De-Paving The Way’ sets out to reimagine Aberdeen’s harbour post-Oil and Gas era by undertaking a methodical deconstruction of existing infrastructure, fostering the city's reconnection with its maritime heritage while nurturing ecological revitalisation. Through meticulous mapping of oil infrastructure gridlines and the identification of natural routes, the project meticulously crafts a 'masterplan of grounds,' utilising the concept of 'shared walls' to serve as both social and ecological catalysts. This approach aims to break down the homogeneity of the harbour area, breathing new life into its once oil-saturated landscape.
Divided into four distinct acts, the project unfolds a narrative of transformation over time. Beginning with community-driven interventions to puncture the private zoning of the harbour, it establishes a nucleus for development while restoring the link between the historic fishing village of Footdee and the harbour's edge. Over the following decades, the project envisions repurposing warehouses and industrial structures to create vibrant social spaces that reclaim areas previously dominated by oil infrastructure. As time progresses, the focus shifts to the establishment of wildlife observatories and the gradual reintegration of natural habitats into the urban fabric, culminating in the ambitious 'Torry Wetlands Project' by 2080. This long-term vision not only aims to restore ecological balance but also to shape a more sustainable and resilient future for Aberdeen's coastal region, serving as a model for urban regeneration in post-industrial contexts.
