Blythswood DRF Full Report

YOUR BLYTHSWOOD

Glasgow City Centre District Regeneration Frameworks Blythswood District - Final Draft Report June 2019 Blythswood District Regeneration Framework as defined in Glasgow City Centre Strategy 2014-2019 Project Team Contents

1 Introduction 06 Blythswood Projects 32 Client - Glasgow City Council Lead designer, strategy Local consultant, Local designer 2 (Y)our Updated Mobility 40 3 (Y)our Urbanised M8 66 4 (Y)our Great Streets & Spaces 90

Connectivity, spatial Property market Socio-economic Community animation, 5 (Y)our Great Buildings 120 economics consultants regeneration consultants engagement 6 (Y)our Vibrant Blythswood 144 7 Transforming (Y)our Blythswood 178 Gerry Grams 8 Planning Policy 192

Smart city consultants Strategic city design Engineering advice Cost consultants adviser 9 Action Plan 202

© Crown Copyright and database right 2015. All rights reserved. OS Licence No. 100023379. You are not permitted to copy, sub-license or sell any of this data to third parties in any form. 07/03/2015 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION Introduction

The Blythswood District Regeneration Framework Edwardian commercial architecture. The area also The city centre’s relationship with the motorway is Royal Conservatoire and the Glasgow Film (DRF) study area encompasses a diverse area of includes some of Glasgow’s most crucial and this DRF addresses how to mitigate the Theatre. central Glasgow, covering an area more varied unprepossessing post WW2 architecture, much of negative impact the M8 has on the adjacent urban than the name suggests. Glasgow’s planned 18th it clustered along the M8 corridor and including environment. The M8 is also considered in the As noted above this part of the city is undergoing century westward expansion resulted in the urban social housing, hotels, and vacant or under Broomielaw and Sauchiehall / Garnethill DRFs and significant change and churn. Redundant office grid that was laid out over Blythswood Hill. Despite occupied offices. this DRF should be read in conjunction with them stock is being refreshed or replaced for residential, being eroded over time, the cohesion of the and the emerging possibilities for an M8 cap at hotel / leisure or new commercial / workplace Georgian urban grid is still evident around The area is undergoing significant change. Some Charing Cross. Any future plans would have to be environments. This remixing of uses presents an Blythswood Square at the summit of the of the mediocre Modernist architecture is being developed in collaboration with key stakeholders, opportunity for this piece of the city to integrate eponymous drumlin hill. However the DRF area replaced by new commercial development in and including Transport Scotland. positively with adjacent neighbourhoods. To the extends westwards from West Campbell Street to around the Central Business District, Cadogan west of the M8 the residential-led Anderston straddle the M8 motorway and encapsulate the Square, the former Albany site, and the area The opportunity to retrace and reinforce lost or masterplan is refreshing existing social housing area between two of Glasgow’s most famous, between the motorway and Blythswood Square underwhelming arterial routes across the stock with selective demolition and replacement of formerly great streets; Sauchiehall Street and which features new hotels, student residential motorway to join up established and emerging contemporary tenements that start to repair the Argyle Street. development and a pipeline of mixed use schemes ‘high street’ centres is important. As Finnieston / historic street pattern partially erased by Modernist including private rented sector (PRS) residential. Argyle Street matures as a revitalised retail / leisure planning. Within this area there are some architectural gems The new Scottish Power headquarters and the destination, super-charged by the Scottish Event and landmarks including Alexander ‘Greek’ neighbouring St. Vincent Plaza office development Campus, there exists an opportunity to link and The District hosts some of Glasgow’s most Thomson’s St. Vincent Street Church, announce themselves on the city’s skyline and regenerate Sauchiehall Street and Argyle Street emblematic cultural destinations including the Mackintosh’s refurbished Willow Tea Rooms, the make manifest a shifting pattern of early 21st from the city to the West End. The City Deal massive Mitchell Library and the elaborate King’s neo-classical Mitchell Library overlooking the M8 Century development to meet the motorway. Avenues investment on both streets, should act as Theatre. It also has a notable lack of public open cutting, the under occupied former Glasgow High the basis for a regeneration strategy that supports space, with the only noteworthy green space being School and some of Glasgow’s great Victorian and local businesses by maximising street-life and the private garden in Blythswood Square. footfall and creating a far more attractive Maximising these cultural assets whilst providing destination infused with culture and creativity given enhanced public spaces is a key focus for this the proximity of Glasgow School of Art (GSA), the DRF.

6 7 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION The Assignment (Y)our Ideas

This District Regeneration Framework outlines a (Y)our City Centre, (Y)our Blythswood district The City Centre Strategy and Action Plan 2014-19 This District Regeneration Framework has been vision, projects and an action plan to refocus the sets out a vision and objectives for central prepared in collaboration with a wide array of Blythwsood district of Glasgow in the next ten This city’s motto is “Let Glasgow Flourish”. If Glasgow and defines nine city centre Districts; one stakeholders and consultees. Ideas and opinions years. It overlaps with adjacent DRFs, notably Glasgow is to flourish in the 21st century the city of which is Blythswood district. A Regeneration have been shared by Glaswegians and visitors to Broomielaw, Central and Sauchiehall / Garnethill. It centre will have to be at the vanguard of wider Framework is to be prepared for each District. the city. Engagement and consultation has been is intended to align with these DRFs, and in regeneration, with Blythswood leading the way and conducted on-street, online, in public exhibitions, combination set out a framework for adapting testing how to redefine (Y)our Future City Centre. The pilot Framework was prepared for Sauchiehall design workshops and via social media. Glasgow to the changing demands of + Garnethill and was completed and published in Participants have included residents, businesses, contemporary city life as well as local and 2016. The next four Districts are: Broomielaw, St. land and building owners / occupiers, developers international challenges. Enoch, Central and Blythswood. The last four and investors, local and national agencies, Council District Regeneration Frameworks will be for the departments, elected members, charities, With consideration of resource constraints the Merchant City, Learning Quarter, Townhead and voluntary organisations and tourists. action plan has been consolidated into a more Cowcaddens. deliverable range of priorities that will be confirmed (Y)our Ideas have informed and shaped the through a formal public consultation on the draft Each District Regeneration Framework will guide recommendations and projects emerging through DRF. physical, social and economic regeneration and (Y)our Blythwsood District Regeneration may inform Supplementary Planning Guidance Framework. This part of the city centre is undergoing a (Local Development Frameworks and/or Strategic repositioning which, if successful, could be Development Frameworks as defined in the City transformational to the city’s economic, cultural, Development Plan (2017). social and civic health and future prosperity. Preparing this Framework has been a collaborative, collective effort involving the many people with a stake and interest in Glasgow City Centre and the Blythswood DRF area. For this reason this project is underscored by this collective effort, expertise and energy.

8 9 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION (Y)our Blythswood District Boundaries Purpose and structure of this Report

The boundaries for the (Y)our Blythswood District PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT STRUCTURE OF THIS REPORT Regeneration Framework are defined in the Glasgow City Centre Strategy and Action Plan The principal purpose of this District Regeneration This DRF considers the role the Blythswood 2014-19. The Framework encompasses an area Framework (DRF) is to guide forthcoming physical, District has to play in the wider renewal of Glasgow between Argyle Street to the south and Sauchiehall social and economic regeneration and city centre. The regeneration of Glasgow City Street to the north. The western boundary is development in the area of the city centre Centre and the River Clyde corridor should be defined by Elderslie Street / Little Street whilst the designated by the City Centre Strategy 2014-19 as considered national priority projects and the eastern edge is defined by West Campbell Street. the Blythwsood district. Blythswood DRF area has a pivotal role in redefining the city centre’s future role. The The Blythwood DRF area is focused on The City Centre Strategy states that each DRF will Framework assesses the significant challenges Blythswood Hill, running down towards the Clyde contribute to Supplementary Planning Guidance. and opportunities that will continue to define to the south and to Sauchiehall Street to the north. Glasgow city centre’s environmental, spatial, The M8 cuts through the area as it crosses the The City Development Plan (2017) confirms that a Local Development Frameworks (LDF) will be economic and social performance. It confirms River over the Kingston Bridge before cutting overarching objectives that must be met if around the west and northern flanks of the city produced for each of the 9 districts identified in the City Centre Strategy, and that a Strategic Glasgow is to compete as a leading European city, centre. The area encompasses two low level rail and reinforces the importance of the city centre as stations (Charing Cross and Anderston). Development Framework (SDF) will be prepared covering the entire city centre and all 9 districts. the engine for the city region’s economic, cultural, The full extent of this Framework area is 56 civic and environmental health. It outlines hectares. It is therefore intended that this DRF will contribute fundamental principles to ensure Glasgow has a to the planning policy for this District of Glasgow’s sustainable, resilient and vibrant city centre that is city centre. It is anticipated that the Planning Policy remarkable, attractive and convivial. chapter and other planning related elements of each DRF should be incorporated as In support of these principles and to help deliver Supplementary Guidance within an SDF or LDF, the overarching objectives for (Y)our City Centre subject to it being consistent with the City this report sets out a framework of projects within Development Plan and planning authority the Blythswood district and an associated Action approval, and then be considered a material Plan to help prioritise implementation. It also consideration in planning matters affecting the outlines additional planning policy specific to the Blythswood DRF area. Blythswood district. This DRF should be read in conjunction with the The (Y)our Blythswood Projects are outlined within City Development Plan (2017) and the City Centre six themes; Strategy 2014-19 and their respective successor • (Y)our Updated Mobility documents. It should also be read in conjunction with the City Centre Strategic Development • (Y)our Urbanised M8 Framework which is to be prepared in line with guidance set out in the City Development Plan • (Y)our Great Streets and Spaces (2017). • (Y)our Great Buildings • (Y)our Vibrant Blythswood • Transforming (Y)our Blythswood Each project is described and cross referred to the objectives that it aligns with. The Action Plan suggests priorities, project leadership and inputs, early actions and sequence of tasks towards implementing each project co-ordinated within the overall DRF. This Action Plan is therefore the principal point of reference in monitoring and co-ordinating delivery of the (Y)our Blythswood District Regeneration Framework. It is incumbent on project delivery lead and partners to undertake project risk assessments at the commencement and during the implementation of each project, in view of circumstances at that time.

10 11 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION

Policy Context

Glasgow City Development Plan 2017 Glasgow City Region: City Deal Glasgow Economic Strategy 2016-2023

The City Development Plan was adopted in March Glasgow City Council and seven neighbouring The Blythwsood DRF objectives fit well with the the area. The Blythswood district’s strong urban 2017 and is the new statutory Local Development local authorities in the city region and Clyde Valley Glasgow Economic Strategy 2016-2023 grid dominates including Blythswood Square, but Plan for Glasgow, comprising two overarching have secured one of the UK’s largest City Deals. (November 2016) the aim to make ‘Glasgow the is fragmented south of St Vincent Street where a policies (the Placemaking Principle and most productive major city economy in the UK’. cluster of hotels dominates in the Anderston/ Sustainable Spatial Strategy) and ten policies The Glasgow City Region City Deal will fund major Broomielaw area close to Anderston railway supported by supplementary guidance. infrastructure projects; create thousands of new The current Economic Strategy outlines 10 themes; station. Key facilities in the district include the jobs and assist thousands of unemployed people 1. Raising health King’s Theatre, Charing Cross Station, with the This Blythswood DRF promotes design excellence back to work; improve public transport and Mitchell Library overlooking the M8 from its and low-carbon place-making to deliver a mixed connectivity; drive business innovation and growth 2. Skills for all western side. use city centre district characterised by a diverse and generate billions of pounds of private sector economy and community, in a high density investment. 3. A fairer Glasgow The dominant property use in Blythswood is offices walkable neighbourhood with excellent public (58%) followed by hospitality/ leisure (19%), and transport and great public spaces. The City Deal will support the local area to achieve 4. Supporting key sectors then residential use (18%). Blythswood’s its shared long-term vision for the local economy 5. Innovation/high value employment substantial office stock includes a broad mix of It is therefore aligned with the CDP Key Aims and through four key areas of focus: building types, from townhouses west of the M8 Strategic Outcomes to create; • Improved infrastructure 6. Smart infrastructure investment and around Blythswood Square, to a concentration • A healthy, high quality place of high density modern offices at St Vincent Street • Growth in Life Sciences 7. Housing mix including an increase in city / M8. This includes the new speculative St Vincent • A compact city form that supports sustainable centre population Plaza (whose occupiers include KPMG) and • Supporting Business Innovation development 8. Supporting enterprise Scottish Power’s newly opened headquarters. The • Tackling unemployment District also includes core CBD buildings where it • A vibrant place with a growing economy 9. Linking education & employment opportunities overlaps with Central and Broomielaw (around the There is a £1.13 billion fund to support the delivery Bothwell Street / Waterloo Street area). • A thriving and sustainable place to live and 10. Increasing population & retaining talent work of improved infrastructure including an improved transport network across Glasgow and the Clyde Ryden conclude that Blythswood is an adaptable, Glasgow, and the Blythswood district will only inner urban property market location that includes • A connected place to move around and do Valley, key development and regeneration sites realise its potential if more innovation is business in and improved public transport. There are two a combination of primary and secondary encouraged, the business base grows, skills commercial streets with building stock of mixed aspects that are of specific relevance to provision is better linked with the needs of the local • A green place which is resilient, accessible Blythswood; size, type and vintage. The stock tends to allow the and attractive economy and longstanding health issues are area to respond to the ebb and flow of land uses City Centre Enabling Infrastructure Integrated tackled. over time. Currently the area is responding to a The aim of the Placemaking Principle policy CDP 1 Public Realm Programme – the ‘Avenues’ project market cycle favouring pre-committed rather than is to “improve the quality of development taking speculative development, including hotels (e.g. the place in Glasgow by promoting a design-led £115m fund for a programme of improvement Blythswood District: Today new Dakota Deluxe), student housing (eg. Bath approach.” This policy also supports city centre works which will upgrade and enhance the look Street/ Pitt Street under construction) and offices living in this location, outlining planning and feel of Glasgow city centre by delivering a The Blythswood District is divided by the M8 which (e.g. Scottish Power’s HQ). The retail market cycle requirements which can align with the Blythswood network of avenues and public realm investment, cuts through the area in a north-south axis, by contrast has passed its peak, although leisure DRF objectives. which will support the city centre economy and physically separating what is essentially the (including cafes, restaurants) remains an active help increase footfall. western portion of the city’s central business sub-market. The city centre residential district, with the edge of the predominately Waterfront and West End Innovation Quarter development market has been quiet since the residential area that extends as far west as 2008 crash, but is beginning to show early signs of The investment in this part of the City Deal project Elderslie Street and less densely-built up re-mobilising for the next development market (£114m) will increase economic growth by Kelvingrove/west-end area. St Vincent Street is the cycle and the private rented sector (PRS) in continuing the regeneration of the Clyde Waterfront main east-west axis forming a central spine Blythswood is gaining traction. Overall the mix of as an attractive urban quarter. through the district, with both Sauchiehall Street building stock and sites means that Blythswood along its northern edge and Argyle Street on its can continue to respond to a range of market Blythswood DRF area should benefit from City southern boundary also providing key routes into sectors. Deal funded enhancement to public realm (Avenues) and investment on the Waterfront. 12 13 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION

Blythswood District: Future Distinctive Economic A crucial economic development challenge for Laying the groundwork for ultra-highspeed Development Role Blythswood District is to continue to attract and broadband in the city centre within business retain jobs and skills now and in the immediate space, homes and public infrastructure and in Blythswood District’s mix of building stock and future. Blythswood needs to continue to attract development projects in Blythswood also offers sites has a very distinctive role to play in the future investments and investors, to renew with growth clearly visible benefits for growing the pool of wider economic renewal of Glasgow city centre. and maintain the great streets and spaces for innovative businesses operating in the city centre. The District Framework has evolved from Getting future generations. The District, with its mix of This investment helps foster collaboration among Ahead of Change: Glasgow City Centre Strategy building stock and sites, can accommodate companies by creating healthy competition for 2014-19 with the particular emphasis on: flexible working opportunities including employees and innovation. telecommuting, remote work or staggered working • Work & create - to be the biggest job There is also an emphasis in the Blythswood DRF generator in Scotland; hours that are emerging in every sector of the economy and where there is also a convergence on diversification of uses with a range of evening/ • Invest & build- to remain a top ten investment of industrial and service-level skills. These trends night economy opportunities in a safe and location in Europe; are inherently linked to the value chain and higher improved user experience in the District and levels of productivity and professional training. building on the existing network of bars/clubs and • Stay & live- to grow the residential population venues like the Kings Theatre. A more integrated ensuring an adequate level of supporting The projects proposed In Blythswood DRF are also night time strategy in Blythswood could use the infrastructure; an opportunity to match jobs and skills by creating cluster of city centre rail stations/bus network as a new investment projects that increase the number city-wide asset to drive an improved night time • Shop & play- to maintain Glasgow’s position of opportunities for business enterprise. This economy. Places that are well used during as the best destination to shop and play includes promoting a start-up friendly environment, daytime and early evening, but underutilised at outside London and; attracting talent, promoting and funding innovation night would become accessible. This could also • Visit & enjoy- to be the most prominent leisure and generally ramping up the ecosystem for unlock opportunities to provide more low-cost and business tourism destination. welcoming start-ups in the City Centre. Investment space to entrepreneurs and businesses, fostering in transport infrastructure is also a powerful means more creativity. The District Framework also The Blythswood DRF fits with the ten Glasgow to increase mobility in the job market thus making it identifies a number of opportunities for high quality Economic Strategy themes (listed above) and the easier for workers to get to their jobs Glasgow City public art. opportunities to promote four of the key sectors Centre and expanding the recruitment pool for identified in the Glasgow Economic Strategy (see companies so they can improve productivity There will also be opportunities to promote an table below). appropriate choice of new housing in a range of Blythswood District has to remain constantly affordable tenures including PRS as part of mixed Blythswood District Framework & Fit with the dynamic and stand out from other districts in UK use investment in Blythswood. The housing would Glasgow Economic Strategy 2016-2023 Sectors and European cities competing for business, target a wide range of occupiers including singles/ enterprise and investment. There is a significant couples, downsizers, families and include car free Glasgow Economic Strategy (2-16- Blythswood and growing business and hotel sector presence housing by increasing active accessibility. 23) Sectors Focus in Blythswood District with the recent completion of Blythswood District straddles the M8 and as in some signature developments (e.g. Dakota Deluxe other UK cities quality of air is a public health Digital Technology and Scottish Power’s HQ) and the retrofitting and issue. The (Y)our urbanised M8 project that Finance & Business Services upgrading of other historic building stock for office includes proposals for an ultra-low emissions zone use. The DRF aims to continue this trend and to sports and cultural proposals for the spaces Creative Industries add to the street level mix of uses that include beneath the bridge are a direct response. The Low Carbon retail / leisure / food and drink. Historic Blythswood Development Framework projects proposed in and Hill and the Central Conservation Area within around Blythswood District all include Health & Life Sciences Blythswood offer very distinctive opportunities to opportunities to experiment and test innovative repurpose vacant spaces for a variety of innovative solutions (e.g. data sharing, logistics, Engineering, Design & Advanced uses. Bothwell Street should become more of the tele-commuting and digital technology). Therefore, Manufacturing ‘high street’ for corporate Glasgow providing local Glasgow City Centre will be a place of Tourism & Events facilities, and lunch time and early evening coffee experimentation, an opportunity for companies Higher & Further Education shops/bars/restaurants. looking to innovate and test new solutions.

14 15 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION (Y)our City Centre key objectives

A series of key objectives have been distilled through consultation and analysis to Key objective 4 identify challenges and opportunities for (Y)our City Centre Reduce car dependency. Make space for people and nature

Key objective 1

Retain and improve competitive edge of Glasgow city centre Key objective 5

Create more attractive and remarkable spaces

Key objective 2

A centre for all Glaswegians. Integrate city Key objective 6 centre and surroundings. Create a seamless transition from a daytime to night-time economy – vibrant, safe, family friendly

Key objective 3 Key objective 7

Repopulate the city. Increase city density Urgent action is called for. and function mix Regenerating Glasgow city centre and the River Clyde corridor are nationally significant projects. Public, private + third sectors must collaborate.

16 17 Overview of (Y)our possible projects

18 19 © Crown Copyright (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT (Y)our Blythswood Engagement

On-Street Engagement On-Street Engagement

Blythswood Event 01

Event 01 On-Street Engagement The Blythswood District Regeneration Framework Events Programme has been prepared in collaboration with a wide array of stakeholders and consultees. Ideas and • 29 Aug 16 Launch Event opinions have been shared by Glaswegians and • 01 Sep 16 (Y)our City Centre Day visitors to the city. Engagement and consultation has been conducted on-street, online, in public • 23 Nov 16 Scotbuild 2016 Presentation exhibitions, design workshops and via social media. • 22 Mar 17 On-Street Engagement Participants have included residents, businesses, • 23 Mar 17 On-Street Engagement land and building owners / occupiers, developers • 11 May 17 Public Event 01 and investors, local and national agencies, Council departments, elected members, charities, • 01 Jun 17 Stakeholder Event 01 voluntary organisations and tourists. • 26 Jun 17 Public Event 02 (Y)our Ideas have informed and shaped the recommendations and projects emerging through the Blythswood District Regeneration Framework. Please refer to (Y)our City Centre Community Engagement report dated May 2018 for a detailed account of the engagement contributions. On-Street Engagement Blythswood Commonplace Mapping

20 21 (Y)our Blythswood Engagement Issues & Ideas

Through a series of workshops, presentations, site visits and digital tools, (Y)our Blythswood engagement generated numerous issues and ideas. A detailed record of the community and stakeholder engagement has been prepared as a separate document. This page summarises the diversity of comments and discussions raised in considering this district.

