February 11 2022

Glasgow City Council has opened another public engagement exercise to shape the evolving design of George Square and 2.5km of associated Avenues at the hands of John McAslan & Partners.

Running for four weeks the latest outreach exercise examines global case studies of civic squares from Union Square in San Francisco to Old Market Square in Nottingham for inspiration.

Charting the evolution of the public space from 1810 to the present day the survey will investigate ways to increase space for cyclists and pedestrians, reduce clutter and provide additional green space.

Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “George Square should be Glasgow’s greatest civic space - and, through this consultation, we all have the opportunity to make sure the square and its surrounding Avenues that meet our aspirations for the future. While the Conversation about George Square back in 2019 told us what the people of the city felt about the space, and their ambitions for it, this consultation is different - this time we are asking for views specifically on how people want the Square to look, in terms of its design and what is in it.”

A phased approach will see improvements made to George Square, Dundas Street, Dundas Lane and John Street by 2026 with a further phase incorporating St Vincent Street, St Vincent Place, Hanover Street, Miller Street and George Street set to follow in 2028.  

12 Comments

#1 Posted by George on 11 Feb 2022 at 10:38 AM

The full results from 2019 exercise can be read here: https://archive.org/details/georgesqisittimeforchange2019

#2 Posted by Whispering Cressida on 11 Feb 2022 at 11:09 AM

Consultation carousel is an excellent phrase and sums it up superbly. Well done!

#3 Posted by Hats off to Harry Nilsson on 11 Feb 2022 at 11:16 AM

Can't we have a charette and a conference before we launch into a consulation? There just hasn't been enough discussion about George Square up to this point.

#4 Posted by RankieLass on 11 Feb 2022 at 13:09 PM

"Should be Glasgow's greatest civic space" is it not Glasgow's only civic space?

#5 Posted by Peter on 11 Feb 2022 at 15:37 PM

Aaaaawwww sh*t, here we go again :)

#6 Posted by N on 11 Feb 2022 at 15:47 PM

Just been on their website…
“Our Place: Block C Avenues”

Now I’ve only lived in Glasgow for 15 years, but I thought I’d settled in and felt part of the city. Where the heck is Block C? Never heard of Glasgow blocks before. Maybe they missed out an ol.

#7 Posted by Joe on 11 Feb 2022 at 17:06 PM

The links on that website don't even work. Totally pro job pfft.

#8 Posted by Hamish Ashcroft on 11 Feb 2022 at 17:53 PM

@N - Block C just means the 3rd phase of the Avenues programme - which is the programme to make Glasgow city centre streets more cycle/walking friendly and have a nicer environment. Why they are doing Block C when no construction has started on the first two phases (apart from the pilot) I’m not sure..

#9 Posted by Chris on 11 Feb 2022 at 18:04 PM

#6 It refers to the Avenues public realm improvements, which are being carried out in blocks/phases.

#10 Posted by Roddy_ on 11 Feb 2022 at 19:02 PM

I'd gently suggest that Piccadilly Gardens is not a paradigm to aspire to.

#11 Posted by N on 13 Feb 2022 at 11:14 AM

Point is on #6 that “Our Place: Block C Avenues” is insipid branding (and to most meaningless too) on what is such an important public engagement exercise

#12 Posted by heidfirst on 14 Feb 2022 at 09:27 AM

Call me a cynic but GCC have probably already made their decision before asking the question. & no doubt choice of design constrained by a desire to continue to earn income from Xmas markets etc. ...

Post your comments