Six design teams have been selected to move forward to the second stage of a design contest for Aberdeen's City Garden Project, which has been run by Malcolm Reading Consultants.

A jury chaired by former University of Aberdeen principal Sir Duncan Rice selected the six finalists from an initial 55 submissions, which involved more than 150 companies. The finalists include (UK-based unless indicated):

- Foster + Partners and Beirut, Lebanon-based Vladimir Djurovic Landscape Architecture, working with Gardiner and Theobald. - Diller Scofidio and Renfro (New York, US) and Keppie Design in association with US-based landscape architects Olin Studio.

- Gustafson Porta and Niall McLoughlin Architects, along with Space Syntax; Arup; and Jackson Coles. - Norway's Snøhetta and Gareth Hoskins Architects, in association with AECOM.

- Mecanoo Architecten of Delft, Netherlands, and Cooper Cromar, alongside landscape architect Ian White; Buro Happold; and Davis Langdon. - West 8 urban design and landscape architecture of Rotterdam, Netherlands, and Archial Group, in partnership with Arup and Turner and Townsend.

Sir Duncan Rice said: "The jury agreed unanimously on the six finalists and is excited about the potential of their visions for the City Gardens Project." Concept design submissions are due from the finalists in September, following an eight-week design programme. A public exhibition will then follow in late September.