Finlay Geddes
1105643
Covered public space vs. open-air public space in Aberdeen
ABSTRACT
This essay comes in the wake of two proposals – one for Union Street and one Union
Terrace Gardens – which propose covering the existing public space, this essay
hopes to prove this is not the solution. I write this essay in light of the recent proposal
by John Halliday of Halliday Fraser Munro, architects in Aberdeen city, to resolve the
disused public spaces of Aberdeen’s Union Street. The strategy proposed is to cover
the street with a glazed canopy, essentially making Aberdeen’s main thoroughfare
into a shopping mall. This essay is a critical appraisal of this scheme which looks at
the pros and cons of covered public space in Aberdeen.
CONTENTS
Abstract
Introduction
History of covered public space in UK
Covered public space in Aberdeen
- The New Market
- St. Nicholas and Bon Accord Centre
- Union Square
Open-air public space in Aberdeen
- Union Street
- Union Terrace Gardens
- Castlegate
Future and potential of covered/open-air public space in Aberdeen
- Good and bad?
Conclusion
References
Image references
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p5
p6
A study into the suitability of covered public space in the context of the City of
Aberdeen, looking at the use and engagement of urban public space in relation
to that which is covered and that which is uncovered (open to the elements).
This essay will look at Aberdeen in particular compared to successful
precedents to discuss appropriateness of covered public space.
Introduction
‘the practice of architecture and the practice of landscape design often stand
historically in an asymmetrical relationship with one another…’i
Public space in our urban environments is a constant issue and is especially current
in relation to the ‘Granite City’ of Aberdeen. A particular field of discussion is the
success of urban public space in relation to cover compared to open space. In this
essay I will look at the history of covered public space in Aberdeen and in a broader
context, looking at successful spaces in history and in current design. I feel for
Aberdeen this is a topic which is particularly relevant as we now see the downfall of
many covered public spaces yet proposals for increased covered public space. I
hope to provide conclusions and reasons for these failed spaces and possible
solutions with reference to successful precedent.
History of covered public space in Europe and UK
Since the genesis of settlement, there has been public space – it is an integral
element to any urban landscape. Similarly to the architecture of the built forms, urban
public space has changed over time. However, the quality, engagement and hence
usefulness of these spaces can differ drastically. The covered public space has its
origins in Ancient Greece, with the development of the agora.ii This was a place of
assembly for various functions and through history, this form of public space has
been reimagined. The Roman forum followed on from this public space, where they
began to be formed by the surrounding buildings. Through the centuries, this formed
the plaza throughout Europe where an open space is usually lined with columns
leading to a focal point (St. Peters Square, Vatican City is probably the most famous
example of this). These eventually developed into the elegant shopping arcades of
Paris in the late 18th century and passed onto Britain in 1817 with the Royal Opera
Arcade and Burlington Arcade in London. In Scotland, there is less of a history of
these shopping arcades or galleries as a covered public space. Edinburgh and
Glasgow both possess pleasant shopping centres, but none which are in the same
format as the ‘indoor streets’ of Burlington Arcade. It is often said that the urban
public spaces of major European cities far exceeds the quality of those in the UK, let
alone Scotland. However, the public spaces of Scotland’s cities (like their
counterparts on the continent) have specific qualities to them which should be
retained and enhanced. This is a format of public space renewal which Aberdeen
seems reluctant to follow.
History of covered public space in Aberdeen
The City of Aberdeen, although not so evident now, has had a long history of covered
public spaces – both effective and futile. Some of these are open to the elements:
Union Street, Schoolhill, Union Terrace Gardens, Bon Accord Terrace, St. Nicholas
Kirkyard and The Green. Whereas others are covered, mostly as shopping malls: St.