22 23 © Crown Copyright (Y)our Blythswood analysis overview

Blythswood has seen significant change and is appreciated asset in this part of the city. There currently undergoing another transformation. are some remarkable buildings and cultural assets surrounded by poor quality public space The urban grid of Blythswood Hill was Glasgow’s that needs to be better preserved (eg St. first suburb; a handsome residential development Vincent Street Church and Mitchell Library). of Georgian townhouses laid out west of the medieval heart of Glasgow. As Glasgow prospered Hidden and unattractive train Poorly maintained historic buildings the area became the commercial heart of the city, station entrance with purpose built palaces of commerce being integrated into the grid. The townhouses adapted to house offices and hotel as the residential population moved out to the western and southern Vacant buildings and heritage assets suburbs. Now the area is undergoing further change. Significant new office, hotels and residential Important historic buildings Busy car traffic through developments are starting to redefine the area. The historic buildings are being repurposed again as surrounded by poor public space city centre commercial functions relocate to higher spec contemporary working environments in new landmark developments. The selective demolition of outmoded and vacated mid-20th Century buildings, notably along the M8 corridor, has Partial regeneration of created the potential for significant change in the area; with development focus shifting away from housing area Remarkable built heritage the Broomielaw to the Central Business District and Blythswood / Charing Cross. Limited public greenspace The DRF area is bisected by the M8 motorway. This ruptured the cityscape and has severed Anderston (to the west) from the city centre. The Significant new motorway has blighted a large swathe of the development investment western edge of the city centre and many consultees highlighted the pressing need for bold and ambitious planning to mitigate the impact of the M8 and road infrastructure on the city centre. Clydeside Expressway severs The area is dominated by road traffic; with the connections to River tentacles of Junction 19 and the Clydeside Expressway compounding the severance caused by the M8 itself. The Bothwell Street off-ramp and Waterloo Street on-ramps create an abrupt interface between city and motorway, with many consultees citing speeding traffic in these areas. Public parks/spaces Glaswegians are acutely aware of the lack of Listed building A green, public open space in the city centre and it is Anderston Cross Development potential nowhere more apparent than in the Blythswood link broken area where there is hardly any quality public open Unattractive megastructure Pedestrianised street space in neighbourhoods on either side of the disrupts urban fabric Poor quality leftover space motorway. Blythswood Square has the potential to be a great urban square, but the closure of public Privatized park access to the private gardens following political Parking garage/open-air parking protests there has dismayed many who recognised Disruptive structures the space as a great amenity and asset to the city. Busy public transport route The Blythswood DRF has distinctive character areas and many consultees reflected on the rich Routes accessible by car history and fantastic built heritage as an under Busy car road

Missing link

24 25 © Crown Copyright (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION Current Blythswood

Great architectural and cultural heritage - The Mitchell Library Primary landmark in Glasgow - St. Vincent Street Church

Quiet and nice neighbourhood park - Blythswood Square Solitary, isolated example of quality restaurant

26 27 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION Current Blythswood

Low quality housing blocks disrupting urban form Very steep roads have great potential - Blythswood St

Poorly maintained lanes - Bath Lane Car dominated environment - M8 motorway

28 29 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION (Y)our Blythswood objectives

Key objective 1 Key objective 5 Shift towards a more efficient, healthy Create diverse building environment and sustainable mobility: with existing buildings: (Y)our updated mobility (Y)our great buildings

Key objective 2 Key objective 6 Repurpose the urban grid to create an Create high density and lively city centre: optimsed ‘tartan’ of street types. (Y)our vibrant Blythswood (Y)our great streets and spaces

Key objective 3 Key objective 7 Create more attractive and remarkable Turn Blythswood into a more vibrant public spaces: mixed neighbourhood: (Y)our great streets and spaces (Y)our vibrant Blythswood

Key objective 4 Key objective 8 Turn the M8 from a disruptive barrier Make Anderston a better place to live, into a connector and activator: learn and work: (Y)our urbanised M8 (Y)our vibrant Blythswood

30 31 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION (Y)our Blythswood projects

In this chapter projects for the Blythswood DRF are summarised. These projects are arranged in 6 themes:

(Y)our updated mobility: To enhance Glasgow’s public transport and active (Y)our urbanised M8: To maintain the benefits of an urban motorway whilst (Y)our great streets and spaces: To optimise Glasgow’s street grid and travel networks to create a sustainable, walkable city reducing its negative impacts address the shortage of quality greenspace

(Y)our great buildings: To respect Glasgow’s fine built heritage with highest (Y)our vibrant Blythswood: To create a lively, convivial, attractive mixed use Transforming (Y)our Blythswood: Create agile policies and shared objectives to quality contemporary design city centre district attract investment, secure funding and foster collaborative working.

32 33 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION (Y)our Blythswood projects list

Each project is accompanied by an Action Plan (Y)our updated mobility (Chapter 9) outlining proposed next and subsequent steps for delivery. Bigger context: shift to more sustainable mobility Key priority projects are marked with an asterisk *. * Ultra low emissions zone To avoid duplication with neighbouring District * Traffic-calmed Blythswood Regeneration Frameworks for Broomielaw, St. Enoch and Central, some projects that apply to * Specialisation in streets (Tartan) Blythswood are not included in this document. * Smarter cleaner bus system These projects are marked in grey text. * Smarter parking in Blythswood * Updated railway stations Street safety and accessibility Updated Anderston station and surroundings Refer to Broomielaw DRF

(Y)our urbanised M8 Bigger context: future city boulevard * Untangled motorway spaghetti Cleaner air, less noise * Connected East - West * Above the M8 New Anderston Cross Refer to Broomielaw DRF Beneath The Bridge Refer to Broomielaw DRF

priority projects: 3

34 35 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION

(Y)our great streets & spaces (Y)our vibrant Blythswood Bigger context: improved public spaces and connections Bigger context: mixed and vibrant city centre * Variation in street character (Tartan) Strong neighbourhood identities * Green street, parks and play spaces Mixed and repopulated Blythswood Updated St Vincent Street * Re-populated Blythswood * Improved West George Street Community infrastructure * Improved Blythswood Square Shopping in Blythswood (Revive Sauchiehall shops) * Blythswood Street Steep Park Working in Blythswood Surface water management strategy * Dining and nightlife in Blythswood Public art Culture in Blythswood Glorious Argyle Street Refer to Broomielaw DRF * Re-purpose vacant spaces Hill to river streets Refer to Broomielaw DRF Big civic park/function Anderston station square Refer to Broomielaw DRF Surface water management strategy Refer to Broomielaw DRF Temporary street events Design for rain Refer to Central DRF Art events in Blythswood Court

(Y)our great buildings Transforming (Y)our Blythswood Bigger context: repaired urban fabric Sustainable Blythswood * Strategy for higher density Blythswood M8 Masterplan * Historic Blythswood Smart Blythswood Lively streetfronts Blythswood brand Design guidelines needed Blythswood performance monitor Re-fashioned Blythswood Court Blythswood conservation area (Y)our Heritage Property Fund Night/time Blythswood Clean and well maintained Blythswood Dedicated Blythswood Team New Blythswood community council

36 37 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION (Y)our Blythswood priority projects

Smarter parking in Blythswood

Dining and nightlife in Blythswood

Historic Blythswood Updated Railway Stations Re-purpose vacant spaces Revitalised Cultural Destinations

Mixed-use development Develop on / over M8 and urban open space Enhance neighbourhood green and play spaces Improved Blythswood Square

Adapt historic West George Street on City buildings Centre Pedestrian Loop Connected East-West Traffic-calmed Blythswood Untangled motorway spaghetti

Blythswood Hill Steep Park Strategy for higher density Blythswood Celebrate and preserve great heritage

Smarter bus network Re-populated Blythswood New Anderston Cross

DRF priority projects represent a group of key Ultra-low emissions zone actions that need to be taken more urgently than others within the DRF strategy. Realising these priority projects will greatly contribute to the development of the whole city centre, with a focus on quality place-making. Delivering these project would lead to a well-developed social and cultural scene, support economic development and enable higher urban density in a vibrant, mixed-use Glasgow city centre. Moreover they will act as catalysts to launch the rest of the projects presented in this DRF.

38 39 © Crown Copyright (Y)OUR UPDATED MOBILITY © Crown Copyright

(Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR UPDATED MOBILITY (Y)OUR UPDATED MOBILITY Current: inefficient mobility system Analysis mobility system

The M8 motorway cuts through the district, separating Anderston from Blythswood Hill and the Central Business District. Routes south to the River have been disrupted by the Clydeside Expressway, Stations are hindered, and surrounded Junction 19 and the former Anderston Centre. Most by poor quality public space consultees highlighted the pronounced negative impact of this road infrastructure on the area. Improving better east-west connections is crucial. Many consultees recognised the accessibility of the area by public transport. However it was also acknowledged by many consultees that the quality of the passenger experience is poor and needs improved. Buses are concentrated along busy, noisy routes whilst the two low level stations are both very unwelcoming and difficult to access. Car dominated city grid Many cited the poor quality of the pedestrian Disrupting M8 motorway experience and disjointed cycle network (despite erased previous links recent welcome investment in the area). The car dominated streets and hilly topography results in challenging pedestrian environments and cycle routes. Better enforcement and regulation of car traffic coupled with the redevelopment of pedestrian and bike network was sought by many to create a more active, convivial business district. Clydeside Expressway severs links to riverfront Urban grid disrupted by former Anderston Centre and big hotels

Large underdeveloped spaces used as car parks

42 43 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR UPDATED MOBILITY (Y)OUR UPDATED MOBILITY Current: disrupted traffic network Analysis mobility system

Motorway creates severance - M8 Challenging topography for pedestrians and cyclists - Blythswood St

Poor quality train station entrance - Charing Cross Station Disconnected traffic network - Kent Road

44 45 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR UPDATED MOBILITY (Y)OUR UPDATED MOBILITY (Y)our updated mobility Overview mobility projects

Major mobility improvements include: Avenue enhancements on Sauchiehall - Reduced allocation of space for cars in Street, Argyle Street and St Vincent Street the city street grid. - Create hierarchy of street functions in Updated stations and surroundings ‘tartan’ street grid. - This frees up space in key streets by allowing local car traffic only (eg. West George St). - Enhanced pedestrian and cycle priority routes and streets. - Create efficient edge of city centre car parking along M8 corridor, combined with consolidated on-street parking. Improved pedestrian network - Updated stations and surrounding areas at Charing Cross and Anderston Stations. - Smarter, more comfortable and cleaner bus system.

Better bike network and facilities

Updated Station and surroundings Repair broken links and create shortcuts

City parking

46 47 © Crown Copyright (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR UPDATED MOBILITY (Y)OUR UPDATED MOBILITY (Y)our updated mobility Bigger context: shift to more sustainable mobility

Glasgow needs to shift away from its strong Strategies for reducing car traffic in the city centre dependency on cars. Cars use space inefficiently, • Probably the most important project of all: Work they pollute and make streets unattractive and on a new ambitious transport strategy for the unsafe. The city of Glasgow has three great City of Glasgow that considers all modes of assets: transport needs to be started as soon as possible -- The rail and subway infrastructure is a legacy of Glasgow’s Victorian Heritage when the city • A shift to more sustainable modes of transport is had almost twice the number of inhabitants instrumental to make the city more liveable. -- Most streets are wide so there is enough space to introduce lanes for cyclists and widen footways. Cars are like water. If you reduce capacity in one spot they will flow via another route. That is why -- A range of options will be explored as part of car circulation should only be considered at a city the City Centre Motorway Strategy, including and regional level. Work on a new ambitious those related to overall connectivity and transport strategy for the City of Glasgow that accommodation of local and regional traffic considers all modes of transport needs to be across the M8 and M74-M73 corridors. started as soon as possible. Re-thinking/ However, any proposals would need to be coordination of the bus system is crucial. Intense tested and aligned with regional strategy and collaboration with Transport Scotland and other agreed with Transport Scotland. national agencies is crucial. -- Glasgow should use these three assets to Park+Ride: Transfer from car to public transportation change its ‘modal split’ to more sustainable modes of transport. By intelligently moving the Location: Glasgow city region. car to the periphery of the city centre, and by creating a seamlessly integrated public transport and cycle network, the city will become more attractive, more liveable and it will attract new investments.

Park+Walk: Change motorist to pedestrian New High St Future continuation of EERR

A728(EERR) replaces High St for local car traffic circulation

National through traffic

Downgrading of High St through the implementation of wider car loop Bike+Ride: Extend the reach of public transportation with the bike

48 MEASURES CAN ONLY BE 49 PROPERLY ACCESSED IN WIDER CITY CONTEXT (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR UPDATED MOBILITY (Y)OUR UPDATED MOBILITY

(Y)OU (Y)our updated mobility PRIORITYR

P R Ultra low emission zone O JECT

Once Low Emissions Zone is in place, monitor impacts and assess benefit / scope for change to • Low emissions zone can help to improve air achieve Ultra Low Emissions Zones targets. Many quality with limited public investment and within consultees referred to perceiving poor air quality in relatively short amount of time central Glasgow. Many highlighted benefit of electric only buses in city centre, and of reducing road traffic as desirable.

Location: City centre and surroundings.

50 51 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR UPDATED MOBILITY (Y)OUR UPDATED MOBILITY (Y)our updated mobility

City Centre M8 as part of the Traffic-calmed Blythswood wider traffic capacity options

A complete re-thinking of the car circulation in the city centre is needed. The city centre largely has • Only the cars that need to be there enter the city an orthogonal grid; this makes system changes centre. Other cars drive around fairly simple. Historically the car circulation in the • The reduced amount of cars increases the city centre was straightforward: parallel streets with quality of the city centre alternating directions. • These measures stimulate the city’s economy One proposal is to revert to that system, utilising rather than limiting it the wider capacity across the M8 + East End Regeneration Route / Clyde Gateway. This simple change turns the city centre into a zone for local traffic only. Through-traffic is limited to some Further study as integrated part of a refreshed City hundreds of vehicles per day. This is a system that Centre Transport Strategy is crucial. is used in many comparable cities.

The key public spaces would form the logical Location: Glasgow city region National through traffic divide between the zones: The ‘golden Z’ (Sauchiehall St, Buchanan St, Argyle St) and the river. This means that these public spaces become almost free of traffic. Crossing directly from one Possible concept for the city centre circulation system zone to the other will remain possible for service vehicles and buses.

Key public streets are full of cars

Calmed streets Busy motorway cut toward city centre through city fabric

Through car traffic between zones is not allowed

MEASURES CAN ONLY BE 52 53 PROPERLY ACCESSED IN WIDER CITY CONTEXT (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR UPDATED MOBILITY (Y)OUR UPDATED MOBILITY

This project deals with a couple of challenges and opportunities: • Makes a more attractive city -- Glasgow’s urban grid is fantastic but analysis • Stimulates more sustainable and healthy of the streets supports the view of many mobility stakeholders that there is a lack of variety • With the width of Glaswegian streets there is which makes wayfinding and navigation enough space available difficult. This is compounded by the one-way system which confuses many pedestrians and • This project deals with the mobility aspects of drivers. There is potential for more variation the streets. See ‘(Y)our great streets and and quality streets to enhance street hierarchy spaces’ for the spatial aspects. Main and neighbourhood car network Pedestrian promenades and assist intuitive navigation. -- The tendency to allow all users to use almost The proposal is to dedicate the freed-up space to all streets undermines the potential of the grid specific users; creating streets with a particular to achieve optimal connectivity. There are cars, functional profile: dedicated bus streets, cycle taxis, buses, cyclists and pedestrians in most highways, pedestrian boulevards or just green Smart bike parking strategy is needed of the streets, competing for a finite amount of calm neighbourhood streets. This is combined with space. The Glaswegian urban block is more a strict regime of continuous (straight) cycle- and Regulated bus network in city centre compact than many other cities and therefore bus routes from the suburbs right into the heart of there is a higher ratio of street to building the city centre. Resembling a Tartan pattern. As a footprint, nevertheless smarter optimisation of result each street gets its own spatial character as the available street space is necessary. well. -- At the moment cycling, walking or commuting Busy access streets will remain. But they will by bus is very unattractive. To make these become less of an issue; there are parallel routes modes of transport a serious alternative (over for bus and bike and there is always a quiet green the car), routes/networks need to be faster, street around the corner. The concept cannot be more intuitive, comfortable and safe. rigid. At some bottlenecks, different users will need to be combined. -- With the proposed reduction of car traffic in the city centre (no more through traffic, less This approach is consistent with a Smart Grid / street parking, better public transport) street Superblocks concept with local car access space becomes abundant. You can start to between EIIPR / Avenues. Refer to (Y)our Great think about alternative uses for the city centre Streets and Spaces chapter. streets. Bike priority streets Bus priority streets Location: City centre and surroundings.

The tartan concept proposes higher quality streets: more specialised in function and more specific in spatial character. Lanes (Y)our avenues 54 55 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR UPDATED MOBILITY (Y)OUR UPDATED MOBILITY (Y)our updated mobility Smarter cleaner bus network

The bus system in Glasgow is sub-optimal and performs inefficiently. • This project aims to re-think and coordinate the bus system for a more efficient, intuitive, clean -- Regional bus routes traverse the city centre, bus system and a more attractive city centre often in places where they needn’t and shouldn’t be. -- Bus routes / stops which are duplicated for different operators are scattered throughout -- Consider restricting regional bus access the city. through all city centre neighbourhoods, and instead concentrate them through dedicated -- Buses exacerbate congestion and pollution. bus corridors. -- Many bus routes are slow / unreliable and they -- Local buses have a finer-grained network, are do not connect efficiently to other modes of smaller and electric. public transport. The effect will be a more efficient, intuitive, clean -- Allegedly several bus routes have become and reliable bus system serving a more attractive unprofitable. city centre.

This project aims to re-think and coordinate the Location: Glasgow city region. bus system and cope with these issues. -- Fluent connections to the main train stations Currently a sprawl of local and regional bus lines

Regionaal buses from the North zone go directly to Buchanan station Diagram shows one option only, more studies for actual strategy is needed

Small electric local buses driving a finer grained network

Messy bus network in city centre, clean-up and regulated bus service is needed

Regionaal buses concentrated in dedicated bus corridors that touch the main stations

Regionaal buses from the South zone pass through the corridor

A first concept for a more effective and less disruptive bus system

56 57 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR UPDATED MOBILITY (Y)OUR UPDATED MOBILITY (Y)our updated mobility Smarter parking in Blythswood

Investigating the possibility to consolidate and Larger MSCP have major economic / efficiency concentrate large multi-storey car parking (MSCP) benefits over multiple smaller car parks. New • Smart placement of MSCP leads to less on the edge of the city centre in line with current MSCP should encourage electric car useage and congestion in the city centre strategies would; be designed so they can be retrofitted and • More footfall will revive the edge of the retail re-purposed if/when parking demand reduces due district • Serve the city centre, feeding directly to the to automated vehicles parking / re-charging shopping, leisure and cultural centre of outwith the city centre. • Public spaces will be more attractive Glasgow city region. Candidate sites for large scale edge of city centre • Reduce traffic/parking load on the city centre MSCP could include: by catching incoming traffic directly at the city edge. • Adjacent to Anderston Station off the M8 and Clydeside Expressway would serve the city • Release sites currently accommodating car centre, Anderston Station and SEC/Hydro. parking for other development elsewhere in the city centre. • An MSCP over the M8 just North of Sauchiehall Street would serve the western • Take parking from the streets. branch of the ‘Golden Z’. • Drive visitor footfall creating economic Location: Blythswood District. opportunities.

Scope for additional MSCP at the end of Suchiehall St

Existing big MSCP at Buchanan galleries

Calmed city centre traffic with pedestrian and bike friendly design

Parking hub and on-street parking covering the whole city centre Scope for additional MSCP at redeveloped Blythswood Court Direct access to the golden ‘Z’

New integrated parking on Kings St

58 59 Direct access to the river park (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR UPDATED MOBILITY (Y)OUR UPDATED MOBILITY

(Y)OU (Y)our updated mobility PRIORITYR

P R Smarter parking in Blythswood O JECT

- The majority of parking for new developments could be accommodated, hidden from street • Taking cars of the streets means more livable view, inside building blocks or (half streets underground. • Compacting in parking garages is more efficient - Open air/surface parking should be limited to (cheaper) and frees up space for development minimal on-street parking on one side of the street and preferably in parallel bays - Sites currently with off street surface parking should be redeveloped with buildings or turned into quality public space.

Location: Blythswood

Roof treatment and activation Lively plinth

Bigger capacity parking: City centre parking Underground parking e.g. King St redevelopment

Bigger capacity parking: e.g. King St redevelopment Green and light in courtyard and parking Limited on-street parking on neighbourhood streets

Integrated parking in buildings Regulated on-street parking

60 61 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR UPDATED MOBILITY (Y)OUR UPDATED MOBILITY (Y)our updated mobility Updated railway stations

There are two stations within the Blythswood District • New high density mixed use development that need an urgent upgrade: Charing Cross Station should cluster around city centre mainline and Anderston Station. See the Broomielaw DRF for stations. Hidden entrance the Anderston Station project. Station integrated with • Enhanced station environments to improve block building This project proposes improvements to Charing passenger experience should encourage high Cross Station and surroundings (incl. redevelopment patronage and suppress car reliance / road trip of the urban block / adjacent buildings / MSCP site) generation. acknowledging constraints, notably rail tunnel alignment under existing surface car park on • Significant opportunity for rail station to be Elmbank Crescent catalyst rather than constraint for regeneration in western city centre. -- Creating station entrances on principal streets (Bath Street, North Street, Elmbank Street) - -- Scope to build a new bridge that connects Poorly integrated station buiilding relocate station concourse? Elmbank Cresent to Kent Road. Better accesibile station entrances -- Enhance station / passenger experience -- Scope to redevelop the existing multi-storey car including increased capacity for vertical park behind Kings Theatre as part of wider urban circulation to enable increased patronage of the block redevelopment station. -- Opportunity for station building entrance to be -- Strengthening of North-South Connections Current Charing Cross Station Proposed station updates through the M8 City boulevard to connect landmark feature within new urban square / Charing Cross Station to Anderston Station place at Elmbank Crescent -- Improved East-West connections through the Location: Area around Anderston Station and Old High School to connect Charing Cross Charing Cross Station Station to St. Vincent St and West George Street. © Crown Copyright

King’s Theatre Sauchiehall St

Bath St

Potential of new redevelopment integrated with the station St Vincent St

Old High School W George St

Anderston Station - see Broomielaw DRF

62 63 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR UPDATED MOBILITY (Y)OUR UPDATED MOBILITY (Y)our updated mobility Street safety and Accessibility

Streets should be designed in an intuitive and logical way, applying a ‘Designing Streets’ • Many current streets have a traditional layout approach. This means that the design of a street, with a lot of space for cars. More space for square or crossing clearly indicates to car-users, pedestrians and bikes and a less paternalistic cyclists and pedestrians intuitively how to behave; layout creates more awareness and safety where they have priority or whether they are sharing between different users. the space. This means that streets become more differentiated (see Tartan concept). ‘green man’ periods and pedestrian priority traffic-light sequencing, less street markings and • In busy access streets / avenues like Argyle signs cluttering street-scene. This will need further Street / Trongate cars access is maintained with detailing in GCC’s ‘Street Design Guidelines’. a more traditional design (asphalt, footways, zebras). Accessibility for all users is an integral part of Building and Street Design Guidelines. Integrating • In the quieter neighbourhood streets, the car is inclusive design for optimum accessibility for those invited to share the space with cyclists (and with mobility, sensory impairments or autism should maybe even pedestrians). Carriageways can be enable better spaces for all. narrower with setts or equivalent materials. It is proposed to have a Pedestrian and Accessibility • Streets should be laid out to slower design Champion to advocate and secure improved speeds and encourage ‘passive enforcement’ accessibility for all. (Refer to the transforming (Y)our of parking. City Centre companion document) There are less/few pedestrian guardrails, longer Location: Blythswood District.

64 65 (Y)OUR URBANISED M8 REPAIRING THE CITY (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR URBANISED M8 (Y)OUR URBANISED M8 Current: disrupting highway Potential to be upgraded and reconnected

The part of the M8 in Blythswood district is mostly in a cutting (albeit sweeping up over the Charing Cross rail tunnel). At grade / street-level bridges span the motorway connecting the city centre to Anderston and the West End. Whilst these east-west connections are better than those existing in the Broomielaw DRF area, there is widespread agreement that there needs to be improvement of these vital connecting routes, especially for pedestrians and cyclists. Far better integration with surrounding built environment, as well as a better use of the massive amount of leftover space around the M8, presents a great opportunity to vastly improve this part of the city. There is scope to reduce the frequency of motorway junctions thereby reducing spatial impact and improving the efficiency of the motorway. Potential remedial action could take place over and/or along the sunken stretch of M8, albeit the greatest impact would be from a significant reduction of traffic and ultimately the removal of the city centre motorway altogether.

