Modern city-centre architecture

SIR, – Union Street's decline is not the fault of Aberdeen City Council. A global recession and the damage it has done plus the presence of national chain stores making all city centres in the UK look alike is sadly the norm nowadays.

What is needed is some kind of public forum to scrutinise and comment on modern architecture in city centres. The facades of the proposed Marischal Square development could be improved. Too often, concrete ends up at the front of modern buildings and it is simply an unattractive material.

Councillors should listen to the public and respond

“The citizens of Gothenburg enjoy the advantages of the magnificent King Gustav Square”

form of innovation or vision for the future of the city.

The council does not have to be so ambitious as to look to Gothenburg for advice; there are a number of towns and cities in the UK which have managed to regenerate their centres and business activities.

However, what is notable about Gothenburg is that, following the demise of its shipbuilding and port activity, it recovered by diversifying into technology, education and tourism.

Was diversification not the very thing that Sir Ian Wood alluded to when he put forward a plan for a new civic square to bring life into the heart of Aberdeen? While we were denied, the citizens of Gothenburg enjoy the advantages of the magnificent King Gustav Square.

I find it extremely difficult to be positive about the future of Aberdeen while the usual suspects are in control.

George S. Morrison, Overton Circle, Dyce, Aberdeen.

with hearings and keep the electorate informed.

We need the Marischal Square development to go ahead to create jobs in the city – jobs in the construction phase and when the development opens.

Those who want a green field on the site should be aware that we have one already – Union Terrace Gardens, which sensibly have been saved from being covered in concrete and a laughable and inappropriate design which was simply not good enough for our fine city.