A community-led group of local volunteers who are passionate about cleaning up and transforming an urban Aberdeen city centre area will be taking on their latest task this weekend.
The collaborative project to transform the upper terrace of Denburn Gardens and the former Denburn Health Centre into an exciting new outdoor space is being spearheaded by recently formed group Upper Denburn Gardens.
It includes the brains and creativity of three Robert Gordon University alum, namely Cameron Brown, Joe Inman and Aimee Florence Jackson, the latter two of which make up makmono – a local architectural design start-up.
The trio of Scott Sutherland School of Architecture & Built Environment graduates will team up with RGU’s 5710 Architecture Society and a group of current students and enthused volunteers to tackle their first clean-up of the year this Sunday 16 February.
Neil Lamb, Associate Dean at RGU, said: “This event and partnership is a great opportunity for our students to engage with a live urban project and contribute to the revitalisation of Aberdeen’s cityscape. The Denburn has long been a focal point for architectural discourse at the school, making this a natural and meaningful collaboration.
“It also highlights our strong connection with our alumni while reinforcing the importance of student-led initiatives in shaping the urban environment through valuable hands-on experience.”
Cameron Brown, RGU alumni and co-creator of the Upper Denburn Gardens group, said: “Being lucky enough to rent a flat in Denburn Court, I have had a view of the Denburn for the last three years, and it has been sad to see the area fall into disrepair. As a site for our third year studio project, it was challenging but fascinating.
“Our goal is to bring back pride and optimism to the Denburn, building on the potential we know this place has. We want to bring people together in the hopes of building a safe urban garden and a close-knit community network to keep it going.”
The Upper Denburn Gardens clean-up and overall transformation is welcomed by both the local council and Our Union Street as a sustained effort continues to be made to improve Aberdeen city centre. The project is one of many that emphasises RGU's commitment to regenerating the city and ensure that it thrives socially, culturally and economically.
Bob Keiller, leader of Our Union Street, added: “We are right behind the team and Our Union Street is happy for them to borrow equipment and use our office as a base. The smaller community groups like this the better!”
Once a scene of granite tenement flats, the area of Gilcomstoun and Upper Denburn was demolished in the early 70’s to make way for more modern housing in the mould of a high rise. Alongside this, the Denburn car park was built before the Denburn Health Centre was completed in 1976.
Rising NHS costs and the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) led to the health centre closing permanently in the autumn of 2023. The building and its surrounding as a whole is now derelict, depicting an eery and dilapidated space.
The clean-up will begin at 10am this Sunday and is open to anyone who is willing to help.
For more information, visit @upperdenburngardens on Instagram and their website: https://upperdenburngardens.co.uk/. RGU’s award winning architectural society, 5710, can also be found on Instagram via @fiftyseventen where they will provide project updates.