The Mitchell Library - fine example of heritage diminished by the M8 setting

Flyovers create undefined, low quality areas in the surrounding neighbourhoods

Complicated pedestrian fly-over - North St The Mitchell Library - view from Newton St

Tay House demonstrates the possibility to The M8 has a large spatial and reinstate street network with buildings / environmental impact on the city centre development spanning over the motorway

Big gap in the urban structure - St Vincent St Megastructure over the M8 - Bath St

70 71 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR URBANISED M8 (Y)OUR URBANISED M8 Current: disrupted, low quality public space A complicated spaghetti of ramps and flyovers

Argyle St Sauchiehall St

Blythswood

On ground Bridge Slope Sunken Slope On ground Bridge Sunken stretch of the M8

72 73 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR URBANISED M8 (Y)OUR URBANISED M8 Current: disrupted, low quality public space Sunken part of the M8

Tay House

Highway tunnel

Underground railway

74 75 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR URBANISED M8 (Y)OUR URBANISED M8 (Y)our Urbanised M8 Overview M8 projects Charing Cross: please see Sauchiehall DRF City-wide parking above the M8

Glasgow’s city centre seems to be dominated by Buildings on top of the highway the car. Cars take up a disproportionate amount of public space with wide carriageways and parking almost everywhere. This oversized car infrastructure can be seen as a big opportunity: the current car space can be used more efficiently, Redeveloped Charing freeing up space for more sustainable models of Cross Station building transport like cycling and walking. The M8 is the most extreme example. Perhaps there are ways to make the motorway more urban and enable sites along the motorway corridor to be Park on top of the highway Developments around the developed. Zooming out and making more efficient use of the new M74-M73 corridor will be crucial to M8 are allowed to be higher make this happen. Re-routing national trips away from Glasgow city centre will improve air quality, reduce city centre traffic congestion and ultimately demonstrate that we do not need to rely on having a city centre motorway in the long term.

Anderston Cross: see Broomielaw DRF

(Y)our Urbanised M8 is about the better integration of the M8 into the city: • Rethinking the function of the motorway is M8 local traffic crucial for a better city centre: better accessible, options • Reducing the barrier created by the motorway more attractive, healthier, more sustainable by adding or improving street / pedestrian connections between the city centre and the will allow the areas around the motorway to be West End / North of Glasgow (with quality redeveloped. Reduce noise pollution with underpasses and overbridging the M8). sound barriers. Reduce air pollution with less congestions and green ‘low emissions zones’ • Lowering traffic densities by making more restricting polluting cars. efficient use of the new M74-M73 corridor • This very big and complex project is crucial for National traffic to Edinburgh • Initial focus on assessing modification between making Broomielaw, Tradeston, Lancefield M80 and M77 merge, using smart signage / Quay and Springfield Quay (and the city centre restriction to route national trips / HGVs away as a whole) more liveable and for unlocking from city centre. development throughout the area, in • Simplifying and reconfiguring the M8 junctions, collaboration with Transport Scotland and in in combination with an increased capacity of alignment with the emerging City Centre bottlenecks on the network, to create a more Transport Strategy. urban, place-making led approach to city Location: The M8, M74 and M73 between junctions centre motorway junction. 8 and 22 at the reconfigured motorway junctions Concept for through/traffic reduction on the M8 © Crown Copyright • Create ‘City Gates’ rather than ‘traffic machines’ (Incl. J19 to Anderston Cross). • Reducing the environmental impact of the M8

78 79 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR URBANISED M8 (Y)OUR URBANISED M8 (Y)our Urbanised M8 Untangled motorway spaghetti

Currently the M8 is designed like a traffic machine. It has a negative impact on the surrounding city. • Smarter junctions will allow for better cross The ambition is to untangle the M8 knot and connections and less negative spatial impact of reduce the negative impact of the motorway the motorway. Improved city connections should ‘spaghetti’. help stimulate the redevelopment of Blythswood and Anderston The M8 currently has a lot of intersections with the local network. The proposal is to reduce the grade-level T-junction connecting Waterloo St and amount of intersections and make the slip roads Bothwell Street to a sliproad along the M8 which that run parallel to the M8 more important as an would then connect the M8 toward the South. This interface between local network and Motorway. could help improve the area’s connectivity. As part of this project the junctions 17, 18 and 19 Any proposal would have to be developed in should be considered (e.g. no fly-overs, smaller collaboration with Transport Scotland and in space take-up). More compact and ‘human’ alignment with the emerging City Centre Transport crossings will make it easier for pedestrians and Strategy. cyclists to cross the M8. Concept for reconnecting Anderston and Blythswood The possibility of taking out the current fly-over connecting Waterloo Street and Bothwell Street to Location: M8 between Anderston Cross (former the M8 should be explored. This would, for Junction 19) and Woodlands Road instance, include replacing the ramp with a simple

Simplified Charing Cross

New Pedestrian Bridge link

William St and Bothwell Take out flyover St reconnected

MEASURES CAN ONLY BE PROPERLY ACCESSED IN WIDER CITY CONTEXT 80 81 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR URBANISED M8 (Y)OUR URBANISED M8 (Y)our Urbanised M8 Connected East/West

- There is scope to increase the amount of crossing points along the M8 for cyclists and • Continuous pedestrian and car routes from pedestrians. centre to west - Due to the lack of connections the western • Easily accessible Charing Cross station part of the district (Anderston) has declined. It • Greatly enhance connections between is important to consider all possible ways in Anderston / West End and the city centre which the city fabric can be reconnected. • Mitigate against the negative impact of the M8 - The possibility of reconnecting William Street with bridge crossings that temper noise pollution and Bothwell Street will be investigated, and present active / attractive crossing points thereby strengthening the connections between Anderston and Blythswood. This may require raising the street level on both sides of See project Above the M8 : Extended Bridges the motorway. A new bridge can be integrated Location: M8 between Anderston Cross (former with noise barriers and should be attractive, Junction 19) and Woodlands Road spacious and green. - Connecting Kent Road with Elmbank Crescent is a strategic action that will ease access to the Charing Cross train station from the west and increase its usage.

Existing covered patch becomes park with pedestrian friendly connections

North-South connection to connect directly Charing Cross Station to Anderston Station

New connection Charing X station and Kent Rd

New connection between Bothwell St and William St

82 83 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR URBANISED M8 (Y)OUR URBANISED M8 (Y)our Urbanised M8 Cleaner air, less noise Beautiful sound screens Sound absorbing asphalt Clean air zone. No through traffic

A combination of measures reducing the negative environmental impact of the M8. • There is a need to implement remedial steps to reduce pollution. Mitigation through reduced - Make the city centre and direct surroundings a congestion, low emissions zones, sound barriers Low Emission Zone. This should include the and other appropriate measures will be explored M8. • Any efficiencies made by autonomous vehicles - To increase liveability of the city centre, it is should benefit the city / citizens (eg. reduced desirable that sound barriers are installed in carriageways, more people spaces and routes) the stretch of the M8 that runs through the city centre. These barriers are also elements that • When properly implemented people should be add functionality and visual quality to the hardly aware of the motorway surrounding streets.

- Other measures should include sound M8 noise barrier absorbing asphalt and other mitigation measures to reduce the traffic noise, alongside seeking to reduce the congestion on the motorway network by modal shift to public transport and active travel. Location: City centre and direct surroundings

84 85 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR URBANISED M8 (Y)OUR URBANISED M8 (Y)our Urbanised M8 Above the M8: extended bridges

Bothwell St St. Vincent St Elmbank Crescent Bath St Sauchiehall St

The projects ‘Connected East and West’ and ‘Cleaner air, less noise ‘ aim to reduce the negative • Wider bridges with green, play spaces and walls impact of the M8 by taking away blockages, noise, covering views of the M8 to reduce the feeling of smell and views. crossing a motorway thereby removing perceived barriers This project takes it a step further: by widening (existing) bridges it becomes possible to add green, play spaces and perhaps even pavilions onto the bridges, thus further reducing the impact of the motorway. The idea is to deliberately spread the covering- effort over several bridges (instead of decking one part of the M8) so the effect benefits all. An added benefit is the reduced complexity and cost.

Location: Bridges between Anderston Cross (former Junction 19) and Woodlands Road

86 87 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR URBANISED M8 (Y)OUR URBANISED M8 (Y)our Urbanised M8 Above the M8: alternative options

As an alternative or addition to the project Building ‘Extended bridges’, building on top of the M8 • The space above the M8 provides a great motorway can be considered. opportunity for mixed use development and solving issues like parking. Allowing more Space in the city centre is limited. This is one of people to live, work and enjoy the city centre the few spaces left over for: • Mixed use development. • City parking (See: (Y)our updated mobility). • Green and play spaces. Car parking Location: M8 between Anderston Cross (former Junction 19) and Woodlands Road.

Park on top of the highway

Covered patch becomes a park to connect east and west of the M8

Potential area area for a city wide car parking

Mitchell Library Plaza/green space in front of the Mitchell Library

Development underneath the M8 : please refer to Broomielaw DRF

88 89 (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES

Current: unremarkable, car dominated space Wide amount of poor quality green and leftover space from the M8 Analysis streets and public spaces

Much of the public space in the Blythswood DRF has a very low quality. It is dominated by cars, often poorly maintained, and provides very little soft landscaping or green space to enjoy or play in. There are too few positive activities or experiences that can be accommodated within these public spaces. Positive upgrades are planned with the forthcoming EIIPR Avenues Project through City Deal upgrades of main streets including Sauchiehall Street, Argyle Street and (in time) St Vincent Street. This is a Private good quality green space with crucial for attracting investment and visitors to potential to be a great public square Blythswood. Hopefully there is scope to extend the impact of this public realm investment. Blythswood Hill is characterised by the street grid and a fine urban square. These should be enhanced and celebrated. Lack of quality green spaces Open space in Anderston is generally of poor in Anderston Steep streets make the usage of bikes really hard but quality and there is significant scope for they have great potential to be used as linear parks improvement with residual space between development given over to play, community gardens and more attractive urban spaces meeting the standard befitting a city centre neighbourhood.

92 93 © Crown Copyright (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES Current: unremarkable, car dominated space Analysis streets and public spaces

Steep roads make cycle routes hard to be implemented - Bothwell St Opportunity to greatly improve urban setting - Blythswood Sq

Car prioritised crossing - Bath St Low quality street with no active frontages - St. Vincent Terrace

94 95 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES (Y)our great streets and spaces Overview streets and spaces projects

• Improved connections over the M8 motorway to restore links erased by its construction. • Blythswood Square transformed into a quality urban square / public park. Improved connections over the M8 • Taking advantage of the topography to create an attractive all year / all weather urban playground on Blythswood Street, benefitting from slope and great views. • West George Street will be redefined as a key part of a pedestrian loop connecting George Square, Blythswood Square to the River Park, Improved Blythswood Square Charing Cross Station and the West End. • St Vincent Street is the main East-West route with incredible urban vistas: major improvements in the quality of the streetscape. Improved W. George Street • Park and Play Spaces: overall provision for an improved public space that rejuvenates empty sites and leftover spaces with public parks and playgrounds (especially in Anderston) Updated St. Vincent Street Great development potential

Attractive Blythswood Court

Blythswood St Steep Park

Please see Broomielaw DRF

Glorious Argyle Street

96 97 © Crown Copyright (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES (Y)our great streets and spaces Bigger context: improved public spaces and connections

The proposed ambition to improve public space in the city centre should consist of these key • Increase attractiveness of walking and cycling to elements: induce more active travel and less reliance on private car The River Clyde corridor is converted into Glasgow city centre’s biggest city park (see River Park • Good neighbourhood amenities such as green chapter). spaces and play spaces make the centre more attractive for inhabitants, visitors and investors The City Deal funded Avenues project upgrades principal streets within the city centre. • Spectacular parks and events squares will attract more tourists/visitors and supplement The tartan street grid concept proposes clearer increased footfall to boost the economy street hierarchy to optimise the urban grid and create higher quality streets: more specialised in function and more specific in spatial character. An urban Event Square as part of the re-development of the King Street site in St. Enoch Improving pedestrian and cyclist links to make a to plug a gap in event space provision as part of a fine-grained, comfortable and logical network; more optimal hierarchy of city centre public events repairing historic connections which have been spaces should be considered. severed or attending to obvious missing links. The tartan concept proposes higher quality streets: more specialized in function This would relieve George Square and St. Enoch and more specific in spatial character. A series of pocket parks should be added to Square from overly intensive, insensitive uses. compensate for the lack of quality public green and play spaces within the city centre. Location: City Centre

City centre pedestrian routes connect different key public spaces

EIIPR Avenues N-S routes through Marriott and Blythswood Court

Argyle St reconnected

New East-West lanes and plazas

98 99 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES

(Y)OU (Y)our great streets and spaces PRIORITYR

P R Variation in street character (Tartan) O JECT

This concept deals with a series of challenges and opportunities: • Makes a more attractive and livable city • The street grid is fantastic but a bit repetitive. • Stimulates more sustainable and healthy mobility There is potential for more variation and Busy access streets quality, to create a more legible street grid • With the oversize of Glaswegian streets there is Calm neighbourhood streets which is easier to navigate. enough space available Pedestrian promenades • At present cycling, walking or commuting by • Review one-way system and verify optimal traffic Bike priority streets bus can be very unattractive. To make management Bus priority streets sustainable mobility (active travel and public Lanes transport) a serious alternative (over the car), © Crown Copyright This means that the street design can vary (even routes/networks need to be safer, faster, more The first aspect that defines the character of the street: The traffic function. intuitive, reliable and comfortable. within one street) according to the use. For example: • With the proposed reduction of car traffic in the city centre (no more through traffic, less • In quiet neighbourhood streets, the extra street parking, better public transport) street space can be dedicated to green private front space becomes even more abundant. It gardens. therefore becomes possible to start to think • In main pedestrian routes like West George about reallocating space within the city centre Street, Bothwell Street or Blythswood Square streets. footways can be widened with space for cafe / This project refers to the spatial aspects of the terraces and trees (in-ground or containers). streets. See ‘(Y)our updated mobility’ for the traffic • In bike streets a wide bike lane is created. and transport aspects. • In bus streets the extra space goes to The fact that less street space is taken up by cars segregated bus and cycle lanes. and that streets have different functional specialities (see page on the right) can be used to • Any efficiency in the car street network give streets more specific character. This is not a (through better planning or new technologies formal design decision, but as a result of eg autonomous vehicles) should be translated contextual conditions, street function and analysis. in to benefits for pedestrians and cyclists. EEIPR Avenue Other key streets Location: City centre and surroundings. Normal streets © Crown Copyright The second aspect: The hierarchy of streets, the importance in the Glaswegian’s mental map.

Predominantly shops

Predominantly office

Predominantly residential The tartan concept proposes higher quality streets with a more specific spatial character. Mixed uses Not as a formal design decision, but as a result of contextual conditions. © Crown Copyright Predominantly closed facade

The third aspect: The use of the buildings, the liveliness of the plinth (building frontage), streetside activities. 100 101 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES

(Y)OU (Y)our great streets and spaces PRIORITYR

P R Variation in street character (Tartan) O JECT

Busy access street (20m width*) Pedestrian promenade (20m width*)

Calm neighbourhood street (20m width*) Bike priority street (20m width*)

* Glasgow city centre street width from 18m to 25m in general.

102 103 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES

(Y)OU (Y)our great streets and spaces PRIORITYR

P R Variation in street character (Tartan) O JECT

Bus priority street (20m width*)

The Glasgow city centre grid lends itself to the Superblock concept pioneered in Barcelona. the opportunity exists to reduce car penetration by allowing local access only between principal streets (eg the ‘Avenues’). This should be piloted between Sauchiehall Street / Bath Street and St. Vincent Street around Blythswood Square.

* Glasgow city centre street width from 18m to 25m in general.

104 105 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES (Y)our great streets and spaces Green streets, parks and play spaces

Glasgow needs more green and more play spaces: • Vital to creating more attractive public spaces Create green roofs to enhance • Besides the bigger green spaces like the River and changing the perception of the area biodiversity and attenuate water (‘Sponge City’) Park and Glasgow Green, smaller parks, Intensify urban density by squares and green street are desirable • Will make a more healthy and happy city ‘topping up’ buildings throughout the city centre. In Blythswood the available space is limited. The biggest opportunity is to intensify the green quality of grid are grand and many offer long vistas due Blythswood Square. There is scope to close off to the topography. a few streets and turn them into smaller parks/ play spaces (See Blythswood Street Steep • A robust ‘Tree Plan’ needs to be developed together with the different Council departments Park). And the possibility of turning more roofs Create publicly accessible Activating green spaces in Blythswood into green spaces should be investigated. to ensure that maximum ‘greenness’ is ‘pocket parks’ achieved within the technical and financial • The number of trees in Glasgow’s city centre constraints. This will need further detailing in streets needs to be dramatically increased. ‘Street Design Guidelines’, but will be largely Besides making streets more attractive, trees deliverable through the City Deal Avenues are needed to filter micro-particles, absorb CO2 Programme. and create more bio-diversity. Not every street may require trees since there are monumental Location: All Blythswood streets and roofs. vistas (e.g St. Vincent Street should not have street trees) or special street fronts to be protected. In Blythswood streets in the urban

Rooftop public spaces are great viewpoints

Privatized parks are turned into public parks

106 107 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES (Y)our great streets and spaces Updated St Vincent Street

St Vincent Street is part of the EIIPR Avenues project. St Vincent will most likely remain a busy • St Vincent Street, one of the main arteries of car street but the quality of the public space can Glasgow, was fully given over to traffic in recent be greatly improved: better quality, wider history. Now is the opportunity to turn it back into a great street again. pavements, more green. A better balance will be Current situation sought between car traffic and quality space for cyclists and pedestrians. It is important that the upgrade of St Vincent Street does not stop at the M8. The bridge over the motorway and the most western part of the street deserves to be upgraded to a similar standard as the city centre portion that is upgraded in the Avenues project. Dealing with wind tunnelling effects at the areas adjacent to the motorway are a significant challenge. It is also important that the upgrade does not stop at the facade. Work with owners and entrepreneurs to upgrade the facades, find uses for empty and under occupied buildings. Proposed situation Location: St Vincent Street between Argyle Street and Buchanan Street.

Great potential to reconstruct the street frontages

Great number of valuable historical buildings

Critical buildings to be improved

108 109 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES (Y)our great streets and spaces Improved West George Street

West George Street is not part of the EIIPR Avenues project but it is desirable that this street • For livability it is important that Blythswood also also gets investment to enable it to become part of has quiet and green streets, as an alternative to a Pedestrian Loop connecting George Square busy access and shopping streets (and Queen Street Station), Blythswood Square Current situation and the River. With the proposed change in traffic circulation (See (Y)our updated mobility, Tartan Concept) West George Street can become part of a ‘Smart Grid’ to become a more quiet/local green street. A welcome alternative to the busy Sauchiehall and St Vincent Streets (Avenues), connecting the city to the West End. A public pedestrian link through the former High School at Elmbank Street that links West George Street and Blythswood Square to Charing Cross Station in a more direct way is an important part of this project. Proposed situation Location: West George Street, link through the former High School at Elmbank Street, through to Charing Cross Station.

Direct connection to Kelvingrove park

Park above M8 in front of Mitchell Library

Glasgow City Council offices. Former High School

West George St part of the greater city centre system of pedestrian loops

110 111 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES (Y)our great streets and spaces Improved Blythswood Square

Blythswood Square is one of the most remarkable spaces in Blythswood. It is a well proportioned • The Blythswood DRF has no public park or Open up the park for public use classical garden surrounded by beautiful buildings green space. Blythswood Square could and in the urban grid. should fulfil the role as a great urban square and green space amenity in the city centre. The privately owned central garden within the No through traffic fenced off area in the middle of the square used to -- Scope to program more activities in the park be open to public but after a recent negative to create a destination in the city. experience this space has been closed to public. Pavilions -- Reduce traffic intensity in the streets (local The streets around the park are currently traffic only -Smart Grid) so more space can be Loop towards George Square dominated by parking. given to footway with green and terraces. In a public-private collaboration, this project aims -- Reduce parking on the square (move off-street to re-open the park for public use and upgrade the and/or streets directly next to the square). streets around it: -- Improved streetscape quality with natural -- Open-up the park to public during day-time. stone finishes to footway and carriageway. Before After -- Intensify the green landscape quality of the park, while respecting its classical, formal character. Location: Blythswood Square

Improved and open to public Blythswood Square

Blythswood Sq as a pause node in the city centre pedestrian routes

112 113 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES (Y)our great streets and spaces Blythswood Street Steep Park W. Regents St W. George St St. Vincent St Bothwell St Waterloo St Cadogan St

For livability of Blythswood, it is important to increase the amount of green- and play spaces. At • Blythswood has no green and play spaces but the moment there is almost no free space an abundance of streets. This project turns Blythswood Square some of those streets into an attraction for all available. This project proposes to close-off some The steep road allows the public streets and transform them into park spaces. Glaswegians spaces to have great viewpoints Blythswood Street is chosen because it is spectacularly steep, provides nice views to the horizon and runs between Garnethill Park, Blythswood Square and the future River Park. But in a way this strategy can be applied to any street. - Guarantee access to buildings with 3m paved strip along facades. - Take advantage of the steepness of the road to create a vibrant, public steep park - Mix of activities: green park, water slide, Sightpoint. Steep green Steep view plaza Steep water slide Location: Blythswood Street between Garnethill Park and Argyle Street.

Turn Blythswood St into a street park and a part of the city centre pedestrian routes

114 115 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES (Y)our great streets and spaces Surface water management strategy Peak overflow Porous pavement for infiltration Green on streets to absorb water Green roofs retain water

Integrated Sustainable Urban Drainage systems as per GCC Surface Water Management Strategy. • Increased intensity of rainfall demands climate change adaptation / resilience to future-proof This strategy lists the steps: city -- Source control (retention and harvesting), • Some areas in the city centre have reached -- Conveyance (retention and infiltration) maximum drainage capacity so innovative solutions are needed -- Storage (ponds and bunkers) -- Preparation for exceedance • When done well, these systems can make public space and buildings more attractive -- Property protection. Not all listed measures in the strategy may be suitable in Blythswood. They may be complicated to enforce / integrate (building development), take up too much space (that cannot be used for e.g. playing) or might cause maintenance issues. Further study is advised. When done well the measures will add quality to the public space and buildings. Location: Blythswood District.

116 117 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES (Y)OUR GREAT STREETS AND SPACES (Y)our great streets and spaces Public art

Art in the public realm should not be just a pretty or provocative object. It should add functionality to a • Great art with an inspiring/functional/activating space as an object (comfort, playing, sporting, aspect is a valuable addition to public space informing, etc.) It should be exceptional (not • When treated lightly, there is a risk of art which mediocre). It should be contextual. It should be well looses appeal quickly and becomes a ‘stand in made, with an adequate budget, so it keeps its the way’ appeal (whether the artwork is temporary or permanent). During the selection process the artist/ designer should prove competence in the cross-over between public-space design and arts. Programme of temporary and / permanent art should be curated by Blythswood District Artist-in- Residence.

