the centre. There was acknowledgement of the need to broaden the attractions of the centre and visitor experience beyond retailing, recognising that the nature of this is changing.
The Board were invited to comment on the report. The danger that the report might become a paper exercise unless there was the courage required to develop a clear vision and comprehensive strategic plan for the city centre was raised. The plan should be based on a set of principles which could be bought into up-front by the public, private sectors and wider community (although recognised it was difficult to get agreement while these were still abstract). The opportunity presented by the current review of the structure plan to avoid the previous piecemeal approach to the city centre and take a long term view which takes account of the city's development over the timespan of the new strategic development plan was also highlighted. In addition to the structure plan and the two robust development plans below this, specifying plans for delivery with respect to the city centre and securing the commitment to deliver these over a medium/long term period were seen as vital.
Ease of vehicular access to the centre, improving connectivity for the pedestrian, developing the city's cultural element and ability to increase the football given the relative low number of commuters compared to peripheral industrial estates.were all viewed as important elements
Valerie Watts recounted her experiences in the successful regeneration of Derryin which investing time in developing a clear process had played an important part. The ‘Future Search’ process was identified as best meeting the needs of Derry as it was a fresh approach bringing all stakeholders together to consider ‘where we were’ and ‘where we are now’ before moving forward. A key part of the process was designing the vision and how to turn this into reality. To help achieve this, a strategy board comprising key stakeholders within the city was established and management system with strict accountability.
There is currently the motivation, energy, attitude and opportunity to fund a plan at least in stages and developing the correct process to move the RGU work forward from vision to reality as part of a holistic plan for the city was seen as of fundamental importance.
The importance of a strong process was recognised as was the courage required to own the vision and take it forward, recognising that the detail required would follow once unanimous agreement was reached amongst stakeholders on the way forward.
Bill Duguid commented that Valerie Watts experience could be useful to draw upon and that success will be judged on deliverability. Derren McRae added that financing was key; Valerie Watts advised that the Derry process had included financiers in the visioning exercise.
It was pointed out that using the process which Derry had undergone may take too long given that some of the potential funding would not be available post summer. The comment was also made that there was no substitute for leadership by the Council as a key stakeholder.
The resolve to have cross party and cross AberdeenCity and Shire support for a long term plan was also seen as key.The competing demands on City Council funding however this required to be balanced against the need to attract and retain employment. The need to consider the funding elements of the AECC as part of a holistic plan were noted
It was pointed out that private funding would be essential in addition to public and that to attract private, including commercial investment, there must be a strong vision which could be delivered.
Stephen Archer commented on the public spending planned or already being invested in the region and advised that this was a good spring board for going forward.
Ferdinand von Prondzynski advised that RGU is planning a workshop for key stakeholders in the second half of April. RGU would assist the process by suggesting some potential high value initiatives that the City might pursue and see if there was a way forward.
Tom Smith thanked Ferdinand von Prondzynski and David McClean for leading the discussion. There was widespread support for the RGU plan and commencement of work on the process and guiding principles, including who take lead responsibility for establishing these, and noted that the April workshop would be good in determining the way forward.
Following the discussion, the Board were invited to rank AberdeenCity and Shire against the seven criteria used by Dublin as benchmark indicators for a successful city, which Ferdinand had highlighted at the special meeting of the Board in January. This would be used to inform any future research options.
3. / Draft Strategic Development Plan for the North East to 2035
The Chairman welcomed David Jennings to the meeting who advised of plans for the Strategic Development Plan for the North East to 2035. The current structure plan, approved in 2009 and which had received widespread support, requires to be replaced by a strategic development plan. The consultation period runs until 12 April with the plan to be submitted by June for examination between August - November 2013 and approval expected at the end of 2013/early 2014. Preparation of the new plan has included wide engagement with the public and private sectors and is in line with the ACSEF plan and Nestrans Regional Transport Strategy for the area.
Although the current plan is robust delivering development in the current financial climate is difficult however current challenges should not affect the long-term vision. The vision, aims and spatial strategy are unchanged, with ninety five percentage of the plan remaining the same. New proposals have been taken into account including carbon capture and storage (Peterhead), A96 dualling and A90 dualling between Ellon and Peterhead, consideration of Aberdeen and Peterhead harbours, more focus on city centre regeneration and a statement regarding the area's global significance and ambition.
Maggie McGinlay advised that the ACSEF Management Team were supportive of the plan and had not identified any major issues. She will ask colleagues in Scottish Enterprise to review the plan and summarise the elements of continuity/any change and provide the Board with a copy of the response. The focus on city centre regeneration was welcomed by the Board but it was questioned whether this was sufficiently robust given the Board’s earlier discussion that day. / M McGinlay
4. / Regional Transport Strategy
Derick Murray updated the Board on progress in the re-fresh of the Regional Transport Strategy and summary of main changes. Published in 2008, there is a legal requirement to review the strategy every four years. The Scottish Government has requested a focus on delivery and as such there will not be a full review of the strategy with overall objectives remaining largely the same. The current strategy runs to 2021 and was developed without the benefit of the two local development plans, however as the Strategic Development Plan extends to 2035 there is an opportunity for a refresh and alignment to this. Although forming an addendum to the existing strategy the refreshed document can also be read as a complete stand alone item.
The draft is currently out for consultation until April/May 2013 and the proposed final re-fresh will be provided to the Nestrans Board in June with submission to the Scottish Government thereafter. It was queried whether there was scope for simplification of the strategy and incorporation of a timeline which would be helpful for the public and it was agreed to take this into account.
The Chairman thanked David Jennings and Derick Murray for their updates. The input from the Board would be included in the feedback as part of the wider consultation process. / D Murray
D Jennings & D Murray
5. / Date of Next Meeting
Special Meeting of the Board - 14 May - 9:30 – 11:30 – venue tba
Formal Meeting of the Board - 18 June – 9.30 – 12.30 – venue tba
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