Nicholas Centre, Bon Accord Centre, Union Square, The Academy, The Trinity
Centre and The New Market. I will look at some of these public spaces and their
success/failure past, present and future in relation to them being covered or open
with reference to economy, environment and aesthetics…
The first major covered public space for Aberdeen was Archibald Simpson’s New
Market built in the 1840s. This was a ‘trendsetting covered mall with a cathedral-like
interior…’. Of all Aberdeen’s covered public spaces through history, this market hall
seemed the most vibrant and well used. The New Market even survived the turmoil of
a devastating fire in 1882. However, this hub of activity in the city saw it’s demise in
the 1960s and 70s. The demise of the New Market began with a failed takeover in
1958 which led to discussions on the viability of the markets future. Despite public
opinion opposing the demolition and replacement of this core public space,
‘succumbed to the vandalism of Big Business as licensed by the Town Council…’ as
it was found that a new market would make more money. The replacement market is
a deeply oppressive and unpleasant place – a stark contrast to the lofty nature of that
which sat previously on the site. Presumably the council realise their mistake in Hein
site and that they should have listened to the people. An alternative could have
simply been to rejuvenate or extend this cherished public space rather than tear it
down – as seems the theme throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s in Aberdeen.
The trend continues in Aberdeen where a well-used, successful public space is
terminated in favour of a lesser covered public space. St. Nicholas Street was
created in a plan of 1808 to connect Union Street with George Street which led to the
countryside. The street quickly became a thriving and vibrant area of town, to the
extent that it became an alternative to the main thoroughfare of Union Street where
shops would advertise ‘Why go West?’ (to Union Street). The area had become so
popular for shopping as it provided a unique experience of eclectic and interesting
goods and services. However, it was felt that the area had become a ‘bottleneck’
where the trams that existed were causing congestion to the South of St. Nicholas
Street. However, the council went on to merely replace the trams with buses
(possibly as buses were seen as the future at the time). Following the continued
congestion, a large scale demolition was devised as the solution to this issue. The
city council sought to create an indoor shopping mall which would be for pedestrians
– alleviating the problems of traffic congestion.
This was a drastic error on the part of the council as the existing street of St.
Nicholas was loved by the people and still well used. Where in other Scottish cities,
the councils had resolved similar issues by pedestrianizing and rejuvenating the
street – Aberdeen chose to demolish theirs. It seems a trend is forming in the ways of
the Aberdeen City Council by this time. They favour large scale regeneration which is
often not fully thought out. This may initially seem like the most lucrative in short term
but looking in the long term – these are often failures. A simple solution would have
been to pedestrianize the existing street. If we look at the case of Dundee where the
council successfully pedestrianized the main street along Murraygate, we see a
much more sensitively thought out regeneration. Dundee City Council successfully
completed a relatively small scale project of pedestrianizing the street, with focus on
robust materials and street furnishings which have longevity. This would have been
an ideal solution to the St. Nicholas Street problems – but in the whirls of postmodernism the decision had been made.
Union Square is the most recent of Aberdeen’s major public space creations by
means of a new shopping centre. Here, the council created a retail hub which links
the train station and bus station which were previously disjointed. The shoppers pour
into a large, covered atrium with indoor streets of high street shops sprawling from
this core. However, my argument here is did this need to be a covered space? Might
it have been appropriate, considering the city’s history of failed covered public
spaces, to create an open-air pedestrian area with shops etc. to link the two transport
hubs. An example of where this could have been done is…… I feel as Union Square
is equally as capitalistically and commercially driven as previous spaces, the council
and architects of this project have equally forgotten to engage with the project in
terms of the use of public space. They have merely seen this as an opportunity to
increase footfall and provide more shops – economics. Less drastic/expensive
alternatives were certainly possible and should have been better considered.
Lessons to be learned from these failed areas of covered public space are that often
there is a lack of foresight within the mind set of those in charge of these decisions in
Aberdeen City Council. More often than not, the council looks for a solution in a large
scale, brash development – as opposed to those mentioned which are more sensitive
and thus successful. The council often seems to work in monetary value rather than
value of the urban environment. If the council see that a project will bring money – in
their eyes – they will push for it, regardless of public opinion.