Location: Blythswood District.

118 119 (Y)OUR GREAT BUILDINGS (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR GREAT BUILDINGS (Y)OUR GREAT BUILDINGS Historic development

This historic map progression gives a sense of the Blythswood were arranged in an urban grid with Between the splendour of some of Glasgow’s since its construction, with numerous Modernist sequence of development in the Blythswood area Blythswood Square at the summit of the great arterial streets, such as St. Vincent Street, buildings being constructed along its length, of the city. In the 18th century the area on the crest eponymous drumlin hill and this is still clearly Sauchiehall Street and Argyle Street there are including high rise residential slab block in of Blythswood Hill and west was open ground. The evident today. some extraordinary examples of great civic and Anderston and unremarkable Modernist office Blythswood Estate was laid out to plans attributed cultural architecture, including the Kings Theatre, blocks and towers in Charing Cross. to James Craig in late 18th century, however the The architectural embellishment apparent in the the Mitchell Library and the St. Andrew’s Halls area was not fully built out until the latter half of the urban architecture of the late 18th to early 20th (regrettably lost to fire in 1962). The area is undergoing significant change in the 19th century. century architecture signifies the emergence of a early part of the 21st century. The construction of a global city of immense commercial clout and Since the Second World War the western portion of major new headquarters for Scottish Power and a This bold westward expansion coincided with cultural significance. The area contains some of the area has undergone dramatic change. The collection of new office and hotel developments Glasgow rapid expansion as a city of trade and the greatest urban architecture in the UK, perhaps demolition of a large swath of the city to make way has started to redefine the area’s contemporary commerce. The planned urban grid is nowhere exemplified by St Vincent Street with it long vista for the M8 motorway radically transformed this part character. Blythswood is yet again on the cusp of more apparent and extant in contemporary featuring internationally renowned work by ‘Greek’ of the city, creating a rupture in the continuous redefining its role and relationship within the wider Glasgow than on Blythswood Hill. The handsome Thomson, Salmon and Miller. cityscape. The M8 has dominated the area ever cityscape. Georgian townhouses and mansions of

Blythswood area undeveloped.

Blythswood a set-piece in the First extension towards the planned urban grid extension Clyde river

The 1547 city The 1778 city The 1866 city

Dense, continuous cityscape M8 disrupts cityscape and creates severance Disconnected unattractive areas blighted by motorway

The 1951 city The 2012 city © Crown Copyright

122 123 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR GREAT BUILDINGS (Y)OUR GREAT BUILDINGS

Historic development

Disappeared Charing Blythswood Hill was open farmland laid Cross Grand Hotel out for westward expansion of the city.

Buildings in distance demolished

View from North-West corner of Blythswood Sq - Late 1700s Bothwell St - 1890s Charing Cross - 1890s

Modernist depiction of motorway and comprehensive redevelopment plans

The blight of the M8 construction Before the construction of Tay House over the M8

View of The Mitchell Library - 1960s Charing Cross - 1969 Sauchiehall St - 1990s

124 125 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR GREAT BUILDINGS (Y)OUR GREAT BUILDINGS Current: fragmented urban structure Analysis built environment

The Blythswood District is rich with beautiful and spectacular historic buildings. Unfortunately many Densely filled urban fabric, but Glaswegians are concerned at the state of these lack of high quality buildings buildings. The care and attention seems to deteriorate towards the edges of the city centre. Many historic buildings need Extra attention is needed to preserve Glasgow’s more care and attention heritage. New developments should always be of a quality that does justice to the historic environment. Stronger vision is needed to raise standards. The city centre has a fairly low building density. There is scope to fill in the last remaining Train station poorly empty sites to ‘complete’ the cityscape and top-up buildings to allow more people to live work and integrated with surroundings enjoy the city centre. The larger complexes like Blythswood Court and the nearby hotels have poor permeability and disrupt the street layout. Through connections need to be improved from which both the city and the buildings’ occupiers will profit. In the longer term these aspects of the DRF area warrant full redevelopment to optimise these strategically Low quality housing hinders important sites. North-South connections Blythswood Court is disruptive To the west of the DRF area, the motorway and impermeable megastructure large scale slab block flats have had a very negative impact on the livability of the neighbourhood. Initial redefinition of this area with more human scaled development and streets has commenced and should be progressed to repair the damaged urban form in Anderston.

126 127 © Crown Copyright (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR GREAT BUILDINGS (Y)OUR GREAT BUILDINGS Current: badly integrated megastructures Analysis built environment

High value historic building to enhance - Mitchell library - North St Tay House over the M8 - Sauchiehall St

Poor quality building with no active frontages - Pitt St Building frontage does not engage with streetscape - St. Vincent Terrace

128 129 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR GREAT BUILDINGS (Y)OUR GREAT BUILDINGS (Y)our great buildings Overview building projects

• Promoting innovative and high quality urban infill for higher density city centre: more people living, working and enjoying the city centre. Upgraded Sauchiehall Street • Encouraging taller buildings and higher density along the M8, Integrated historic buildings • Investigate possibility for development above the M8 • Break through megastructures and repair urban fabric (eg. Blythswood Court and St. Vincent Terrace west of M8). • Heritage buildings should be properly Consider option of new maintained and sensitively integrated with any development over M8 new development. Reconstructed M8 City boulevard edges • Upgraded building street fronts on key streets and squares, including Argyle Street, Golden Z, and Blythswood Square. • Use building guidelines to increase quality of existing and new buildings and strengthen character of neighbourhoods Refashioned Blythswood Court

Glorious Argyle Street

See Broomielaw DRF

130 131 © Crown Copyright (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR GREAT BUILDINGS (Y)OUR GREAT BUILDINGS (Y)our great buildings Bigger context: repaired urban fabric

For the success of the city centre it is crucial that Priority goes to the mega structures Blythswood more people live, work and visit. This can be done Court and the flats along Western St Vincent • Glasgow is one of Europe’s great historic cities, by occupying the last remaining empty sites, Street. Ground floors should be activated and with an immense architectural heritage. re-using existing empty or under-used buildings directed to the streets. The blocks should be • More people living and working in the city centre and by topping-up existing buildings. The opened up for through connections. In the longer makes the city more attractive and economically intensification requires high quality and the right term complete redevelopment of these sites is competitive mix of uses. preferred. • Well defined, active public spaces framed by Blythswood District has some vacant sites, notably Location: Blythswood District quality buildings will create a more convivial city along the M8 corridor where there are excellent which is welcoming, safer and easier to navigate opportunities to make better use of land and around improve spatial quality of that area. • Repairing and revitalising the city centre with New developments should be supporting to the care and a commitment to high quality new surrounding context. New buildings should buildings and reactivated historic buildings will reconstruct the street profile and respect the be widely supported adjacent (historic) buildings. They direct their most lively/attractive functions and their best architecture to the street. It is crucial that the Council takes control of the quality of new developments through design guidelines.

Reconnected Buchanan Galleries

Higher density Central

Repair Argyle St

Reconnected St. Enoch

Potential development site

Long term re-development

Improved streetfront

Conservation area 132 133 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR GREAT BUILDINGS (Y)OUR GREAT BUILDINGS (Y)our great buildings Strategy for higher density Blythswood

The goal is to get more people to live, work and enjoy the city centre. New developments require a higher • High density in city centres and especially density but how can this be achieved: around transport hubs is more sustainable: less car use, more lively/safe streets, energy efficient • while at the same time providing light and sunny buildings streets? Buildings in the conservation area are required to • When carefully done it will be pleasant and follow the Glasgow City Council Height guidelines • when there are so few sites left? human. • while the centre is historically protected? • It can be done with respect for the city’s heritage A dual strategy is proposed to safeguard quality: towers. This guarantees light/sun and views for • Within the Conservation Area it is possible to the surrounding city. Towers stand on a base that build new to the same average height as the follows and activates the street edges. surrounding buildings. Any volume that sticks out needs to be slender* and have exceptional In the high-rise area, building must be slender Building Guidelines are needed for both areas to and transparent to allow maximal sun exposure quality (similar to historic church domes and specify exactly the quantity and quality of new towers). developments. • Outside the heritage zone (along M8 and in Anderston) there are no (or limited) height * Slender: width to height ratio is minimum 1:3 restrictions, as long as towers are slender from all sides and there is sufficient space between Location: Blythswood District.

134 135 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR GREAT BUILDINGS (Y)OUR GREAT BUILDINGS

(Y)OU (Y)our great buildings PRIORITYR

P R Historic Blythswood O JECT

The goal is to keep as many historic buildings as possible and restore the ones that are in a poor • Investing in renovation of heritage buildings is condition. Historic buildings that were originally worthwhile as it increases character/value of the part of a row of buildings (but now stand alone) surroundings can again become part of a bigger urban block. • It also forces developers and architects to go Special attention should be paid to buildings that beyond standard (often soul-less) practice have been designated buildings at risk. These are a key facet of Glasgow’s story and enrich the city, if not maintained they will be lost forever. Other heritage assets are undermined by their There are some significant historic buildings that setting. The Mitchell Library is blighted by the M8, require special attention. The former High School on and the surrounding streets. These external spaces Elmbank Street is located in a pivotal location should augment a full redefinition of the city’s adjacent to Charing Cross Station and Blythswood greatest library as a contemporary storehouse of Square. It could become a vibrant, attractive knowledge and culture. mixed-use destination. These, and the wider array of heritage assets ‘Greek’ Thomson’s St. Vincent Street Church is a across Blythswood, have a great value and when world renowned masterpiece that warrants special improved will become the areas’ new highlights. care and attention. Location: Blythswood District.

Maximum priority to be given to Integrating listed buildings the buildings at risk Masterplan for former High School Site

Mitchell Library

The Beresford Former High School St Vincent church St Patrick R C church

Emphasising historical buildings

136 137 Mitchell Library St. Vincent Street Church (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR GREAT BUILDINGS (Y)OUR GREAT BUILDINGS (Y)our great buildings Lively streetfronts Setbacks and cuts Canopies or galleries protect Strong visual Attractive Green Space for all users bring light to the street against rain and wind connection in-outside materials

-- The ground floor (plinth) is where the building interacts with the street. To make Glasgow’s • Perhaps the most important (and currently city centre streets more attractive and safe, a underestimated) element of a successful city strong focus on beautiful, active and centre accessible building plinths is needed. • Maximum effort needed. Without good plinths -- It is advised to actively engage with and there is NO good city stimulate owners and users of existing ground floor spaces to revamp streetfronts. Location: Blythswood District. -- The diagram below sets the priority for the upgrade of building plinths (more lively, more attractive) to primary and secondary streets, the river front, Argyle Street and the Golden Z stand out as primary streets. With the exception of Buchanan Street, the plinths in these streets are currently not up to the quality expected in an important shopping destination like Glasgow. -- Ambitious Building Design Guidelines are needed to precisely describe the standards for each type of ground-floor use. Including housing. See: “Design guidelines needed”

138 139 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR GREAT BUILDINGS (Y)OUR GREAT BUILDINGS (Y)our great buildings Design guidelines needed Sound barriers Lively plinths Higher buildings Lively plinths 1/2 Improve facade Canopy along M8 layers facing street

The city centre needs ambitious area-specific design guidelines for buildings, developing from • Stronger guidance from the council is needed the Placemaking Principle guidance in the City on building and street design quality within Development Plan. This will lead to buildings with districts. higher quality and stronger urban character. All parties should be clear on the desired character of • Too much freedom / lack of guidance can tend new developments. It is advised to make to poor quality buildings / spaces guidelines for all areas within the Blythswood DRF; create a strong relation between inside and • Protected Georgian Blythswood, the M8 outside (e.g. with balconies or loggias). corridor (the area on either side of the • The architecture offers experience at all motorway), the more historic streets of scales: the skyline, the streetscape, the Anderston further West. elevation and the façade detail. A first inventory of topics that should be part of • Visibility of unattractive functions (parking, such guidelines could include; utilities) is kept to a minimum and (when • Buildings that contribute to ‘make’ streets and visible) is carefully designed. squares. • Buildings are flexible for different uses and • Building form to ensure light and positive transformation over time. Ground floors have microclimate at street level. high storey heights, allowing them to absorb • Buildings that are human scaled, different functions. heterogeneous in architecture/shape. • Alternatives to the above principles are • The ground floor is the most important element possible as long as it leads to comparable or of the building. This is where lively and better quality. M8 City Boulevard Glorious Argyle Street attractive functions are located. • On upper floors maximum effort is made to Location: Blythswood District.

Mixed house types negihbourhood

M8 City Boulevard

Higher buildings along the M8 city boulevard Mixed-use buildings in Central area

Glorious Argyle street

Refers to Broomielaw Masterplan

140 141 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR GREAT BUILDINGS (Y)OUR GREAT BUILDINGS (Y)our great buildings Refashioned Blythswood court

Blythwood Court is currently a badly integrated • A stepped strategy for reprogramming and unattractive 70’s structure with lots of vacant opening up Blythswood Court allows to turn the spaces. But it is also one of the few places in the complex from a burden into an asset. More city centre where people live as well. Something to attractive and more permeable. Without pushing cherish. the inhabitants out of the centre Current situation • On short term, the empty spaces in the podium should be programmed with functions that enliven the complex (start-ups, day care, • In the longer term there is also scope to non-profits, artists). The complex routing Improve living quality through the buildings, that currently make it an restructure or redevelop the Hilton and Marriott obstacle, can be shortened and marked in a Hotels in a similar way. See Broomielaw DRF creative and fun way. Turning the building into for more information. an art piece: “Blythswood Art Court”. Location: the megablock(s) between the M8, • On the longer term the proposal is to radically Douglas Street, Argyle Street and Bothwell Street. Activation of the rooftop restructure the lower levels of the building, or possibly completely redevelop the complex. This will allow the reintroduction of North-South streets and add lively and attractive street-facing facades.

Proposed situation: achieving permeability of the building with pedestrian connections

Attracting ground floor

Proposed situation: removal of existing plinths and activation of the ground floor

Lively human-scale neighbourhood

The wide footprint of Blythswood Court requires the area to be heavily improved

Proposed situation: demolition of Blythswood Court and establishment of a new neighbourhood

142 © Crown Copyright 143 (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD Current: Neighbourhood identity Analysis program and neighbourhood character

Sauchiehall Street Struggling retail street with lively nightlife area Buchanan Street Blythswood Main shopping street with University Historical buildings with lively and good quality public Isolated yet lively area mainly office usages; quiet spaces dominated by students streets Anderston Queen Street Isolated and quiet neighbourhood severed by Station M8 Busy train station area

Centre George Square Business area with some mixed The only formal public square Blythswood Court uses. in Glasgow Poorly integrated 70s megastructure with lots of Royal Exchange Square vacant spaces Set-piece urban setting with a strong character

Within the extents of the Blythswood District Regeneration Framework area there are numerous Central Station neighbourhoods and character areas, often Major rail station with variety of retail Merchant City synonymous with particular activities or major Vibrant, mixed-use buildings, or framed by historic or more recent and leisure uses clustered around infrastructure. Broomielaw neighbourhood with potential to The Blythswood DRF area is characterised by Monofunctional business be further improved central Glasgow’s urban grid bisected by the M8 district lacking vitality motorway. The motorway now severs neighbourhoods that were once connected, notably Anderston. St. Enoch Cities are in constant change - any many of Disjointed area dominated by shopping mall. Blythswood’s neighbourhoods and character areas are in various stages of maturity and transition. River Clyde Low quality, under-used public space © Crown Copyright 146 147 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD Current: Provision amenities around Blythswood

• Currently there are too few local / neighbourhood amenities in the city centre. This is one of the reasons why people don’t want to live there. • Increased community infrastructure should accompany increased city centre residential development and higher density of working populations. • There is a lack of visitor and cultural attractions in the fringes of the city centre. Especially to the south. It is important to locate attractions to draw visitors to those areas and support regeneration. • Analysis of the location of attractions / destinations should inform the alignment of key routes across the city centre.

Too few local/neighbourhood amenities in the city centre

Lack of attractions in the fringes of the city centre

148 149 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD Current: Neighbourhood identity Analysis program and neighbourhood character

Recently refurbished housing blocks west of M8 still lack active frontage Blythswood Court partially redeveloped

Nearby leisure destination - Finneston Low quality gateway in to the city centre - Charing Cross Station

150 151 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)our vibrant Blythswood Bigger context: mixed and vibrant city centre

• More attractive neighbourhoods Townhead: Calm living neighbourhood Sauchiehall Street: small scale shopping street with sport facilities and convenient • Better guidance for future developments with local shops and small cafes, diverse nightlife public amenities

With the re-population of the city centre, more local University: ‘Student hub’ amenities and more visitor attractions, the Blythswood: ‘Connecting lively integrated area great character/profile of each neighbourhood will be neighbourhood’ mixed usage, for studying and living much stronger and more attractive and will Finnieston: vibrant emerging city many nice restaurants district, night-life destination therefore be more attractive to investors. Anderston: ‘Re-united neighbourhood’ Being clear about what you want with each better connections revive local economy neighbourhood helps the Council to sharpen the Central: Central area with policy and avoid ad hoc decisions. nicely mixed and lively urban spaces George Square: High quality formal public square Location: City centre and surroundings. Blythswood Court: ‘Art Court’ a playground for arts Merchant City: Popular nightlife and entertainment area

Buchanan: ‘Golden I’ street with superior shopping and Amenities in the centre’s fringes Lancefield Quay: ‘The new eating amenities West’ living and SECC related functions Broomielaw: ‘IFSD rebooted’, iconic riverfront, biggest city park along the water

High St: historic street, lively and activated plinth, cultural activities

St. Enoch: ‘Surprising Glasgow’, culture, events, creative industry

Springfield Quay: ‘Playquay’ Riverview: ‘City Centre postcard city centre fun park, better view’, high-end living area St. Andrews in the Square: ‘Secret connected, higher quality Square’, semi-private quiet areas River Clyde: ‘Floating city’ with cafes, restaurants the biggest and best city park of Glasgow There should be more local amenities in the city centre in order to re-populate it. And at the same time new public amenities surrounding the city Tradeston: ‘City Centre South’: centre should be introduced to activate the reconstructed, pedestrian and bike friendly neighbourhoods. Glasgow Green: Major city park, main festival space, getaway from urban environment Laurieston: reconstructed city quarter, new housing and updated community infrastructure

Gorbals: quiet residential area, local shops and amenities

152 153 © Crown Copyright (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)our vibrant Blythswood Strong neighbourhood identities

Updated Sauchiehall Street Filling empty spaces and improving the quality of certain buildings especially on ground floor level is part of the strategy to make the Sauchiehall Street lively and inviting space. Improving quality of nightlife in the area by providing diverse range of bars and clubs.

Cool Blythswood Making Blythswood a transforming area of contrasts (Georgian city grid to high quality contemporary architecture). Blythswood Hill can revert to a mixed use neighbourhood with city centre living, employment, leisure, culture, entertainment (Kings and Mitchell) and leisure.

Reconnected Anderston Create safe and attractive gateway connections under / over M8 to restore the historic links between both sides of the motorway. Anderston becomes easily accessible destination for pedestrians and cyclists with great links to the city centre, West End and the River Park.

Welcoming Centre Re-modelling the transport system to make the street circulation efficient and safe for all users. Preserving great historical buildings and filling out empty spaces.

Repaired Broomielaw Repairing the urban fabric, achieving the decent level of density by providing diverse range of housing and offices, establishing Blythwood Court Arts Hub safe and welcoming atmosphere by designing great public space. Redefine former Anderston Centre, using under-used space beneath residential towers to create a flourishing lively creative hub, where artists can produce and display their work to public.

154 155 © Crown Copyright (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)our vibrant Blythswood Mixed and re-populated Blythswood

One of the most important goals for the City Centre • Attract more visitors by taking better advantage Strategy is to increase the number of people living, of existing highlights (quality functions / • Reinvigorate Blythswood as a mixed-use working and visiting. This increase ensures mix-use, spatial revamping, making better neighbourhood, to achieve a smoother transition neighbourhoods become more lively (also outside accessible and visible) and by adding new from day-time to night-time economy. This is work-hours), leading to more viable amenities, a remarkable, typically Glaswegian places and necessary to attract more inhabitants, generate more sustainable, walkable and safer city. activities. more space for a variety of businesses and bring more visitors in to the area to enliven the it. • Priority should go to building more housing, so For Blythswood this means: more inhabitants are attracted. Integrating local amenities like schools, health and social • Continuous and lively street fronts on daycare and play / recreation facilities that Sauchiehall St., supporting the regeneration attract and sustain communities of new effort outlined in the Sauchiehall / Garnethill residents is crucial. Some of these facilities may DRF and following GSA fires. be located beyond the city centre. • Diversified building use above ground level, • Take advantage of the various empty sites. adapting an reusing vacant upper floors • Re-purpose empty buildings, consider • Mixed and diverse functions in Blythswood area redeveloping or topping-up of existing low (with a focus on re-population), including density buildings. re-purposing Georgian townhouses. Higher density across the area, especially along the • More mixing of functions on neighbourhood M8 and district level is needed; as future, more diverse, businesses and inhabitants will demand lively surroundings with a mix of urban Location: Blythswood District. amenities

M8 Motorway

Significant challenges for city Adapt buildings for a centre retail on Sauchiehall Street Sauchiehall Street Sauchiehall Street variety of new uses.

Argyle Street Station Argyle Street Station

Charing Cross Station Charing Cross Station

West of the M8 West of the M8 Blythswood Square Blythswood Square

Mono-function office buildings in Blythswood Diverse workplace environments with active Improved neighbourhood west street frontages Scope to redefine vacant of M8 spaces in Anderston west of the M8

public amenities public amenities residential residential shops shops hotel, leisure hotel, leisure office office warehouse etc warehouse etc 156 157 © Crown Copyright (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)our vibrant Blythswood Re-populated Blythswood

One of the most important goals is to increase the • To attract new inhabitants, good community number of people living in the city centre. Whilst infrastructure is required : schools, daycare, • Glasgow city centre is under-populated there are limited gap sites for residential sports, play, health, social places. And it • It needs more permanent residents to create a development there is significant existing building requires more attractive public spaces: green, ‘baseload’ of daily activity and street life stock which is vacant or under-occupied, safe, less car-dominated. especially upper floors or adapting former • More residents will enliven the district and create Georgian townhouses being vacated by offices. • Blythswood Hill was one of Glasgow’s original safer streets that are overlooked and have planned residential extensions. The quality and increased footfall • Repopulating Blythswood will result in a more splendour of the Georgian townhouses in the lively City Centre, more people walking and urban grid is still evident. It has proven to be • Create a more dynamic and lively city centre, cycling (less cars) and it will increase viability an adaptable urbanism which has transformed which has a smoother transition from daytime to of more urban amenities (shops, leisure, to accommodate offices and hotels. night-time economy sports, culture). • Diversify current office and retail-oriented • Blythswood will offer a wide mix of housing: for neighbourhood students, young professionals, families, elderly Location: Blythswood District. people as well as for all budgets, tenures, cultures, long/short stay. This means flats, studio apartments, townhouses, PRS, conversions, car-free developments.

