Cover photo image: Aberdeen Inspired Business Improvement District
Aberdeen city centre is undergoing an ambitious regeneration programme, aimed at transforming the heart of the Granite City into a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable place. Driven by the City Centre and Beach Masterplan, the regeneration effort combines major public-realm improvements, heritage restoration, new housing and cultural investment to redefine the city centre as a place that reflects both its historic character and sustainable future.
The ambitious regeneration project ties together key strategic priorities for Scotland’s Towns Partnership in driving a sustainable future for places across Scotland, from town centre living, making the most of heritage and cultural assets, events and taking a collaborative approach to breathing fresh life into communities.
Revitalising Union Street / Upper Floors Project
Like many UK cities and towns, Aberdeen has faced challenges including falling footfall, upper vacant floors above shops and changing retail patterns.
The Aberdeen Upper Floors Project is a regeneration initiative focused on revitalising the unused and underutilised upper floors of Union Street, with the aim of attracting more people and businesses into the centre – to live, work and visit.
The project forms part of Aberdeen’s £150 million city centre investment, including major regeneration projects such as the new market building.
An expert task force was assembled, bringing together council specialists in planning and building standards with architects, developers and commercial letting agents to find new and innovative uses for the unused premises, with the project being driven by Aberdeen Inspired Business Improvement District (BID) with support from Aberdeen City Council.
Demonstrating how heritage buildings can support modern town centre living, it is hoped that the project will increase footfall in the city centre and build economic resilience. By diversifying the use of space and introducing mixed-use use, it is hoped the Upper Floors Project will act as a cornerstone for Aberdeen’s ambition to transform the city centre into a liveable, creative and sustainable place.
The project has been hailed as an exemplar, with representatives from local authorities across the UK coming to visit and learn the lessons from the team.
Greater connectivity and accessibility
“Generation Aberdeen” led by Aberdeen City Council, is designed to reimagine and regenerate two key areas of the city – the city centre and the beachfront. It represents a ‘generational investment in the future of Aberdeen, aiming to create spaces that are more inclusive, sustainable and celebrate the city’s identity and heritage.
The masterplan for the project was developed after stakeholder engagement to develop a long-term vision for how Aberdeen can preserve its unique character whilst ensuring it becomes a city for the future.
Generation Aberdeen consists of several important sub-projects. Each aims to address a key aspect of the city’s renewal. Aberdeen Market, a new landmark facility that will replace the former indoor market, aims to create a vibrant social space combining local retail, food and cultural experiences.
The redevelopment of Union Terrace Gardens transformed the park into an accessible public space, whilst streetscape improvements along Union Street and adjoining areas focus on greater access and connectivity, improving links throughout the city centre.
The Beachfront Masterplan extends accessibility principles to Aberdeen’s waterfront, enhancing links between the city centre and the beach. Plans include new accessible walkways, cycle routes, and crossings, ensuring greater connectivity and encouraging active travel. This area will be transformed into a multi-purpose area, featuring new leisure facilities, event spaces, landscape parks and a children’s play area, all with greater connectivity to the main city centre.
Creative placemaking through arts, culture and events
Aberdeen has used a coordinated mix of place-making, cultural strategy and large public events to reenergise its city centre and waterfront, driving greater footfall and making it a more appealing place for visitors and locals alike. Culture and events has been at the core of the regeneration strategy, with the refurbishment of the Union Terrace Gardens into an accessible space with new bridges and improved access has created an appealing venue for both events and every day use, while making the most of an existing asset.
The city’s beachfront Masterplan and a £50m waterfront development programme are focused on delivering an event field, playpark and refreshed leisure facilities to make the seafront area capable of hosting large events and family attractions.
‘Culture Aberdeen’ sets out culture as a key driver of economic and social renewal, linking cultural activity to urban regeneration, providing a framework for public funding, collaboration and events.
The city, which hosted the world-famous Tall Ships Festival for 2025 delivered by partners including Aberdeen Inspired, Aberdeen City Council and Port of Aberdeen saw more than 400,000 visitors across the four-day festival visit the city, with strong feedback from local businesses about increased turnover and economic benefit.
One of the standout examples of creative placemaking in Aberdeen is the Nuart Aberdeen festival. The internationally recognised street art event has redefined the city’s public spaces, turning walls and alleys into canvases for large-scale murals and attracts visitors from across the globe.
Scotland Loves Local Aberdeen Gift Card – driving local spend
The Aberdeen Gift Card, spearheaded by Aberdeen Inspired Business Improvement District as part of the wider Scotland Loves Local Gift Card programme, was the UK’s best-selling gift card scheme in 2023 and 2024.
With more than £5m in sales being secured for Aberdeen businesses so far, the gift card has been critical in helping to lock in spend in the regional economy.
To help increase the use of the gift card, Aberdeen Inspired installed a vending machine kiosk – the first of its kind in Scotland – in Union Street Shopping Centre, making it easier to purchase physical and e-cards which can then be spent in local businesses.
The Gift card has also been a key feature of the popular bi-annual Aberdeen Restaurant Week, which is a celebration of the city’s food and drink scene, organised by Aberdeen Inspired.
Across two weeks, local cafés, bars, and restaurants take part through special fixed-price menus, tasting experiences, and exclusive deals designed to suit every palate and budget, with many participating venues accepting the Aberdeen Gift Card.
Aberdeen’s regeneration journey demonstrates a real commitment to balancing heritage, sustainability, and innovation to create a thriving urban environment. Through the City Centre and Beach Masterplan, the transformation of Union Street and the beachfront, and a strong focus on culture and local enterprise, Aberdeen is working hard to redefine itself as a dynamic, people-centred city. The combination of creative placemaking, infrastructure investment, and community-driven initiatives such as Nuart Aberdeen, the Tall Ships Festival, and the Aberdeen Gift Card scheme has strengthened local identity and increased economic resilience.
Collectively, these efforts are a real example of how thoughtful regeneration can not only revitalise the physical landscape but also reinvigorate civic pride and long-term sustainability, drawing together key.