Problematic open public spaces and how to resolve without cover
Union Terrace Gardens has been the subject of much debate for many years, even
before World War 1. It has recently come into the limelight as the City Gardens
Project was launched in 2011 with the backing of Sir Ian Wood. I will address the
project particularly later and its ramifications – but first will look at the problems which
exist in Union Terrace Gardens. Aberdeen’s main city gardens were conceived at the
time Union Bridge and Union Street were being constructed. Plans were first drafted
for gardens in the Denburn Valley in 1869. Although the garden is now seen as an
amphitheatre space – it never was intentional and only happened due to the fact
there is a viaduct to the North. Having an amphitheatre quality to the space may be
seen as an advantage, where the occupants are embraced by the gardens. However,
this as well as the fact that Union Street is on stilts and hence the gardens are below
means Union Terrace Gardens is effectively a sunken garden. This can be seen as
one of its main flaws as it is hidden from the street and not necessarily accessible or
visible. Mainly because of these issues, the gardens have faced increased neglect
and lack of exposure. Hence they now lie in an abandoned state apart from
occasional gardening. The gardens are no longer an enjoyable or desirable place to
be, accentuated by the noise and air pollution given off from the neighbouring dual
carriageway. The harsh North Easterly weather of unpredictability and often
prolonged precipitation is a large factor as to why many see this area as a covered
space.
The gardens, as aforementioned, have received numerous proposals for renewal as
they are seen as integral to the city’s regeneration. However, the majority of
proposals for Union Terrace Gardens are unnecessarily large-scale. This is a modest
park so any large intervention would detract from the existing situation. The park
does not need vast amounts of money thrown at it but a sensitive renewal. Aberdeen
Inspired, a council-led initiative to promote creativity and culture in the city have been
most successful thus far at the renewal. They have been working to increase
awareness of the gardens by using the area for exciting events – especially ones
which are otherwise not available. As well as this there is need for minor alterations
to the park. The current entrances do not necessarily need moved (such as in many
competition plans) but need greater exposure to the passing public – as presently
they are not inviting. Finally, the general fabric of the gardens need rejuvenation.
Many of the suggestions included a large enclosed area for the public to occupy.
However, the park already contains adequate covered space in the form of the
arches below Union Terrace. These are currently majorly underused (their main
functions being alcoholism, drug-taking, vandalism and to house abandoned toilets).
The public toilets here could also be renovated to provide amenities for the influx of
users to the rejuvenated gardens. *Pruning foliage of trees/cutting some down/
From its conception in 1805?, Union Street was seen as the principal thoroughfare of
Aberdeen but as an onlooker, one might find this hard to believe. In its hay-day,
Union Street was alive with the workings of the inner city life. The street is a stark
contrast from what it would have been in the 19th century peak. Having seen mixed
functions, it was initially intended as a residential area. This has potentially created
confusion for this main street. Aside from the lure of the Union Square shopping
centre, Union Street is Aberdeen’s main retail hub. Considering high street shopping
is only done by the pedestrian, the street has become unpleasant to use as a
thoroughfare.
“Greatly simplified, outdoor activities in public spaces can be divided into three
categories, each of which places very different demands on the physical
environment: necessary activies, optional activities, and social activities… “
Jan Gehl, Life Between Buildings, p9
I believe in the past Union Street would have been a very social street, but now lacks
the capacity for major social interactions. Being a small city, Aberdonians should be
socially integrated with one another. This integration would help realise government
and council aspirations of a more diverse, cultured city. The main drive behind the
demise of Union Street as a community core is the streetscape itself. Almost without
exception, the once pristine granite facades of the majestic Union Street have been
left to rot. Bushes grow from the parapets and green slime runs down the faces of
these buildings. Etc etc etc
JOHN HALLIDAY PROPOSAL AND APPRAISAL
Conclusion
The City of Aberdeen’s people of authority have long held the attitude that something
must be built to resolve issues of degeneration of the urban public spaces, often
something of an overtly large and intrusive scale. However, it has been proven by
looking at previous failed projects for public space renewal that cover and shelter is
not the resolution in every case. Regeneration of Aberdeen’s public spaces should
imply a historically sensitive reworking and cleaning up of what is existing. There is a
robust city here which is waiting to unveiled from a curtain of years of neglect and
indecision due to controversial projects.
Ken Worpole. (2000). 5: Parks, Pleasure Gardens and the Democracy of the
Open Air. In: . Here Comes the Sun: Architecture and Public Space in TwentiethCentury European Culture. London: Reaktion Books Ltd. p86.
ii
Harvey M Rubenstein. (1992). 1: Evolution of Urban Spaces and Pedestrian Malls. In: Pedestrian
Malls, Streetscapes and Urban Spaces. United States: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. p1
i