Heart of the neighbourhood: less mixed, higher % of living

West of the M8: Big vacant plot to be filled in with mixed use

158 159 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)our vibrant Blythswood Community infrastructure

• Attention should be paid to providing additional community infrastructure within • Provision of local amenities will attract more walking distance of communities within the city people to live in Blythswood which will result in a centre. This would involve building additional / lively city new schools, social and healthcare services, • Increase in tourism will contribute to local community / civic facilities in and near economy Blythswood to encourage a more diverse and growing population. Some of these facilities may be outwith the city centre and shared with • Providing 24h shops are an essential aspect of surrounding neighbourhoods. city centre living to make the area more • Public space has to provide safe routes to / liveable with food and other necessary from community infrastructure integrating products available 24/7. inclusive design to ensure disabled • The re-provision and relocation of the existing accessibility in a pedestrian and cycle friendly St. Patrick’s RC primary school adjacent to the © Crown Copyright city centre. M8 (J19) should enable reconsideration of city • Every opportunity must/ should be taken to centre schools provision in and around integrate playful environments, encouraging Blythswood. Schools should be located in There should be more local amenities in the city centre in order to children’s play and activity with more quieter locations away from the motorway. re-populate it. intelligently located playgrounds on safer Location: Blythswood District streets to attract more families with young people

24h accessible local shops Disabled friendly public spaces

Provision for school

Improved accessibility on public institutions

Children friendly and safe Blythswood Daycare facilities

160 161 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)our vibrant Blythswood Shopping in Blythswood (Revive Sauchiehall shops)

• Sauchiehall Street has experienced many • Upgrading pedestrian connections between a recent challenges since the publication of the refurbished Charing Cross Station and • Glasgow is the best performing shopping Sauchiehall / Garnethill DRF. Whilst the retail Sauchiehall Street would improve public destination in the UK outside of Oxford Street in sector faces global challenges of ‘click and transport access to the area, augmenting bus London, yet it has a lot of potential to increase collect’ / online retail Sauchiehall Street and improved cycle connections. the quality of shopping experience businesses are also grappling with the impact • The quality of shops, cafes and bars needs to • Blythswood / Sauchiehall St should take of two Glasgow School of Art fires, the advantage of being a major connection between Victoria’s nightclub fire and further disruption. be encouraged to continually improve, with support from the local Business Improvement the centre and the West End and create a • The EIIPR ‘Avenues’ project promises an District and other initiatives. Let’s aspire for distinctive offer which distinguishes itself from opportunity to redefine Sauchiehall Street as more quality restaurants, cosy cafes and the rest of the ‘Golden Z’. the principal route connecting the city centre famous shops! with the West End. • The nearby Blythswood Square area could be • In order for Glasgow to provide an attractive promoted as a host for more high-end and diverse shopping experience reviving boutiques and hotels / restaurants benefiting Sauchiehall Street is of major importance. The from its quiet urban grandeur. Sauchiehall nature of Glasgow’s ‘Golden Z’ is changing Street should be a lively connection to the rapidly and this presents an opportunity to West End; revitalised by creativity, community redefine how Sauchiehall Street contributes; and convivial activities unique to the area bringing together culture (GSA, CCA, GFT), (rather than seeking to duplicate what vibrant night-life (cafes, food, drink, clubs) and Buchanan St and Argyle St offer). improved quality shopping experiences. Location: Blythswood District

Rejuvenate GSA on Garnethill

Public Transport access to Blythswood

162 163 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)our vibrant Blythswood Working in Blythswood

• Blythswood is easily accessed by Charing • In future new office developments in Cross and Anderston Stations (as well as Blythswood need to pay a special attention to • Blythswood can cater for a wide range of Central and Queen Street stations). This creating exceptional public spaces and to workplaces; from corporate headquarters to ensures the area is accessible to commuters, integrating with the surroundings. low-cost incubator / start-up space. augmented by some key arterial bus routes. • Beyond the expansion of sought after ‘Grade • Creating an even more diverse, mixed-use area • The area has long been synonymous with A’ office space inventive re-use and adaptation should be attractive to a wide range of commercial offices whether large scale of under-occupied and vacant buildings businesses; attracting young businesses and buildings such as Britoil / Santander and the including heritage assets such as, perhaps, artists as well as international blue-chip recently completed Sottish Power HQ, or the former High School, or challenging companies. medium and smaller businesses occupying locations such as the former Anderston • Area has a wide scope of locations to build new, historic buildings or post-war office blocks. Centre, should be invigorated with new types interesting and unconventional offices that will of creative workspace / art / maker spaces in benefit the local and city economy and attract • Blythswood has recently become a sought the heart of the city. after office development location, buoyed by and retain talent in Glasgow. the Scottish Power and St. Vincent Plaza • Blythswood has a combination of great developments. This area, and the western end accessibility and some challenging buildings of Bothwell Street, present a significant and spaces that need significant investment or opportunity to redefine these areas adjacent to creative re-use to revitalise the area. the M8 (benefitting from access and repairing the cityscape). Location: Blythswood District

164 165 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)our vibrant Blythswood Dining and nightlife in Blythswood

• Sauchiehall Street is known for its lively nightlife scene with scope to promote a more • Restaurant clusters in Blythwood Square, the diverse, higher quality nightlife hub that Blythswood Court Art Centre and west of M8 will locates new and improved bars and clubs and create a lively movement throughout the a smoother transition from day-time to neighbourhood night-time economy • Areas around assets such as Blythswood Location: Blythswood District Square, Mitchell Library and King’s Theatre should host quality food and drink offer as part of a quality cultural / leisure experience. • Opportunities to create lively, ‘organic’ food / drink / cultural destinations in the city (learning from the successes of Merchant City and Finneston) the former High School and Blythswood Court (Art Hub) offer two very different opportunities to transform this part of the city. Both have potential to be revitalised as creative hubs with studios / galleries with new bars and restaurants to attract activity to these largely under-used assets areas and create important destinations in the city offering something quite different.

Better quality nightlife in Sauchiehall St

West of M8 restaurant cluster

Attracting more people in Blythswood square with restaurants and pubs

Support a local heart in Anderston; between Finneston and city centre

More quality bars and restaurants on Argyle Street

166 167 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)our vibrant Blythswood Culture in Blythswood

• Blythswood has a really diverse cultural offer. It includes the vast splendour of the Mitchell • Architectural legacy should be enhanced and Library (and Theatre), the variety of the Kings brought into attention Theatre with bars and club venues along • Important buildings on the west from M8 have Sauchiehall Street. The adjacent potential to become connectors between the neighbourhood along Sauchiehall Street / centre and the west Garnethill is enriched by Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow Film Theatre and the Centre for revealing the area’s fascinating history in Contemporary Arts. walking and app-based tours and thematic • The southern part of Blythswood (and trails throughout the area. Broomielaw) don’t currently benefit from a • Some of the cultural highlights in the area are significant presence of high or low culture. It is its finest buildings, notably St. Vincent Street proposed that opportunities to revitalise the Church which must be cherished and restored under used podium as an Arts Hub with so ‘Greek’ Thomson’s legacy is maintained for studios, galleries, performance areas and future generations. places for the local communities to interact could help provide a cultural focus in an area • Cultural highlights such as the Mitchell Library which doesn’t benefit from the cultural assets and local assets such as St. Patrick Church of other parts of the city centre. and School should be better connected to the city centre with safer, higher quality • Some of Blythswood’s great architectural connections across the M8 heritage is under appreciated and many consultees reflected on the possibility of Location: Blythswood District

The Garage / Glasgow School of Art Nice ‘n’ Sleazy’s Enhancing Mitchell library surroundings Glasgow Film Theatre

CCA

The Kings Theatre

Blythswood Court podium block transformed into Blythswood Court Art Hub

St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church and School

168 169 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)our vibrant Blythswood Repurpose vacant spaces

A relatively simple and quick way to increase the number of people living and working in Blythswood • Repurpose under used or poor quality shops/ district is to re-purpose existing vacant or bars/warehouse spaces under-occupied buildings. This is crucial to • The potential of existing empty spaces will be enhance the liveliness and positive perception of realised and will enrich an already vibrant the area. neighbourhood As a minimum the city should make the process as easy as possible: • The presence of numerous vacant buildings • Minimise legal and technical restrictions. Look can be seen as a potential opportunity to for solutions instead of issues. tackle the under-population by providing cheap living space for students, creatives and • Positive legal and financial incentives. young professionals. • Actively engage with owners. • Repurposing those buildings into new studios, offices, shops and bars/restaurants will enlive • A ‘one stop shop’ at the council that facilitates Blythswood and create a more mixed all aspects of the process. (ref (Y)our Vacant population. Space Fixer) Location: Blythswood District

170 171 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)our vibrant Blythswood Remarkable public space

• Is there a building, public space or function that turns Blythswood into a major destination? • Having a key public space / buildings will increase the liveliness of the area and make it • Blythswood Square becomes a grand public more attractive to visitors as well as potential square: an attractive destination with new inhabitants programmed activities; • The M8 City Boulevard Park / Garden creates a North-South high quality promenade on both sides of the motorway with new buildings with active frontages; • Blythswood Court transforms into a vibrant art hub complex to attract young people and entrepreneurs; • The Blythswood Street Steep Park could be a remarkable playground from which to enjoy amazing view of Glasgow City Centre and a vista to Southside. There should be more public amenities and visitor attractions surrounding the city centre to activate the neighbourhoods.

Location: Blythswood District

Existing landmarks to preserve and enhance M8 Garden link to Blythswood Square becomes an inviting the Mitchell park accessible for everyone

M8 City Boulevard

Attractive steep park

Redeveloped Blythswood Court

172 173 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)our vibrant Blythswood (Y)our vibrant Blythswood Temporary street events Art event

• Temporary events bring peoples attention to Make the successful art scene in Glasgow more the importance of dealing with redevelopment • Temporary use of empty buildings creates the visible/present for Glaswegians and visitors – eg • Make the successful art scene in Glasgow more of empty plots in Blythswood; much needed buzz in the area and in the mean GI Festival. visible/present time fulfils a space requirement • Lanes in Blythswood should be filled with • The art festival can be part of other temporary • Activates and revives vacant/neglected parts of temporary activities such as music events, project and events like: the rooftop event, a the city centre festivals, pop-up stores, etc., cleaned up and street festival, etc. eventually activated. • The Glasgow School of Art should be involved • Replicating examples implemented in other in an event for students to showcase their cities, ideas such as a temporary waterslide in thesis projects; Blythswood Street could attract people and make the most out of an otherwise dull and • Blythswood Court is turned into an Art generic street scarcely used by pedestrians; complex where artists can take advantage of the abundance of space to showcase and • Temporary closure of one street for an event work; such as market, music concert or sport tournament would attract people and improve the conviviality of Blythswood Location: Blythswood District.

Location: Blythswood District

174 175 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR VIBRANT BLYTHSWOOD (Y)our vibrant Blythswood Music festival

-- An innovative music/light festival should take place within the lanes to activate them and • Expand the successful light festival to express their full potential; lesser-known parts of the city -- Blythswood Square although designed to be a • Emphasize special building / structures / spaces quiet neighbourhood park, could also host small scale music events; -- Sauchiehall Street in its proximity to Charing Cross is already filled by bars with live music and clubs so this quality could be expanded to the surrounding area turning Blythswood into a neighbourhood-scale music venue; -- Restoring a music venue at the O2 ABC, alongside an array of local venues creates a network of places for music to be enjoyed; all contributing to Glasgow’s status as a UNESCO Music City.

Location: Blythswood District.

176 177 TRANSFORMING (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD TRANSFORMING (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD TRANSFORMING (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)our Sustainable Blythswood (Y)our M8 Area Masterplan

Blythswood regeneration should pilot new ways to As outlined in the (Y)our Urbanised M8 chapter integrate sustainable urban solutions (Low carbon, • Glasgow has developed progressive strategies the motorway warrants significant attention to • Scope to capitalise on potential developer climate change adaptive etc.) in central Glasgow for future-proofing the city (eg. Surface Water address the severance it causes and to reconnect interest on development potential along M8 that can be applied across all DRFs. Management, Resilient Cities, Climate Ready neighbourhoods to the east and west. corridor, and opportunities arising from this and Clyde etc.). These need to be properly other DRFs. Blythswood is one of the highest priority integrated into detailed masterplans for priority It is vital that this work is coordinated along regeneration sites in central Glasgow and should areas across the city centre. the length of the city centre M8, from at least • Guiding development along M8 vital to achieve pilot the technical implications of this approach. Townhead to Tradeston. quality, mix of uses and density benefitting • Address challenges of surface water surrounding neighbourhoods and enhancing Upgrade of streetscape / public realm (eg EIIPR management integration and greening the city In the Blythswood DRF that requires direct image of city centre. ‘Avenues’ and more) should be infused with (anticipating City Deal EIIPR Avenues) coordination with the recommendations of the sustainable urban drainage and passive and active neighbouring Sauchiehall / Garnethill DRF and the • Large scale infrastructure projects require technologies to ensure the city centre is capable Broomielaw DRF. long-term strategic approach, coordination and of supporting non-polluting active travel, dramatic vision to make the (business) case, secure changes in climate (eg. flash flooding / increased Moreover there are some setpiece opportunities funding and deliver on great potential. rainfall, urban heat island effects etc.) in the Blythswood DRF to bring together specific Masterplans for locations along the M8 including; • St Vincent Terrace urban spaces project New and refurbished buildings should pioneer appropriate building technologies to support low • Charing Cross Station improvements, • Redefining the setting of St Patrick’s Church carbon city approach, and investigate district • India Street / Embank Crescent redevelopment and School heating / power systems were applicable. • The Mitchell Library and M8 Garden Cap • Reconfiguring the ‘big hotels’ district around the Marriott and Hilton hotels

Enhanced setting for The Mitchell

St. Vincent Terrace Charing Cross Station urban square connections

St Patrick’s Church and School The Marriott and Hilton Hotels

180 181 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD TRANSFORMING (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD TRANSFORMING (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)our smart Blythswood

(Y)our Smart Community AccessMap supports those with limited mobility. As part of the Smart Cities Scotland programme installed an underground vacuum system for their The tool provides trip planning support on Perth, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling waste handling for the historical part of the city Under the (Y)our vibrant Blythswood objective pedestrian ways by gathering and maintaining will work collaboratively in order to deliver where icy winters and narrow streets made waste turning Blythswood into a more vibrant mixed open data about curb ramps, sidewalks, improved waste management services, including collection challenging. It has since been integrated neighbourhood is a key initiative including such construction information and other data that maps deployment of smart bin technology and innovative into new districts within the city. The 3.2 km long activities as repopulating the district, repurposing the specific challenges and nuances of navigating smart technology in the waste management pipe network ends in a terminal station located on vacant properties and deploying smart solutions to city walkways. Beyond giving information on how process to enhance waste and recycling the outskirts of the city in a new neighborhood create more liveable and inclusive spaces thereby to find a location, AccessMap highlights where collections through improved monitoring and called La Lastra, which has been designed empowering citizens and creating a new smart there are sidewalks, the elevation of these sharing of data and information. Sensors in bins specifically to integrate with the surrounding community. pathways, and whether conditions are favorable will alert waste management services to empty the buildings. A similar system was installed in Key to improving the quality of life for all for wheelchair access. (http://smartcities4all.org/ bin only when full, improving efficiency. (https:// Wembley City servicing 7,400 apartments with 252 communities is the ability to access cultural, att-pdf.php) www.scottishcities.org.uk/media/press-releases/ inlets, 4 waste streams and 2,500 metres of pipe. alliance-launches-smart-cities-projects) The system is estimated to handle 160 tons of economic and social resources. These can take Tel Aviv, Israel, is working on making online multiple forms such as visiting parks, attending waste each week. ( http://www.envacgroup.com/ services more accessible. Digitel is a resident’s In 2016, Edinburgh installed smart sensors into MediaBinaryLoader.axd?MediaArchive_ concerts and cultural events, receiving alerts on card which will give people access to a number of 300 bins. The sensors in the bins currently provide special discounts from local businesses and FileID=5ac3cd8f-292d-453f-ab33- online services, from managing their bills to getting alerts of when a bin needs emptying urgently, and a8eb138bfcc8&FileName=Company-and- seasonal events. Enabling the opportunity to better notifications about what’s taking place in the city. thus help in planning the collection routes. It can engage with the life of a city by receiving Products-13. (https://www.forbes.com/sites/ also help the council spot fly tipping when there is pdf&MediaArchive_ForceDownload=true.) hyper-local information on mobile devices or federicoguerrini/2016/09/19/engaging-citizens-or- sudden spike in the results. The technology also accessible smart screens placed throughout the just-managing-them-smart-city-lessons-from- includes a heat sensor that provides an alert if a district. Navigational information, and native china/#7ebc8e84dab0) fire starts inside a bin. (http://www.ukauthority.com/ content could be made interactive and location- UKA-Local-Digital/entry/6516/smart-sensors- specific. New mobile data tools would allow (Y)our Smart Streets and Spaces - smart waste bump-up-edinburghs-bin-collections) brands and businesses to deliver and measure the management impact of targeted messages to the audiences Glasgow currently has 10,000 on-street bins and they want to reach driving engagement and direct Creating a variety of lively and human-scaled some, such as those in Sauchiehall Street, are footfall in shops and restaurants. public spaces has been identified as the number emptied up to three times a day. (http://www. one key objective for (Y)our Blythswood and is a ukauthority.com/smart-places/entry/6939/glasgow- This could allow public sector to explore new prime project to implement smart city solutions. trials-smart-bins-in-city-centre) revenue models and unlock further value from We believe that smart waste management public assets. (https://www.intersection.com/) The solutions further the development of clean, Glasgow also recently launched a 12-month trial of LinkNYC project has re-envisioned New York City’s sustainable and more appealing urban the use of ‘smart bins’, equipped with sensors to existing telecommunications network and environments. monitor the level of rubbish they contain. Up to 400 public-private franchise structure. In December sensors will be placed in street bins around the 2014, CityBridge signed an agreement to install up Smart waste management solutions are dominated city centre. They will detect when the bins are to 7,500 Links. Among their key features, individual by Machine to Machine or M2M applications. In an three quarters full and send alerts to the Links offer public Wi-Fi; a tablet for free domestic M2M application a simple sensor will be Environmental Task Force control centre, which will calling; digital access to city services and maps; a monitoring some feature of an asset, like the fill instruct staff to ensure they are emptied. 911 emergency button; a USB charging port; and level of a waste recycling bin, time of last HD digital displays for public service collection, whether the receptacle has overturned, There is another project underway to construct a announcements, community messaging and etc. Data analysis is then applied to improve new state-of-the-art Glasgow Recycling and advertising. The City shares the advertising business processes and spot trends, for example Renewable Energy Centre. This new recycling and revenue generated with the Links operators, to optimise a waste collection route. This would sustainable waste management facility is designed receiving $20 million in the first year of the project. generate savings on various different levels: to produce enough energy to power the equivalent of 22,000 households and heat the equivalent of The public also benefitted from use of the free WiFi • in vehicle travel and personnel and CityBridge reported that the programme 8,000 homes, delivering a saving to Glasgow of generated 350 direct full time jobs and $128.9m in • reduce polluting emissions 90,000 tonnes of CO² every year, and saving the economic output for the city since opening. city approximately £254m during the 25 year (https://www.intersection.com/assets/pdfs/ • improved outcomes in street cleanliness as contract. (https://viridor.co.uk/our-developments/ Unlocking_Value_for_the_Public_Sector.pdf) locations that needed collection or were at risk glasgow-rrec/) of creating further street litter could be Chicago, is looking for similar solutions and are prioritised. Smart waste management solutions often go planning to install five interactive Civiq Waypoint beyond IoT sensors on bins. In Songdo, Korea, touchscreen kiosks throughout the city’s busy there are no garbage trucks or wheelie bins. commercial avenues. These kiosks provide free Instead, a vast network of underground tunnels It is estimated that the sensors can help cut suck rubbish directly from kitchens to waste Wi-Fi and announce information about city collection costs by 40 to 50%. (http:// attractions, activities and points of interest. http:// processing centres where it’s automatically sorted, smartcitiescouncil.com/article/how-smart-waste- deodorised and treated. The City of León also smartcities4all.org/att-pdf.php. Also, in Seattle, management-solution-eliminates-wasted-effort)

182 183 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD TRANSFORMING (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD TRANSFORMING (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)our Blythswood brand (Y)our Blythswood performance monitor

Blythswood DRF area (and its constituent parts) Each District and the city centre as a whole, needs should be vigorously promoted via a wider • An effective and important tool to promote to have a Performance Monitor to provide a • Having the complete picture about the re-branding of Glasgow City Centre as a place to Blythswood in all media. snapshot of the city centre’s performance as a performance/improvement of Central is crucial invest, live and do business. Blythswood’s brand place; its physical attributes, socio-economic for making informed decisions, assessing • A great way to tie together seemingly unrelated effectiveness of actions and making the case for should dovetail with the Sauchiehall BID and projects into one big overarching upgrade. characteristics and how it compares to equivalent, neighbouring IFSD branding to project a competitor cities. future action. multi-faceted, historic city centre quarter – • District and City Centre Monitors should comprising diverse neighbourhoods including Learning from the smart city agenda and the Future City Glasgow demonstrator projects and capitalise on the expertise and lessons learned Charing Cross, Anderston Cross, west of M8 as from Future City Demonstrator project. well as Blythswood Hill itself. recommendations within the Operational Services SWOT analysis it is vital to develop a series of key Many consultees noted that despite its obvious performance indicators to monitor the assets is seems to lack identity and is between implementation and impact of delivering other better known destinations (West End, regeneration in Glasgow city centre. Broomielaw, Merchant City) and that Blythswood Hill could be the focus of the brand identity. This Monitor should be (at least in part) publicly accessible and capture an array of big data available from a range of credible sources. This Monitor would also act as a key project management tool for the City Council to assess progress against the DRF Action Plan programme.

184 185 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD TRANSFORMING (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD TRANSFORMING (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)our Blythswood conservation area (Y)our Heritage Property Fund

Blythswood has a distinctive heritage; the planned Develop and manage a dedicated heritage urban grid ‘new town’ expansion of Glasgow’s city • Review and redefine the existing Blythswood property funding package for grant support toward • Glaswegians and visitors appreciate the city’s centre. A focussed redefinition of Blythswood Conservation area guidance to ensure the best bringing heritage buildings back into use. This built heritage is part of what makes the city conservation area within Central Conservation Area approach is taken fowards should include proactive planning/conservation/ distinctive and special. is proposed, to reinforce and secure this identity. building regs advice and match funding . • Many buildings require significant investment to This Conservation Area appraisal should identify Develop and manage a historic property funding bring in to use, or remedy after long term new approaches to heritage buildings in the package for grant support, including providing neglect 2020s. funding advice. Explore scope for pilot in Blythswood to demonstrate best practice. Demonstration projects for long term vacant buildings should be identified with owners. Promotion of increased awareness and interpretation of social and built heritage should underpin this initiative.

