Proposals by the South Aberdeen Coastal Regeneration Project Steering Group could see an educational/visitor centre, small boat harbour and multi-purpose submerged reef developed on the south side of the city.
These are just some of the suggestions which will be put forward by the City Council and University of Aberdeen at their joint presentation today (Friday 17 October) at 1pm at Aberdeen Harbour Board's, Marine Operations Centre.
Listening to the report will be a range of organisations with a long term interest and commitment to the environment of the south of the city.
Led by Professor Bill Ritchie of the University of Aberdeen the steering group will aim to implement the key objectives of the report by working in partnership with interested parties work over the next twelve months to create a range of important local projects that will enhance the environment of Torry.
Key objectives of the report include:
- Local information system - to create and develop a local information system which will be used by Aberdeen City Council and other partners in an interactive mode.
- Terrain assessment - following a terrain assessment it is hoped a draft field handbook/guide of the geological and geomorphological features of interest between Nigg Bay and Cove will be created.
- Marine process study - during this one-year scoping period wave parameters from the newly positioned buoy in Aberdeen Bay will be compiled and translated into process information which could be the first-step in assessing the range of possibilities for constructional proposals within and around Nigg Bay.
- Comprehensive study of marine centre proposal - the study will provide the City Council with a range of options for the development of a "marine centre" somewhere along the shoreline of Nigg Bay.
- Liaison with other coastal developments in city and council - the project is designed to ensure integration and awareness of other coastal developments along the coastline of Aberdeen City, at the outlet of the River Don and northwards along the sediment cell of Aberdeen Bay.
- Possible EU linkages - possibilities exist to incorporate best practice for sustainable coastal development as derived from European experiences.
Gordon McIntosh, Corporate Director for Neighbourhood Services South said: "The focus of our project is in Torry. We will be working to involve local schools and community organisations in a practical, hands-on way that will help them improve the local environment. I believe the next twelve months will see the start of some exciting projects that the people of Torry can be directly involved in and will be an exciting next step in the long term regeneration of this unique part of the City".
Professor Albert Rodger, Vice-Principal and Head of the College of Physical Sciences, University of Aberdeen said: "The South Aberdeen Coastal Regeneration Project is a prime example of the University of Aberdeen's commitment to working in partnership with the City Council for the wider benefit of the Aberdeen community.
"The strength of expertise provided by Professor Bill Ritchie and his multi-disciplinary team from the University's Institute for Coastal Science and Management will be a key component in delivering the Council's strategy to regenerate the city's southern coastline over the coming year."
Securing the environmental and community regeneration of the wider area of the south of the city will enhance the mainstreaming of equalities in the community. The implementation of key projects identified within the scoping report will be based on sustainable outcomes. The potential to attract visitors to a range of projects and sites across the city and the north-east will be integral to developing these initiatives.
The South Aberdeen Coastal Regeneration Project Steering Group aims to work in partnership with organisations such as Aberdeen Harbour Board, East Grampian Coastal Partnership, Scottish Enterprise Grampian, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Scottish Water to enhance the environment and community regeneration of the area.