A major campaign to boost the quality of architectural design could be launched in Aberdeen.

Aberdeen City Council is aiming to link up with academics, architects, arts organisations, the private sector and the Scottish Government to drive up standards, and gain international recognition for Aberdeen as a 'City of Design'.

Planning committee members will consider a report from head of planning and infrastructure, Dr Margaret Bochel on today, which says citizens and professionals in the field should all be engaged in improving the look of the city.

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Dr Bochel says in her report that Aberdeen is poised to deliver extensive new housing developments and new places of work - and that the Draft Aberdeen City and Shire Structure Plan has already pinpointed top-quality design as a key goal.

Aberdeen, she writes, also aims to be the first local authority in Scotland to produce a "Policy on Architecture" to pick up on key themes in national design policy. Dr Bochel adds that Aberdeen is already a world-leader in design in the fields of energy, software and medicine - and that the designs for new buildings in the city should be of a quality to match.

Her report states: "The development of a Design Campaign, in partnership with key stakeholders in the design community, is seen as a means to raise design quality aspirations, encourage and stimulate discussion, and involve communities in the future of the city as well as their local neighbourhoods. Design plays a key role in the perceived attractiveness of the city and quality of life, and therefore lends itself to attracting people and business."

(GK/JM)