186 187 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD TRANSFORMING (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD TRANSFORMING (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)our night-time Blythswood (Y)our clean and well maintained Blythswood

• In parallel with comunity safety / NightZones To fulfil the expectations of Glaswegians and initiatives pilot (Y)our City Blythswood • Blythswood needs to be redefined as a visitors alike a clean, well maintained city is vital. • Clean and well-functioning public spaces are Night-time Economy initiative. destination for positive evening economy. This Initiatives to help recycle waste, encourage crucial. Street cleanliness and maintenance is a would assist in retaining / attracting business as neighbourhood / community stewardship, high priority issue. • Enable trials / initiatives to promote a positive well as future residents / investment to the area. campaigns to tackle littering / encourage culture nightlife in Blythswood. • Getting the basics right is vital to refresh • There is support / interest in delivering events / change and using smart technology to ensure high Glaswegian’s and visitor’s perceptions of • Establish single point of contact at GCC activities to trial what could work to enhance the standards of street cleanliness should be Glasgow city centre and demonstrate that the enabling temporary use of vacant space (sites night-time economy and visitor experience in encouraged and developed. city cares about itself. / buildings) - street food / festivals / pop-up Blythswood. bars etc. Develop programme of events. • Learn from examples from other cities re events programming and ‘night mayor’ management.

188 189 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD TRANSFORMING (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD TRANSFORMING (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)our Dedicated Blythswood Team (Y)our new Blythswood community council

Dedicated staff resource to drive Blythswood DRF Reform a Community Council for Blythswood. regeneration - working with City Centre team and • An effective way to translate ambition of DRF Scope to focus on tenants / residents of • Capitalise on community engagement and with specific focus on Blythswood DRF area. A Action Plan in to delivery Blythswood Court. interest arising from the Blythswood DRF consultation process Special Purpose Vehicle required / appropriate to • Provide focus and demonstrate commitment / drive Blythswood Regeneration. Guidance should be sought about the correct leadership to community / businesses / governance / format for any new community-led • Provide a community-led vehicle to focus / Additional staff / expertise is required to support investors bodies to help support initiatives in Blythswood champion key DRF projects City Centre Strategy team and project partners to district. • Reinforce and empower a local community coordinate delivery of the ambitions of DRFs. currently without a ‘voice’ / focus. Regeneration in Blythswood will require a higher Opinion on this idea was canvassed during level of public sector intervention to deliver community engagement process and gained sustained change. support. Offer of advice from GCC and other city centre Community Councils was also forthcoming. A Blythswood Taskforce Team could comprise Convene a new Community Council. Network with • Dedicated Team Manager FTE other established city centre Community Councils. Review DRF and agree areas of focus / projects to • Design/Urban Advisor (0.4) champion. Monitor impacts and sustainability of • Traffic Advisor (0.2) new Community Council. Support and provide capacity building as necessary. • Maintenance Advisor (0.1) • Planning Advisor (0.2) • Finance/ Business Case Advisor (0.4) • Property / Legal Advisor (0.4) • Dedicated Marketing/ Development Manager • Stakeholder / Community liaison • Trial 18 month period Everybody with a potential stake in the city centre should feel they can obtain current and credible information easily, and that they can also contribute to helping deliver the Blythswood Regeneration Frameworks as an active citizen, collaborator or project partner. A Blythswood Taskforce should be the first point of contact for all these enquiries. The cornerstone of the (Y)our City Centre communication plan has to be maintaining opportunities for stakeholders to continue to share their ideas, concerns and opinions. This has to be varied and should involve a cycle of public facing presentations / workshops focussed on delivery, regularly updated online platforms (dedicated websites, social media) and named principal points of contact to enable interested parties to enquire about how to progress their projects.

190 191 8 PLANNING POLICY (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD PLANNING POLICY PLANNING POLICY (Y)our Planning Policy

LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK BLYTHSWOOD DISTRICT REGENERATION The following is directly relevant for Blythswood This DRF should be read in conjunction with the FRAMEWORK OBJECTIVES District: The principal purpose of this District Regeneration City Development Plan (2017) and the City Centre • It lies within an Air Quality Management Framework (DRF) is to guide forthcoming physical, Strategy 2014-19 and their respective successor The aims of this DRF are to; Area;(CDP1). social and economic regeneration and documents. It should also be read in conjunction • Outline the vision and ambition for the • Development will help promote the application development in the area of the city centre with the City Centre Strategic Development Blythswood DRF area so that it can make a of the Glasgow Healthy Sustainable designated by the City Centre Strategy 2014-19 as Framework (SDF) which is to be prepared in line significant contribution to the environmental, Neighbourhood Model; (CDP1). the Blythswood district. The City Centre Strategy with guidance set out in the City Development Plan social and economic regeneration of the City • It is partially within the City Centre Strategic states that each DRF will contribute to (2017). Where a site is situated within two DRF Centre which, alongside the River Clyde Economic Investment Location (SEIL) and the Supplementary Planning Guidance. areas then the policy of both DRFs applies. corridor, should be considered national International Financial Services District SEIL planning priority projects. (CDP2). The City Development Plan (2017) confirms that This DRF should also be read in conjunction with • Create a vibrant mixed-use urban district with • There is a preference to utilise brownfield sites Local Development Frameworks (LDF) will be any subsequent, adopted Masterplans, site good links to an attractive and active rather than greenfield sites; (CDP2). produced for each of the 9 districts identified in the specific planning development briefs and design waterfront on the River Clyde, within a • To prioritise the remediation and reuse of City Centre Strategy, and that a Strategic guides that this DRF recommends be convivial, compact and walkable city centre vacant and derelict land; (CDP2). Development Framework (SDF) will be prepared implemented. providing, and benefitting from, excellent • It is within the City Centre Strategic covering the entire city centre and all 9 districts. access to city and community amenities and Development Frameworks area (SDF); the wider city region. (CDP2). This chapter provides the planning policy context • Provide a planning and delivery framework to • Includes part of the City Centre Principal Retail for the Blythswood DRF area. The guidance below support and enable the delivery of and Commercial Area (around Sauchiehall will operate as a material consideration in the regeneration of the Blythswood district, and Street) and the majority of the City Centre assessment of development applications in that sites and buildings within the DRF area, to very Principal Office Area (CDP 4, SG3 / SG4) area. It will subsequently form part of the adopted high quality of architecture, planning and • Specific locations are identified as Economic supplementary planning guidance as set out in the design to meet these ambitions. Development Areas, with some urban blocks Glasgow City Development Plan (adopted 29 • Support and encapsulate the Placemaking specified as Opportunity Sites. (CDP3). March 2017), other supplementary planning Principles outlined in the City Development • It has the ‘greatest potential’ for district heating guidance and the City Centre Strategy 2014-2019. Plan. zones and is within an ‘active’ Surface Water Management Plan (CDP5). • Most of the of the District lies within the Central GLASGOW CITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Conservation Area or Park Conservation Area (SG9). Glasgow City Development Plan (CDP) establishes • It includes a site designated for housing the spatial strategy for the city with the key aims of (CDP10). creating 1) a healthy, high quality place and 2) a • The full DRF area is designated as ‘High compact city form that supports sustainable Accessibility’ in the Public Transport development. Accessibility Zones map (CDP11).

This is underlined by four strategic outcomes: Glasgow CDP policies, in relation to Blythswood, • A Vibrant Place with a Growing Economy are considered below in more detail. For the • A Thriving and Sustainable Place to Live and Blythswood DRF area, development proposals will Work be assessed against the following criteria; • A Connected Place to move around and do business in • A Green Place which is Resilient, Accessible and Attractive

This strategic approach is supported by 12 policies and linked to supplementary guidance (SG) which provides further detailed guidance and assessment criteria on the policy topics. Refer to SG1 Parts 1 and 2 for further information regarding the City Centre and River Corridor character areas (identified as 2 of 10) and their respective placemaking priorities. At the time of publication of the Blythswood DRF Glasgow City Council has adopted seven SG documents, with the remaining four operating as interim SG guidance. More details can be found on the Supplementary Guidance webpage. 194 195 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD PLANNING POLICY PLANNING POLICY (Y)our Planning Policy

CDP 1: PLACEMAKING PRINCIPLE • Servicing or vehicle access to new CDP 2: SUSTAINABLE SPATIAL STRATEGY CDP 3: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT developments will not be permitted from (or CDP 1 is one of two over-arching policies within within 20m of the frontage of) City Centre CDP 2 is designed to “influence the location and This policy promotes “the creation of economic Glasgow CDP against which all development Primary Streets (levels 1, 2 and 3 – ref SG4), form of development to create a ‘compact city opportunity for the City’s residents and businesses proposals will be assessed. The aim of this policy streets designated as EIIPR Avenues or Sites form’ which supports sustainable development.” and encourages sustained economic growth”. The is to “improve the quality of development taking of Special Landscape Importance (ref SG7). Within this policy, the City Centre and River Clyde location is partially covered by the City Centre place in Glasgow by promoting a design-led • Bin storage to be internalised with access in are identified as two of six priority areas that SEILs as identified in Clydeplan. This City Centre approach.” line with service access requirements noted require to be covered by a Strategic Development designation highlights a broad range of core above. Framework (SDF). These SDFs will become sectors. In addition Clydeplan highlights the For the Blythswood DRF area, development • To demonstrate compliance with SG1 designs Supplementary Guidance when they are adopted. aspirations of the City Centre Strategy to proposals will be assessed against the following should be illustrated with perspective views at encourage mixed use including residential, leisure criteria; street level to indicate best practice street For the Blythswood DRF area, development and supporting uses throughout the city centre. • Design excellence in architecture, landscape design and provision of active frontages, proposals will be assessed against the following and planning must be demonstrated in all creating a human scale and considering street criteria; For the Blythswood DRF area, development development in terms of relationship to urban design as 3 dimensional public space. • The regeneration of the City Centre is proposals will be assessed against the following context, overall project design and in detailed • In addition to complying with internal considered to be a project of national criteria; delivery, in line with Placemaking principles set daylighting requirements per SG1 designs significance and should be recognised with • Mixed use developments are required out in SG1 and this DRF. should demonstrate street design that national project status in the National Planning throughout the Blythswood DRF area. Vertical • New development should express architectural provides positive external microclimates; Framework. mixed uses are encouraged and preferred, diversity with no single architectural form or avoiding excessive overshadowing, wind • Masterplans should be prepared in line with where compatible and effective long term design language dominating a single urban tunnelling, downdraughts and daylighting the design principles of this DRF for the M8 management arrangements are demonstrated. block. conditions at street level and at external corridor, Charing Cross Station area (including • This applies particularly to residential and • Development in the Blythswood DRF area terraces / roof garden spaces. Elmbank Crescent, India Street and the former Hotel/Leisure use (Class 7). should achieve high urban density, whilst • Demonstrate design that promotes the High School). These should provide a further • To promote vibrancy and activity, urban blocks complying with open space policy guidelines. benefits of green (landscape) and blue (water) level of building and landscape design within the existing street pattern having a • Within the Blythswood DRF area new infrastructure as key features of its riverfront guidance in addition to that in the City single land use are likely to be discouraged. development shall demonstrate that it will location. Development Plan, the City Centre Strategic • In order to encourage and develop an evening contribute to achieving densities at least of • Demonstrate designs that comply with CDP in Development Framework (when published) economy within the district, and to provide an that achieved within completed urban blocks improving air quality and reducing the impact and this DRF. increased amenity for higher resident and within the DRF area. of noise. • A Glasgow Healthy Sustainable employment densities, developments • It is anticipated that development of greater Neighbourhood Model assessment of providing Class 1 (Retail), Class 3 (Food + density and height can be accommodated Masterplans should be undertaken to Drink), Class 7 (Hotels), Class 10 (non- along the M8 motorway corridor, along Argyle demonstrate healthy outcomes have been residential institutions) and Class 11 Street and within 200m of subway / mainline considered. (Assembly and leisure) are encouraged, rail stations. • Use of the ‘Place Standard’ toolkit is especially those which form active street • Tall buildings are actively encouraged encouraged to support Design and Access frontages (see ‘CDP 4 : Network of Centres’ specifically along the M8 corridor. Refer to the statements in demonstrating positive impacts below). ‘Tall Buildings Policy’ under SG1 Part 2, in placemaking. section 5 • The density of all development throughout the DRF area shall be informed by scenario testing during pre-application discussions to ensure appropriate building proportions and scale. • New development must demonstrate a design which promotes the benefits of walking and cycling. New development must demonstrate permeability in urban blocks to encourage and facilitate walking and cycling. • Developments that incorporate Lanes shall present active frontages on the Lanes. Lanes will not be permitted to be occupied by commercial waste or parking. • Buildings shall be designed to be flexible and capable of being adapted for different uses in the future. Ground floors heights (floor to ceiling) are to be high (minimum 5m); allowing them to accommodate different functions (and mezzanine floors). 196 197 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD PLANNING POLICY PLANNING POLICY (Y)our Planning Policy

CDP 4: NETWORK OF CENTRES CDP 5: RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CDP 6: GREEN BELT AND GREEN NETWORK CDP 7: NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

The aim of this policy is to “ensure that all of This policy outlines the approach to energy The policy supports the development and This policy aims to protect the natural environment Glasgow’s residents and visitors have good planning with the aims that Glasgow; enhancement of Glasgow’s Green Network in order to; access to a network of centres which are vibrant, through; • Ensure that Glasgow’s natural environments, multi-functional and sustainable destinations • Supports energy generation from renewable • Protecting and extending the Green Network including its ecosystems and protected providing a range of goods and services”. The and low carbon sources; and linking habitat networks; species, are safeguarded and, wherever introduction of local centres at key locations can • Promotes energy efficient design and use of • Providing for the delivery of multifunctional possible, enhanced through new play a major role in promoting regeneration and low and zero carbon generating technologies open space to support new development; development; improving vitality and viability. Building upon SG4, in new development; • Protecting the Green Belt; and • Help enhance biodiversity and protect the the actions listed below will be promoted through • Helps safeguard communities from the • Supporting development proposals that health and function of ecosytems; the development plan process; potentially adverse impacts of energy safeguard and enhance the Green Network • Help the natural environment adapt to climate • In the long term, the principles of Local Town generation or oil/gas extraction; and Green Belt. change Centres at Anderston Train Station, traditionally • Makes efficient use of energy generation and/ • Protect important landscape and geological known as Anderston Cross will be established, or industrial processes by supporting For the Blythswood DRF area, development features in the City. to align with this DRF. combined heat and power systems and proposals will be assessed against the following • In order to support revitalising this location district heating networks; criteria; In addition to these aims the Council is engaged in proposals to restore Anderston Cross in line • Manages its waste to minimise landfill and • New development should demonstrate the Horizon 2020 Nature Based Solutions project. with the principles of a Local Town Centre are help meet national targets and benefits from provision of creative open space / green This on-going project will inform future policy. sought and encouraged. Proposals secure supplies of low carbon energy and space that provides many different Proposed new development demonstrating introducing Class 1 (Retail), Class 3 (Food + heat. opportunities for meeting and socialising, alignment with the Horizon 2020 agenda is actively Drink) and Class 4 (Business) uses will integrating elements of play and public art and encouraged. generally be supported around Anderston For the Blythswood DRF area development designed to enhance biodiversity. This Train Station (on Argyle Street / North Street). proposals will be assessed against the following provision should contribute to ‘open space / For the Blythswood DRF area, development • Enhance connections to the network of Local criteria; green space’ requirements outlined within proposals will be assessed against the following Town Centres with provision of new pedestrian • Demonstrate design adaptability CDP 12: Delivering Development”. criteria; / cycle infrastructure (on and off street). • New developments must demonstrate their • All new development should integrate green • Biodiversity must be maximised in new ability to integrate / enable District Heating. roofs (to be not less than 50% of total roof developments by integrating many different • A ‘fabric first’ approach to achieving a zero area of each development) biotypes in all open spaces and new buildings carbon district is encouraged. Where • Provision of open space should be in which will increase the environment’s applicable the incorporation and careful accordance with Open Space Strategy biodiversity. Table 3 of SG07 provides integration of affordable low and zero carbon (updated version to be published). examples. technologies to meet portion of the energy demands of development is encouraged.

198 199 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD PLANNING POLICY PLANNING POLICY (Y)our Planning Policy

CDP 8: WATER ENVIRONMENT CDP 10: MEETING HOUSING NEED CDP 11: SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT

This policy aims to: This policy aims to ‘ensure that the City’s growing Supporting the development and delivery of • Aid adaptation to climate change; and diverse population has access to a choice of sustainable transport across Glasgow to ensure • Protect and improve the water environment; housing of appropriate quality and affordability “that Glasgow is a connected City, characterised • Support the development of integrated green across all tenures.’ by sustainable active travel”. It is anticipated that infrastructure throughout the City; the findings of the Glasgow Connectivity • Meet the requirements of the Flood Risk For the Blythswood DRF area, development Commission will promote proposals and policies Management (Scotland) Act 2009 and Scottish proposals will be assessed against the following that may require future revision of this guidance. Planning Policy 2014; criteria; • Help deliver the Metropolitan Glasgow • The provision of city centre residential For the Blythswood DRF area, development Strategic Drainage Partnership (MGSDP) development shall be informed by the City proposals will be assessed against the following Scheme, a National Development in NPF3; Centre Residential Strategy, the City Centre criteria; and SDF and any subsequent guidance. • Car-free housing encouraged / supported • Contribute to the reduction of overall flood risk • Housing should be integrated throughout the throughout DRF area. Enhancements to and make satisfactory provision for SUDS. DRF area, to create a mixed use district. integrated SUDs, open space standards etc. • City centre residential development is actively to be demonstrated in design proposals. For the Blythswood DRF area, development encouraged, as compatible and • Any traffic efficiencies achieved by road proposals will be assessed against the following complementary to existing and proposed land network adjustments or new technology eg. criteria; uses within the DRF area. Autonomous vehicle technology (‘driverless • New developments shall incorporate creative • To support a vibrant urban district residential cars’) should be passed on to the pedestrian storm-water management systems to reinforce development shall form a significant part of the (wider footways), cyclist (extended network) regeneration aspirations of an ecological land use mix to create a continuity of city and urban design (reduced parking sustainable district. centre population throughout Blythswood DRF requirements). • New development should reinforce and area. enhance blue and green networks by • A housing target is to be verified by the City incorporating water and landscape features, Centre Living Strategy, the City Centre SDF particularly in public spaces. and any subsequent guidance. Development CDP 12: DELIVERING DEVELOPMENT proposals shall demonstrate how they CDP 9: HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT contribute to meeting city centre residential This policy ‘aims to ensure that development requirements. contributes to a sustainable, economically This policy has been designed to “ensure the • Car-free residential developments that support successful City, through the provision of appropriate protection, enhancement and and contribute to successful placemaking are reasonable infrastructure and facilities that are management of Glasgow’s heritage assets by supported. necessary to mitigate the impact of change on providing clear guidance to applicants”. • Tenure mix including the provision of PRS Glasgow’s resources, and that are appropriate to (BTR) housing shall be informed by the City both the nature of the development and its For the Blythswood DRF area, development Centre Residential Strategy and any location’. proposals will be assessed against the following subsequent guidance. criteria; • Guidance on student accommodation will be For more detailed guidance refer to IPG12 and • Demonstrate designs which respect Central informed by the appropriate policy framework. then SPG12. Conservation Area Appraisal and respond to • All new residential development should the distinctive heritage of Blythswood Hill, incorporate designs that enable futureproofing Anderston and Charing Cross. and adaptability in order to meets people’s • Proposals to appropriately reuse buildings needs throughout their lives and to ‘age in designated as ‘buildings at risk’ will be place’ supported.

200 201 9 ACTION PLAN (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD ACTION PLAN ACTION PLAN (Y)our Updated Mobility Action Plan

(Y)our Blythswood Impact / Reach / Action Plan Immediate Short Term : Y1 Medium Term : Y2-Y4 Long Term : Y5+ Key Stakeholders Term Justification / Observations (Y)our Updated Mobility

Bigger context: Shift to more sustainable mobility

Glasgow city centre Review findings from Conclude refresh of Continue to implement Continue to implement Glasgow City Council - DRS High Impact / City Many consultees have highlighted requires an innovative Glasgow Connectivity City Centre Transport actions from refreshed actions from refreshed and Neighbourhoods and Project / Short to the detrimental impact too much and progressive Transport Commission. Review Strategy - involving Transport Strategy. Transport Strategy. Sustainability (NS); inputs from Long Term traffic (principally private cars) Strategy to deliver a need for undertaking a consultation, modelling Monitor impacts and Monitor impacts and local landowners / building has on the city centre (pollution, significant modal shift from refresh of the City Centre scenarios for revised traffic adjust implementation adjust implementation occupiers / developers / congestion, cluttered streets, car reliance to active travel Transport Strategy. management, bus routing, accordingly. accordingly. communities. Key Stakeholders oversized roads). and public transport Secure buy-in / funding to active travel and public incl public transport commence refresh. transport enhancements. organisations (Network Rail, Observation and analysis of Commence Transport Scotland, SPT, Abellio the land take of road space v implementation of priority Scotrail, First Group) and (Y) pedestrian space, coupled with actions. our Pedestrian and Accessibility comparison with best practice Champion (see below) and in high performing cities of an cycling groups. equivalent size confirms the need for a significant change in policy Glasgow Connectivity and travel patterns / behaviour Commission

(Ultra) Low Emissions Zone

Tackle poor air quality Investigate scope for LEZ / Commence study Conclude report, make Assess LEZ impacts. Glasgow City Council, High Impact / City Many consultees have noted poor in central Glasgow with Clean Air zone in Glasgow. / research. Assess recommendations and Review scope to Transport Scotland and Scottish Project / Medium air quality in central Glasgow. implementation of an Research precedent. the policy and legal adopt LEZ. Monitor progress to an Ultra Government. to Long Term During the preparation of this (Ultra) LEZ. Make the case for a trial / implication. Assess impacts / enforcement. LEZ. Implement DRF LEZ issues have become a research study. technical implications recommendations stated political policy objective - e.g. impact and cost/ and assess impact aligning with an increasing national benefit analysis of electric on air quality. Adjust awareness of this importance of buses within City Centre. strategy to achieve the issue for public health and long target outcomes. term resilience.

204 205 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD ACTION PLAN ACTION PLAN (Y)our Updated Mobility Action Plan

(Y)our Blythswood Impact / Reach / Action Plan Immediate Short Term : Y1 Medium Term : Y2-Y4 Long Term : Y5+ Key Stakeholders Term Justification / Observations Traffic-Calmed Blythswood

Optimise the benefit of The refresh of the Conduct full review of one Approve revised Transport Implement Glasgow City Council (lead) - High Impact / City Many consultees have requested Glasgow’s urban grid Transport Strategy for way / two way / car-free Strategy (with new City recommendations of NS and DRS. Centre Project that the city centre become more network with a full review the city centre should / shared space options Centre / Blythswood the revised Transport / Short to Long walkable / pedestrian / bicycle of how best to enable consider a full review / within Glasgow street grid Circulation / Traffic Strategy. Design, Term friendly and reduce the potential for vehicular access in and modelling of implications - towards a Smart Tartan Management). implement and and extent of congestion. Several through the city centre. of new arrangement for Grid of streets. Scope for monitor impacts. cautioned against limiting car Part of wider refreshed City traffic management to repurposing of streets accessibility. Centre Transport Strategy. be considered - see City for car only or car free Centre Transport Strategy traffic management. Trial As demonstrated by other high See Smart ‘Tartan’ Grid (below) options and verify through performing cities this is liable above. modelling (and vice versa). to require bold, ambitious and First area to focus upon integrated concepts to optimise the is recommended to be benefit of Glasgow’s urban grid. around Blythswood Square instigating a ‘smart grid’ with local car access only between St. Vincent Street and Bath Street.

