The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland is running sketch design competitions, sponsored by Aberdeen City Council and funded through the Scottish Executive's City Growth Fund, for architects, architecture students and schoolchildren to re-imagine public spaces around the City.

Architects from all over Scotland will come up with covered solutions for three sites: arcades and colonnades at the West End of Union Street; canopies at The Green, en route to the railway station; and a fully glazed George Street, north of the Bon Accord Centre. Schoolchildren from 7 schools around the city have been invited to explore ideas for covered spaces in and around their school grounds while architecture students have been asked to present ideas for redesigning Golden Square as a car-free environment

These sketch competitions, part of the Energising Aberdeen initiative, are supported by Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeen City Centre Partnership through the City Growth Fund to encourage public debate and positive change. All the entries will be exhibited locally during May and the winners will be announced at the RIAS Annual Convention on Friday 7 May at The Music Hall, Aberdeen.