Specialisation in Streets (Tartan) Ensure comprehensive As part of any refresh of Conduct and conclude Implement ‘quick wins’ Conclude Glasgow City Council - NS and High Impact / City Many consultees confirmed and continuous network the City Centre Transport accessibility audit. Report - focus on high impact enhancements DRS in partnership with Access Centre Project Glasgow’s compact city centre of high quality, safe and Strategy compile an back to GCC and Access missing links / conflict (including EIIPR ‘ Panel, cycle groups and (Y)our / Short to Long street grid is a significant asset. attractive pedestrian and initial mapping of routes Panel / cycling groups. points. Progress to follow Avenues’) to provide Pedestrian and Accessibility Term The analysis and proposal to create cycle routes alongside network based on desk Agree prioritised, costed up actions / priorities. a comprehensive Champion (see below) clearer hierarchy / differentiation reliable bus corridors and based analysis. Develop Action Plan. Seek and Monitor impacts and upgrade of the between pedestrian, cycle or bus adequate car / service brief and case for full city secure funding and adjust investment priorities pedestrian and cycle priority routes was welcomed by access to and through centre accessibility audit implement ‘quick wins’. in consultation with networks. consultees. Glasgow city centre. (focussed on pedestrian pedestrians / cyclists. and cyclist routes). Coordinate delivery in Refer to Variation in street tandem with revised character (Smart Tartan Refer to West George Transport Strategy and Grid) -above. Street project re Smarter Bus Network pedestrian priority review. between George Square and Charing Cross.

206 207 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD ACTION PLAN ACTION PLAN (Y)our Updated Mobility Action Plan

(Y)our Blythswood Impact / Reach / Action Plan Immediate Short Term : Y1 Medium Term : Y2-Y4 Long Term : Y5+ Key Stakeholders Term Justification / Observations Smarter Parking in Blythswood Investigate scope for Within scope of any Verify scope to optimise Approve revised Transport Implement Glasgow City Council (lead) - High Impact / Analysis suggests that land take further consolidation refresh to the Transport multi-storey parking Strategy (with new City recommendations of NS and DRS. City Parking and Centre Project / for parking remains too high in / concentration of car Strategy for the city centre in edge of city centre Centre / Blythswood the revised Transport private car park operators. Short to Longer central Glasgow. Whilst some in parking on the edge of a full review / modelling of locations. Identify parking strategy). Strategy. Design, Term central Glasgow retail / business the city centre to limit car parking arrangements candidate sites. Assess implement and / resident community are anxious penetration of cars into the to be conducted - see City long term viability of monitor impacts. about any reduction in parking (in city centre and to induce Centre Transport Strategy existing parking provision, the absence of reliable, high quality footfall. (below) especially the elimination public transport alternatives) many of all off road surface consultees perceive there to be parking within central too much space / access for cars Glasgow, and reduction of in the city centre. Many consultees on-street provision. Review supported consolidating parking / trial parking price regimes in off street multi-storey car parks / incentives. (MSCP)

Smarter Cleaner Bus Network Refine the bus route As part of a refreshed Conduct a full review of Trial, monitor and Continue to implement Glasgow City Council - NS High Impact / Many consultees (general public network, service provision Transport Strategy for the bus routing and stances permanently implement and monitor impact and DRS; in partnership with Regional Project / and key stakeholders) highlighted and bus stop locations city centre and in line with - in partnership with SPT recommendations of city of enhancements to SPT, First Group and bus Medium Term bus routing and service provision to integrate with other the Connectivity Commission and bus companies. centre bus review. bus services in central companies. as a significant issue. Many consider an initial review of modes of public transport Highlight areas of under Glasgow. suggest the system requires a bus routing and bus stop and active travel and locations for service gaps or over provision and comprehensive and radical review service key destinations / / duplication. Assess data duplication. Progress legal to improve service reliability, communities. of trip origin / destination / business implications of be easier to comprehend and points. Undertake an initial re-regulation / franchising optimised to align with demand and feasibility into re-regulation of bus services. to reduce congestion / pollution. / franchising of bus services within Glasgow city centre. It is assumed that Sauchiehall / Bath Streets and St Vincent Streets continue to provide principal east-west routes through Blythswood DRF, but warrants review as part of comprehensive route optimisation.

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(Y)our Blythswood Impact / Reach / Action Plan Immediate Short Term : Y1 Medium Term : Y2-Y4 Long Term : Y5+ Key Stakeholders Term Justification / Observations Updated Railway Stations

Enhance passenger Scope out improvements Liaise with EIIPR / Conclude feasibility studies Design, construct Glasgow City Council - DRS High Impact / City Consultees agreed with the experience to increase at Charing Cross Station ‘Avenues’ project and commence design and monitor impacts and NS (lead). Key Partners Project / Medium findings that the rail stations patronage of rail / public to alleviate capacity issues regarding enhancements work for enhancements in long term planning / Stakeholders incl Transport to Long Term serving Blythswood district transport and to attract alongside any upgrades to adjacent to Charing Cross to Charing Cross and and delivery strategy. Scotland, Network Rail, Abellio require significant improvement investment / development Anderston Station. Explore and Anderston Station. Anderston Stations. Scotrail, SPT and public (and more effective interchange in high density clusters clustering development Within masterplan-led Design, procure, construct. transport stakeholders. / signage). Proposals to improve around transport around (and above?) approach advocate Charing Cross Station passenger interchange nodes - e.g. Charing Cross Station. mixed use, higher density experience were well received and Charing Cross / Anderston development at Charing deemed a priority by many. / Queen Street / Central Air-rights development Cross and Anderston Station over Charing Cross may Station. Enhance be thwarted due to ability wayfinding / real time to have landing points for customer information spanning over rail tunnel. between rail / subway and Notwithstanding there are bus interchanges within significant development Blythswood DRF area, sites available on India notably between Charing Street, and potentially Cross Rail Station and key replacing the multi-storey bus corridors in the area. car park behind the Kings Theatre.

Street Safety and Accessibility Optimise street and Develop brief and case for Conduct and conclude Implement findings of audit Conclude Glasgow City Council - NS and Moderate Impact / Key stakeholders highlighted need public realm accessibility full city centre accessibility accessibility audit. Report - see Updated Pedestrian enhancements - see DRS in partnership with Access City Centre Project to improve pedestrian accessibility and safety to improve audit (pedestrian and back to GCC and Access Network (above) Updated Pedestrian Panel and Pedestrian Champion / Short to Medium generally to create an inclusive city Glasgow city centre for cyclist routes) - see Panel / disability groups. Network (above) (see below). Also include Visit Term centre for all. This initiative would all users. Promote the Updated Pedestrian and Agree prioritised, costed Scotland. align with ongoing proposals to city centre as a safe and Cycle Network (above). Action Plan. Seek and ensure Glasgow city centre is accessible destination Assess public realm / road secure funding for ‘quick Autism Friendly by 2023 (See (Y)our Pedestrian and safety audits as well as wins’ - refer Updated Accessibility Champion) ‘design speeds’ of existing Pedestrian and Cycle street / road network. Network (above) Brief to adopt Designing Streets ethos - minimise guardrails and reliance on signage. Align with Autism Friendly Glasgow initiatives and similar.

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(Y)our Blythswood Impact / Reach / Action Plan Immediate Short Term : Y1 Medium Term : Y2-Y4 Long Term : Y5+ Key Stakeholders Term Justification / Observations (Y)our Urbanised M8 Bigger Context: Future City Boulevard Glasgow’s urban motorway GCC to continue to liaise As part of the Transport Develop the work on the Implement physical Transport Scotland in High Impact / Alongside the River Clyde the has defined the character with Transport Scotland Strategy for the city assessment of options to modifications to partnership with Glasgow National Project / M8 features as a highest priority of the west and northern about the future role centre and a City Centre create a prioritised action M8 (see ‘Untangled City Council and Scottish Long Term amongst consultees. The motorway edge of the city centre of the M8 from M80 to Motorway Strategy engage plan and consider the role Motorway Spaghetti’). Government > forming an M8 is widely acknowledged by for nearly 50 years. M77 (junctions 13 to with Transport Scotland and status of the M8, the Transformation Board consultees to be detrimental to Glasgow must find a more 22). Scope out a STAG to consider options/STAG role of the M74/73 as well the city centre environment (incl. positive relationship with appraisal assessing the appraisal requirements for as land take, slip roads, poor quality physical setting, this massive, disruptive future requirements of the the future role of the M8, smart signage and air disrupted connections, pollution). national road infrastructure city centre M8 following particularly in light of the quality. It is also acknowledged by many and future proof the city upgrade of M74, M73 and investment in the M74/73. that it provides excellent car centre road network. A8 to M8 in Lanarkshire. This work should accessibility into central Glasgow. This project is of national recognise the national Most consultees accepted that the importance. infrastructure needs and motorway should adapt to reduce objectives and consider impact / enhance integration with how to assess these. urban setting. Consideration should be given to regarding this as a National Project via the NPF.

Untangled Motorway Spaghetti Minimise the disruptive See M8 Overview (above) See M8 Overview (above) As part of the Transport Based on traffic Transport Scotland in High Impact / Urban analysis illustrates the physical impact of the M8 Strategy for the city centre modelling, trials and partnership with Glasgow Regional Project / disruptive impact of M8 and on/ by modifying / removing and City Centre Motorway wider economic City Council and Scottish Medium to Longer off ramps on the city centre. slip roads and reconnect Strategy consider the value impact analysis Government. Term Consultees have broadly agreed severed historic streets / of slip roads, particularly implement schemes with the analysis that the M8 severs links between junctions 13 to to progressively connections to the West End and 22. In addition explore modify slip road north of the city centre. There opportunities to restore infrastructure north of was interest in ways to realise links under of over the M8. the Clyde to Charing development along the motorway Cross. corridor.

The viability of modifying on/off ramps requires significant traffic modelling and technical reviews. Most consultees recognise the need to test the viability of the proposals. Connected East - West

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(Y)our Blythswood Impact / Reach / Action Plan Immediate Short Term : Y1 Medium Term : Y2-Y4 Long Term : Y5+ Key Stakeholders Term Justification / Observations Repairing the severance Refer to M8 projects listed Refer to proposed City Refer to proposed City Refer to proposed Refer to proposed City Centre High Impact / The recurring issue raised by most created by the M8 and in this section. Centre Motorway Strategy. Centre Motorway Strategy. City Centre Motorway Motorway Strategy. Regional Project consultees when considering restoring east-west Strategy. / Medium to Long the M8 is the damage it caused connections linking the Term / continues to cause in terms city centre to communities of urban severance (cutting the to the west (Anderston, city centre off from surrounding Finnieston, Park, West neighbourhoods). There is broad End) underpins all of the agreement that this current situation projects under the (Y)our is unacceptable and radical Urbanised M8 chapter. solutions are being investigated (including the possibility of a ‘cap’ urban park over the M8 at Charing Cross). However severed links are restored (with minor or major intervention or even closure of the M8) there is consensus that improving east-west connections should be a priority. Clean air, less noise Combination of mitigation Compile initial baseline Consider funding Trial / develop business Implement and Transport Scotland in High Impact / Several public consultees have measures / changed analysis, using available opportunities to enable cases for priority projects. monitor impact partnership with Glasgow Regional Project / flagged up concerns about air priorities to reduce the data, noise and air quality the development of an Monitor / research impacts of adjustments to City Council and Scottish Short to Medium quality in the city centre generally, visual, noise and air indicators at receptor Air Quality and Noise (pollution, traffic capacity, motorway network. Government. Term and noise and air pollution pollution impacts along points within Glasgow Reduction Action Plan for economic etc.) and assess generated by the M8. Several the M8 corridor through city centre and compare the Glasgow City Centre implementation strategy. consultees have observed that Glasgow city centre. against requirements / M8. Develop an array M8 has blighted sites along the targets set in national and of measures - short to motorway corridor. international guidance long term, inexpensive to / legislation. Assess expensive - to improve Review of publicly available data impact of Air Quality air quality and reduce demonstrates Glasgow City Centre Management Area and noise pollution caused suffers from poor air quality. To Noise Management Area by the M8. Measures to address this issue and benefit designations in city centre. include management (eg. health, wellbeing and environmental Smart signage / routing at quality there is a pressing need to peak times / congestion improve air quality. Adjustments to charging to alleviate the M8 should contribute to a wider pollution), physical (noise clean air policy for the city centre. barriers) or restrictions (alternate vehicle registration usage / low or no emission vehicles only)

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(Y)our Blythswood Impact / Reach / Action Plan Immediate Short Term : Y1 Medium Term : Y2-Y4 Long Term : Y5+ Key Stakeholders Term Justification / Observations Above the M8: Extended Bridges A cost effective way to Review and map each Commission and Design, procure, construct Implement and Glasgow City Council in High Impact / Given the enthusiasm to improve greatly improve pedestrian of the existing bridge undertake a technical and monitor the impact of monitor impacts. partnership with Transport Local Project / connections across the M8, with / cycle connections across crossings. Undertake an feasibility study extended bridge crossings Consider rolling out to Scotland and other key Medium Term widespread support, the obvious the M8 could involve inspection to establish establishing the technical at St. Vincent Street and other crossings on the agencies. and possibly most cost effective widening each of the the scope to increase feasibility of improved Bath Street bridge (subject city centre network. way to achieve better east-west existing bridge crossings. bridge crossing widths. crossings / widening to interface with ongoing connections is by widening Implemented well this Develop a business case existing bridges. This Charing Cross Key Projects existing bridges over the motorway could mitigate noise to progress the project. costed study would feasibility study). and enhancing the active travel pollution locally whilst establish the business connections (foot and cycle paths). increasing footway / cycle case to progress, perhaps way widths connecting the with a pilot linked in to the city centre with the West EIIPR Avenues project (eg End communities. St Vincent Street bridge over the M8).

Above the M8: Alternative Options In parallel with local, Considering these See Above the M8: Maintain a watching Maintain a watching Glasgow City Council in High Impact / The next step - maximum option smaller scale intervention interventions should be Extended Bridges above brief on the likelihood of brief on the likelihood partnership with Transport Regional Project / of covering / capping the M8 bolder, more radical explored in tandem with delivering alternative ‘air of delivering Scotland and other key Long Term (with a park or public space) - is possibilities should be and as part of the Above rights’ development over alternative ‘air rights’ agencies. to examine whether building / considered (including the M8; Extended Bridges the M8. development over the developing new urban blocks over ‘air-rights’ development) project outlined above. M8. the M8 would be viable (technically to repair the urban setting The remit could / should and financially). Whilst air-rights of the western edge of be extended to include an development could help to finance Glasgow’s city centre analysis of the technical such an endeavour (and would along the motorway feasibility (and property restore lost urban blocks) it may corridor by encouraging market demand) for be untenable given assumed development which delivering development preference for public space in this spans the motorway over the M8. location. It may also be that the (and restoring lost urban additional cost to span a motorway blocks). which may become obsolete within a generation or two would not be good value for money.

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(Y)our Blythswood Impact / Reach / Action Plan Immediate Short Term : Y1 Medium Term : Y2-Y4 Long Term : Y5+ Key Stakeholders Term Justification / Observations (Y)our Great Streets & Spaces Bigger Context: Improved Public Spaces and Connections

Significantly enhance Ensure a (Y)our City Develop, consult and Monitor and implement Monitor and Glasgow City Council (lead) High Impact / Analysis confirms that Glasgow is the quality of the public Centre Public Open Space confirm (Y)our Public Open impacts of (Y)our City implement impacts with active travel, public Regional Project failing to optimise its network of open space within the strategy, focussing on Space Strategy as part Centre Public Open Space of (Y)our City Centre transport and public open / Short to Long city centre streets and public open city centre. It is essential (Y)our Great Streets and of the City Centre SDF. Strategy. Coordinate with Public Open Space space stakeholders (eg SPT, Term spaces. to maintain an overview, Spaces, is encapsulated Review and encapsulate a refreshed Transport Strategy bus operators, Sustrans, Living across the city centre, to within the City Centre the relevant key findings Strategy. Streets etc.) Consultees recognise the qualities prioritise action and ensure Strategic Development from the Glasgow that the best of Glasgow city the hierarchy of streets and Framework (SDF). Connectivity Commission. (Y)our Pedestrian and centres streets, squares and parks spaces is enhanced. Coordinate (Y)our City Accessibility Champion have and the need to emulate The extent of the EIIPR Centre Public Open Space this quality across the city centre. ‘Avenues’ City Deal project strategy with a refreshed Glasgow’s public open spaces is confirmed. Promote and Transport Strategy. in the city centre fail to meet the designate the new River standards in equivalent cities in Park. Commence a review Monitor progress across terms of quality of place, design of Glasgow city centre’s the City Centre and within and maintenance. Moreover streets as part of Glasgow the DRF area against this many consultees see scope for urban mobility network and parallel DRF action dramatic improvement in terms (see ‘Tartan Grid’ below) plans. of functionality and efficiency as and public events spaces places to move through, stop and (hierarchy of main squares enjoy or to host events / city life. and principal streets plus Glasgow Green)

Variation in Street Character (Smart Tartan Grid) Enhance the quality and Develop a (Y)our City Refine and finalise smart Develop business case for Continue phased Glasgow City Council (lead) High Impact / Many consultees confirm site legibility of Glasgow’s Centre Public Open ‘tartan’ grid concept and implementing smart ‘tartan’ implementation. with active travel, public Regional Project analysis that the city’s urban city centre urban grid Space Strategy. Make encapsulate in to the City street grid on a prioritised Design, procure, transport and public open / Short to Long street grid is a great asset which of streets and squares. Business Case to Centre SDF. Consult and basis. Design, procure, construct and monitor space stakeholders (eg SPT, Term is not used optimally. There was Optimise the efficiency and undertake scenario testing confirm, alongside any construct and monitor impacts. bus operators, Sustrans, Living widespread agreement that too functionality of the street of traffic modelling of a revision to the City Centre impacts. Streets etc.) many streets are poor quality as network to support the smart ‘tartan’ street grid Transport Strategy. they try (and fail) to accommodate hierarchy of travel modes; concept. Progress in (Y)our Pedestrian and the pedestrian, cyclist, bus, taxi and pedestrian, cyclist, public parallel with negotiations Identify prototype / proof of Implement in a phased Accessibility Champion car. transport, servicing, private to revise bus routing, concept trials to establish basis. vehicle. Review one-way plug cycle network gaps potential for ‘tartan’ grid / Many consultees also highlighted road system and assess and develop River Park / super-grid creating local that the city grid can be confusing benefits of alternatives. Urbanised M8 concepts. car access streets and for pedestrians and drivers alike enhancing pedestrian, and enhancing the street hierarchy Refer to (Y)our Updated cycle and bus routing. would assist in legibility and Mobility chapter. wayfinding.

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(Y)our Blythswood Impact / Reach / Action Plan Immediate Short Term : Y1 Medium Term : Y2-Y4 Long Term : Y5+ Key Stakeholders Term Justification / Observations Green streets, parks and play spaces Increase greenspace Understand the extent of Develop designs Design and construct first Continue to implement Glasgow City Council - DRS High Impact / Many consultees have reflected on and soft landscaping new green infrastructure (in accordance with additional interventions. greenspace network and NS (lead) with City Deal; Local Project / the lack of green space in central throughout Blythswood to be implemented Blythswood DRF and Assess environmental per the Blythswood inputs from local landowners Short - Medium Glasgow. Technical consultees district, including more via ‘Avenues’ / EIIPR. associated Public Realm and social impacts (incl DRF. Monitor / building occupiers / Term have raised the need for improved street trees. Ensure Acquire land-ownership design guides / Surface integration of SUDs and impacts and adjust developers / communities. biodiversity, surface water integration of play - information and review Water Management urban play space) implementation Key Stakeholders incl utilities management and need for informal towards (Y)our Playful City existing and potential Strategy) for enhanced accordingly. companies. play space environments. greenspace opportunities. greenspace in Blythswood Initiate dialogue with District. Seek pilot project These observations are supported landowners re testing / within Blythswood DRF by survey and analysis of the prototyping via Stalled (in addition to St. Vincent district and the lessons to be Spaces type trials Street / Elmbank Street learned from elsewhere re; the / Crescent ‘Avenue’ / benefits (health, socio-economic, EIIPR) to develop city environmental) of increased and centre green infrastructure quality urban green space. concepts

Updated St Vincent Street

St. Vincent Street is and Continue to progress Develop design concepts Procure, construct and Continue to monitor Glasgow City Council (lead) High Impact / City There is wide recognition that St. will continue to be one of the EIIPR ‘Avenues’ for St. Vincent Street, monitor impacts. impacts and make - NS and DRS, with key EIIPR Centre project / Vincent Street is obviously and the great arterial routes programme, though combining lessons further adjustments stakeholders Medium Term undoubtedly one of the great in Glasgow, connecting explore scope to prioritise learned from first phases benefitting from streets in the city centre, with the city centre to the St. Vincent Street as one of Avenues alongside reduced car traffic. significant scope for improvement. west. It is completely of Glasgow’s great streets specific adjustments to There was broad agreement from dominated by motorised and recognising the respect St. Vincent Street’s most consultees that the current vehicles at present. The investment going in to the character (eg. maintaining over allocation of roadspace is not EIIPR Avenues project area (Scottish Power HQ urban vistas : no trees?) ideal and should be changed to should recalibrate the etc.) improve the quality of the public allocation of space to realm. improve pedestrian and cyclist experience (and better integrate with bus services).

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(Y)our Blythswood Impact / Reach / Action Plan Immediate Short Term : Y1 Medium Term : Y2-Y4 Long Term : Y5+ Key Stakeholders Term Justification / Observations Improved West George Street This DRF has revealed the In parallel with the EIIPR Commission and Design, procure and Monitor impacts Glasgow City Council (lead) High Impact / City This project emerged directly potential for West George Avenues project undertake undertake West George construct. Implement over long term and - NS and DRS, with key EIIPR Centre Project / from public consultation and Street to complement a strategic review of the Street improvement study in phases in tandem make adjustment stakeholders including Sustrans Medium Term participatory planning. The the EIIPR Avenues, and impact of reducing traffic -verifying the cost-benefit with works to enhance accordingly. and Living Streets. possibility of linking from George as part of the Smart and enhancing pedestrian of such an intervention Blythswood Square Square to Blythswood Square Tartan Grid inititaive, by priority on West George to help create a Smart and on to Charing Cross and the becoming a key east-west Street. Make the business Tartan Grid across the West End heightened the strategic pedestrian connection, case to undertake a city centre. Assess importance of this proposal. linking Blythswood Square feasibility and impact impact and commission Threading a link through the Pitt with George Square and study. design project. Undertake Street development site, the former the River Park. Scope to Experimental Traffic High School and to Charing Cross extend linkages further Regulation Order and would create a pedestrian green westward to former High instigate events on route between the major EIIPR School site, Charing Cross Blythwsood Square to Avenues of St. Vincent Street and and beyond. George Square to test / Sauchiehall Street. demonstrate scope for change. Pilot project for Smart Tartan Grid.

Improved Blythswood Square Blythwsood Square is In tandem with West In parallel with a West Design, procure, construct Long term cycle of Glasgow City Council (lead) High Impact / City The status of Blythswood Square the principal greenspace George Street and George Street study and monitor the impacts review / monitoring - NS and DRS, with key EIIPR Centre Project / as a key space in the DRF area in the Blythswood DRF the Smart tartan Grid undertake a technical of full streetscape of impacts as each stakeholders including Sustrans Medium Term was clearly evident in the public area. Though a private concept establlish the feasibility study, costed to enhancements around phase is delivered and Living Streets. consultation. Ideas about a communal garden it is business case to develop verify the cost-benefit of Blythswood Square. complete re-think about the space a significant asset in the a feasibility study to upgrading the streetscape were forthcoming. It was widely set-piece Georgian square. enhance the streetscape (and gardens). Undertake recognised that the gardens are Many public consultees around Blythswood Experimental or Temporary private, and the overwhelming indicated a desire for the Square. Also commence TROs to help test and majority would warmly welcome garden to re-open to the exploratory discussions demonstrate possibilities. the reopening of the gardens to the public and play a positive with the private garden Make and secure funding public if at all possible. Regardless role in the city centre. owners to establish their to progress. there was significant support Notwithstanding the longer term ambitions / for a major enhancement of the status of the garden the intentions. streetscape in the Square and street network around the adjacent area. perimeter of the Square should be enhanced to a standard befitting one of Glasgow’s great, historic urban spaces.

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(Y)our Blythswood Impact / Reach / Action Plan Immediate Short Term : Y1 Medium Term : Y2-Y4 Long Term : Y5+ Key Stakeholders Term Justification / Observations Blythswood Street Steep Park The urban grid on Research how other Undertake feasibility study Design, procure and Long term cycle of Glasgow City Council (lead) High Impact / This idea received broad support Blythswood Hill, notably cities have responded to for steep street park. implement public realm / review / monitoring - NS and DRS, with key EIIPR Local Project / in public consultation. It addresses south of Blythswood Street this type of topography Consider Experimental or linear park enhancements. of impacts as each stakeholders including Sustrans Medium Term the chronic lack of green space in and Douglas Street creates and assess the benefits Temporary TRO (or Open phase is delivered and Living Streets. the city centre, retrofits extremely extremely steep streets. of these interventions. Streets type initiative) steep urban streets for a positive There are opportunities This may include a trial - events based activity purpose and helps to enhance to develop attractive and of car free uses on both to test and celebrate a surface water management and interactive responses to Blythswood Street and car-free approach on biodiversity in the city. This link the topography of these Douglas Street. these streets. Conclude could be taken forward in its spaces that will increase feasibility study and agree own right or as part of a wider footfall. In addition there next steps. pedestrian green loop connecting is an opportunity to use Blythswood Square with the River interventions to address Park. the lack of green space within the city centre and to integrate any interventions into the surface water management system.

Surface Water Management Strategy Seamless integration of Review technical Identify a pilot project Integrate Surface Water Long term cycle of Glasgow City Council (lead) High Impact / Surface Water Management (SWM) Council’s Surface Water constraints / viability (a Blythswood Lane Management into pilot review / monitoring - NS and DRS; partnership District Project / Strategy approved by GCC. There Management Strategy - of integrating Surface / Plaza / DRF Open projects and assess of impacts as each working with Scottish Water, Long Term is a pressing need to implement the fused with public open Water Management Space / Rain Garden) to achievement of KPIs. Apply phase is delivered SEPA and SNH. Seek academic recommendations from the SWM space strategy and other Strategy objectives within identify Surface Water lessons to future briefing partners to review/ research Strategy to deliver more resilient interventions (e.g. roof Blythswood DRF (in Management (SWM) best and implement through implementation. urban infrastructure to future-proof gardens / rain gardens). addition to the ‘Avenues’ / practice. Scope out full remaining green space the city and enhance the city centre A design response to EIIPR projects extent of ‘optimum’ SWM infrastructure. environment. achieve zero discharge of approach and develop storm water into combined costings. Consider funding sewers / developer contribution scenarios to enable forward investment.

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(Y)our Blythswood Impact / Reach / Action Plan Immediate Short Term : Y1 Medium Term : Y2-Y4 Long Term : Y5+ Key Stakeholders Term Justification / Observations Public Art Development of an Seek funding to trial a Explore scope to trial Deliver Blythswood Arts Deliver Blythswood Glasgow City Council and Moderate Impact Blythswood DRF study area innovative and creative arts Blythswood Artist-in- public arts projects in Strategy - monitor and Arts Strategy - monitor Creative Scotland - lead. / District Project is adjacent to some of central strategy and programme Residence. Develop a Blythswood via planned review impacts and review impacts Inputs from Glasgow School of / Short to Long Glasgow’s most significant creative of permanent and brief for a City Centre city arts festivals / Art, local arts community (via Term clusters (Glasgow School of Art / temporary installations to Public Arts Strategy events (e.g. Sonica, networks), local communities, CCA). Many consultees have meaningfully embed visual (including urban feature Glasgow International businesses / developers championed the arts as being and performing arts in to lighting). This could be an etc.). Temporary events. crucial in Glasgow’s regeneration, the Blythswood District extension of the planned Commission and finalise and indicated enthusiasm artist in residence by (Y)our Blythswood Public to champion further creative Council ward. Review Arts Strategy. Make regeneration in the area. This could scope of existing public funding applications to include re purposing of Blythswood space design / scope and implement (including S75 Court. opportunities to integrate monies) artworks (temporary or Glasgow is renowned internationally permanent) as a cultural hub and authentic, creative regeneration adds significant and lasting value to place-mending. The arts can help test and change perceptions of places and act as a catalyst for change in urban regeneration. Blythswood presents a massive opportunity to test that in a city centre district, building upon renowned success in the Merchant City and supporting the regeneration of the area around the nearby GSA.

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(Y)our Blythswood Impact / Reach / Action Plan Immediate Short Term : Y1 Medium Term : Y2-Y4 Long Term : Y5+ Key Stakeholders Term Justification / Observations (Y)our Great Buildings

Strategy for Higher Density Blythswood Within the Blythswood DRF Confirm analysis in Conduct skyline / tall Monitor implementation of Monitor and review Glasgow City Council - DRS Local Policy Comparative analysis indicates area, and notably along the Blythswood DRF. Identify buildings policy review policies and effectiveness effectiveness and and NS, Historic Environment Glasgow needs to be more M8 corridor, there exists and plug gaps in analysis (including Conservation / appropriateness in adjust guidelines Scotland, Architecture + Design densely populated. Moreover an opportunity to increase / data. Scope out study Area appraisal). Confirm delivering increased accordingly. Scotland there is scope, accepted by most build density and heights to assess skyline and validity of findings. density, mix and quality. consultees, that Blythswood DRF is to optimise the benefits of tall buildings policies / an appropriate location for higher a compact, walkable city. analysis. Develop, test and consult density (and potentially higher upon revised specimen tall buildings - notably along the M8 Review existing tall buildings policies (perhaps corridor, the River and adjacent to buildings policy guidance, alongside the preparation mainline rail stations). including the CDP of an M8 Masterplan - see Placemaking Principle. below). Adopt adapted / Develop a brief for an M8 new policies. corridor Masterplan which assesses a tall buildings policy along the motorway. More broadly assess tall buildings policies across the city centre to enable tall, high quality buildings in appropriate locations.

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(Y)our Blythswood Impact / Reach / Action Plan Immediate Short Term : Y1 Medium Term : Y2-Y4 Long Term : Y5+ Key Stakeholders Term Justification / Observations Histroic Blythswood A significant portion of Review the existing Scope out and procure Implement and monitor Implement, monitor Glasgow City Council, Historic High Impact / City Glasgow built heritage is the Blythswood DRF Conservation Area policies a Conservation Area policy effectiveness. and adjust policy / Environments Scotland, Centre Project recognised as one of the city’s area is included within and guidance. Audit appraisal. Refresh the Implement projects projects Glasgow City Heritage Trust, / Short to Long prized assets. Consultees the Central Glasgow what actions / guidance Conservation Area with secured funding. Glasgow Building Preservation Term overwhelmingly cite built heritage Conservation Area. is or is not currently policy and guidance Implement a Blythswood Trust, Scottish Civic Trust, as one of the best things Glasgow Built heritage enriches adhered to. Consider and supplemented / heritage interpretation others. city centre has. Glasgow, gives areas in preparing Blythswood replaced with Blythswood programme. the DRF distinctiveness specific guidance to area specific appraisal However there is concern amongst and is crucial to the future emphasise the area’s and guidance. Scope many consultees that existing policy success of the area. distinctive historic identity. out and develop / enforcement is failing to secure Approach all owners of funding application to sustainable long term uses for historic buildings / sites support maintenance historic buildings. Several heritage to evaluate potential to and appreciation of consultees highlighted the plight of support / advise. Early Blythswood’s built and many buildings at risk, with concern focus on buildings at risk social heritage. that policy / support is insufficient. or high profile landmarks Many consultees feel there’s a lack in poor order (eg. of appreciation of the importance of St.Vincent Street Church) build heritage, and many buildings are poorly maintained.

There was numerous suggestions emerging through public consultation to reveal and celebrate the hidden, and little known histories of the area to draw in visitors and raise appreciation amongst Glaswegians. An innovative interpretation of the built and social heritage of the area would be very welcome and supported. Lively Streetfronts Active street frontages on Confirm existing and Maintain a dynamic map / Review and refine policy Review and refine Glasgow City Council - DRS High Impact / Quality active frontages are principal routes, in line new routes to have monitor of active frontage through implementation. policy through (supported by 3rd party review Local Project / fundamental to successful cities with SG1 - Placemaking highest focus for active throughout DRF. Review Consider researching implementation / research). Liaison with Short to Medium and convivial streets. It is essential Principle. Ensure frontage (e.g. St. Vincent implementation of planning data re footfall / economic developers / land and building Term to monitor the condition and accessible / active Street). Audit existing policy and areas for benefits in areas with owners / occupants and provide support / guidance to frontages on principal building frontages. redefinition / reinforcement successful implementation. architects building owners / developers to streets / spaces / routes Identify missing pieces / of policy. Scope out a ensure active street frontages are throughout Blythswood areas for improvement. shop front / street frontage provided in the correct locations. DRF. Test application of new enhancement programme planning policy (DRF and pilot on St. Vincent Supplementary Planning Street. Guidance)

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(Y)our Blythswood Impact / Reach / Action Plan Immediate Short Term : Y1 Medium Term : Y2-Y4 Long Term : Y5+ Key Stakeholders Term Justification / Observations Design Guidelines Needed

For high profile sites / Review Blythswood Scope and procure design Adopt and apply Design Monitor and review Glasgow City Council - DRS Local Policy Restoring the area around Charing streets or recurring issues DRF recommendations. guidelines to augment Guidelines. Monitor and effectiveness and and NS, Historic Environment Cross and Charing Cross Station, clear Design Guidelines Confirm locations that Blythswood DRF and M8 review effectiveness. adjust guidelines Scotland, Architecture + Design and adapting Blythswood Court are needed to ensure high warrant specific design Corridor masterplan. accordingly. Scotland (the former Anderston Centre) quality design is applied to guidelines (e.g. area are high priorities emerging Blythswood’s regeneration. around Charing Cross from the DRF, with widespread Station / India Street and backing from consultees. It is around Blythswood Court essential that regeneration (place- -see below) making and place-mending) is achieved to the highest standards in these locations. Specific design guidelines are therefore recommended to give clear advice to designers, developers and planners.

Refashioned Blythswood Court The reconfiguration of Survey and assess Compete feasibility / Progress implementing Continue to progress Glasgow City Council -DRS, High Impact / Blythswood Court (the the existing buildings, Masterplan. Review feasibility / Masterplan in and monitor impacts. City Parking as well as building District Project / former Anderston Centre) land ownership and and act upon parallel with monitoring Full redevelopment owners / occupiers, local and Short- Long Term creates significant uses. Consult / liaise recommendations. Explore impacts of early / comprehensive national agencies. opportunities to work with building owners, and trial / implement interventions. reconfiguration should with all stakeholders to occupiers and key ‘Blythswood Art Court’ be taken forward by reconnect this part of stakeholders. Develop concepts. Prioritise this time. the city (see Hill to River a business case (with restoring north-south Streets in Broomielaw owners) to undertake a connections between DRF). Interventions could feasibility study to assess Waterloo Street and Argyle include restoring direct meanwhile / retrofitting Street. connections, retrofitting options alongside unused areas for new complete redevelopment Commence any site uses (e.g. arts). This could of the area. assembly in advance transform this neglected of reconfiguration / piece of the city; either to Consider feasibility study redevelopment in line repurpose long term, or in / Masterplan considering with property strategy advance of demolition and viability of new uses, in feasibility study / complete redevelopment technical and design Masterplan. (including the Marriot hotel parameters and costs. site and outdated office accommodation adjacent Test demand for new arts to the Hilton hotel. spaces in this area of the city - Blythswood Art Court.

232 233 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD ACTION PLAN ACTION PLAN (Y)our Vibrant Blythswood Action Plan

(Y)our Blythswood Impact / Reach / Action Plan Immediate Short Term : Y1 Medium Term : Y2-Y4 Long Term : Y5+ Key Stakeholders Term Justification / Observations (Y)our Vibrant Blythswood

Strong Neighbourhood Identities

Blythswood DRF features Confirm DRF analysis of Procure and conclude a Monitor impact of each Ongoing monitoring. Glasgow City Council - DRS Local Policy / Analysis and consultation confirms several distinctive existing and proposed Masterplan for adoption / Masterplan (and any Planning that the City Centre Districts neighbourhoods. This neighbourhood promotion / coordination subsequent masterplans). (as defined in the City Centre diversity should be characteristics. Consider of regeneration of sites Strategy) are composed of celebrated and (where need for further along the M8 corridor numerous neighbourhoods with appropriate) reinforced or neighbourhood specific (notably around Charing different characteristics. It was redefined. masterplans. Cross Station) and west widely accepted that proposals of the M8. Confirm a should seek to retain and brief / purpose for any emphasise (where appropriate) subsequent Masterplan. the distinctiveness of each neighbourhood, notably those that are / need transforming.

Mixed and Repopulated Blythswood

Increased mix of Review and confirm Conclude review of Continue to promote Continue to promote Glasgow City Council, High Impact / City Successful city centres succeed complementary uses analysis undertaken policies and market / enable mixed use / enable mixed use landowners, Scottish Enterprise, Centre Project / on the basis of a positive mix necessary to ensure in Blythswood DRF. research. Identify barriers development. Monitor development. Scottish Futures Trust, Long Term of appropriate uses. Analysis, Blythswood and Anderston Identify gaps in analysis and opportunities implementation and review developers / investors, Invest reinforced by consultation, confirms become lively urban city and sources of relevant for delivering mixed policy / procedures. Glasgow that many parts of the Blythswood centre neighbourhoods. information on existing use development in DRF area suffer because of a lack This includes employment capacity and projected Blythswood DRF. Adjust of mixed uses. Certain parts of the uses (e.g. business) and land-uses / market policies / guidance DRF area are either dominated by also increased residential demand / capacity. accordingly. Promote a single land use or large scale population (see Re- Review existing policies in Blythswood DRF area buildings which creates a ‘dead Populated Blythswood terms of delivering mixed to enable mixed use zone’ at certain time of the day / below) use development. development / investment. week or have an unsuccessful mix of inappropriate uses

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(Y)our Blythswood Impact / Reach / Action Plan Immediate Short Term : Y1 Medium Term : Y2-Y4 Long Term : Y5+ Key Stakeholders Term Justification / Observations Re-Populated Blythswood

To create a vibrant and Publish and review the Identify blockages in Continue to address / Ongoing Glasgow City Council, Scottish High Impact / Early analysis and comparison convivial city centre a findings of the Residential securing more city centre remove barriers to city implementation and Futures Trust, Scottish Regional Project with other equivalent European significant increase in Strategy. Review and housing (policy, investment centre living / mixed use monitoring Government, GHA, housing / Short to Long cities confirms that Glasgow has a resident population is confirm the analysis etc.). Investigate market development. Continue associations, housebuilders Term low city centre residential density. required. undertaken in the demand / interest in city to promote / market sites / developers, investors, Analysis indicates that increased Blythswood DRF. Assess centre living. Explore / vacant buildings for Homelessness Charities, population density would greatly the Strategic Housing scope for RSLs / others to housing. Monitor impacts. voluntary sector assist in improving the city centre. Investment Plan (SHIP) deliver affordable housing Continue dialogue with all with respect to City Centre in city centre. Identify and parties involved in policy Most consultees (general public / Blythswood DRF promote pilot sites. Revise and delivery. and expert stakeholders) welcomed the SHIP accordingly. an increase in resident population, though some consultees raised concerns about barriers to making city centre living work / fit with other uses.

Community Infrastructure To support a vibrant, Confirm initial mapping Review applicable Adjust policy / investment Ongoing Community Planning High Impact / City In anticipation of an increased city mixed urban district with of existing and planned policies for infrastructure plans according to implementation and Partnership - lead, Glasgow City Project / Short to centre population (resident, working distinctive neighbourhoods amenities. Assess any investment, developer updated projects. Monitor monitoring. Council, Community Councils, Long Term and visitor) it is vital to assess with a growing population spare capacity, catchment contributions and effectiveness of any early Scottish Futures Trust, NHS, and plan to address any identified the provision of appropriate and the potential and any relevant existing adjustments. Implement Emergency Services, Public shortfall in provision of community amenities (including projected increases in / emerging models new policies / investment Sector bodies with estate in infrastructure. Any discussions community infrastructure, resident and working to assist in delivering plans. central Glasgow. and analysis regarding increased education, health and population envisaged enhanced community city centre living also highlighted social care, recreation / for Blythswood DRF infrastructure / amenities. the need to provide the facilities leisure space) is vital. area. Commence supply Conclude supply / demand required of an increased population / demand projections projections to scope density in central Glasgow. to scope out potential out existing / potential gaps in provision. Review gaps in provision. Adjust existing policies / planned policy / investment plans public sector investment in according to updated and around Glasgow city projects. centre.

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(Y)our Blythswood Impact / Reach / Action Plan Immediate Short Term : Y1 Medium Term : Y2-Y4 Long Term : Y5+ Key Stakeholders Term Justification / Observations Shopping in Blythswood

Support a high density, Review and confirm Conduct soft market Promote market sites Continue to promote / Glasgow City Council, City Moderate Impact / Retail demand bolstered by mixed use urban district analysis in Blythswood testing on the scope within Blythswood. Trial market sites / vacant Centre Retailers Association, City Centre Project increased residential and working with more residents and a DRF and proposed to extend and diversify temporary events / retail buildings for retail. Chamber of Commerce, / Medium to Long population in the DRF area as part greater variety of shops, planning policy. Review higher quality retail. Scope uses and monitor impacts existing business, landowners / Term of a mixed use quarter. located in optimum available Retail Market out / conduct analysis / proof concepts. Continue investors / developers, property locations to support and analysis / strategies. of potential functions in dialogue with all parties agents generate footfall / activity. Blythswood. involved in policy and Supports Lively Street delivery. fronts Dining and nightlife in Blythswood Programme of events Review recent/existing Scope out potential Continue to deliver and Continue to monitor Glasgow City Council, High Impact / Several consultees indicated / trials to redefine events / activities and seasonal events / activities monitor impacts of impacts and Community Safety Glasgow, Local Project / desire to support / deliver events / Blythswood as an scope out potential (refer to (Y)our Temporary temporary activities / deliver enhanced buildings owners / occupiers, ‘Quick Win’ Short activities to trial what could work in attractive, safe and quality partners for future events. Street Events) sponsorship seasonal events. Measure programme. community councils, Creative Term Blythswood. evening destination Liaise with community to secure initial first year success and seek to Scotland, Glasgow Life, safety / policing re programme and implement enliven Blythswood and Retailers and Hoteliers Many consultees indicated that issues relating to events activities. Monitor impacts improve marketability of Associations, VisitScotland, Blythswood needs to be redefined management and safety. and obtain feedback. area for further investment. Police Scotland as a destination for evening Use evidence base to economy and that this would assist make the case for forward in retaining / attracting business funding for further events and future residents / investment to in Blythswood. the area.

Repurpose Vacant Spaces

Appoint a team / individual Confirm principles with Identify pilot projects - at Review feedback & plan Review feedback & Glasgow City Council - High Impact / City Several consultees flagged up tasked with being single Blythswood land/building least one vacant site a programme of local/ plan a programme planning, licensing, land/ Centre / Short - potential ‘quick win’ initiatives and point of contact to apply owners group and agree and one vacant building regional events. Continue of regional/national building owners, creatives / Medium Term a desire to identify a single point proactive planning to pilot locations. Scope (or part) in Blythswood. to map potential vacant events GSA, street food providers, of contact at GCC to help get enable new uses in out and designate a lead Identify partners, initial spaces (sites and entertainers, etc. things done - events management, underused, vacant spaces officer to promote initiative design, costs, clear buildings) to trial, and funding advice, consents / licenses. / buildings. Links to the (Y) (extended Stalled Spaces planning/licencing regs potential partners to work our Green Street, Great programme?). & arrange services. Look with. Buildings and Stalled for a soft trial in Y1. Agree Spaces Projects. monitoring framework.

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(Y)our Blythswood Impact / Reach / Action Plan Immediate Short Term : Y1 Medium Term : Y2-Y4 Long Term : Y5+ Key Stakeholders Term Justification / Observations Remarkable Public Space

Incorporate formal and Review and confirm Consider wider City Progress design / Ongoing Glasgow City Council, Refer to High Impact / City To enliven public open spaces, and informal public spaces analysis in Blythswood Centre Strategies. procurement / trials / implementation and M8 Area Masterplan and the M8 Project / Short to enable healthy, active living in the within new / revamped Masterplan Vision / DRF. Develop feasibility studies facilities. Integrate with monitoring projects Long Term city centre. Many consultees have public open spaces Review the national and for M8 urbanisation to wider public realm strategy. welcomed an initiative to encourage (pocket parks, plazas, Glasgow Play Strategy accommodate regional Seek funding via developer play / sports. Several have cited lanes) and SportScotland / destination with amenity contributions and other international best practice and Glasgow Life guidance for city centre residents sources. health / economic benefits of play / on urban sports and play. / workers / visitors. Trial sports for cities. Review implications for / prove concepts with Blythswood DRF area. temporary activities / events.

Temporary Street Events

Continuous programme Map out current initiatives Adjust / refine / streamline Maintain focus on Maintain focus Glasgow City Council - existing High Impact / Glasgow has developed a strong of events / temporary / (e.g. Stalled Spaces etc.). approvals processes / reactivating vacant spaces on reactivating and potential events organisers Local and City track record in using events to permanent interventions Obtain feedback from contact points at GCC for and underused streets vacant spaces (e.g. arts organisations), Centre projects / enliven the city centre, trial activities to transform vacant and property owners / groups advice to enable more proactively approaching and underused Short Term ‘Quick and seek to change perceptions under-utilised sites / streets interested in progressing activity. owners / occupiers. streets proactively Win’ to Longer about parts of the city centre. in Blythswood DRF. This ideas. approaching owners / Term Blythswood DRF area urgently could include; temporary Develop prioritised Deliver rolling programme occupiers. requires to be re imagined and sports / play spaces, Commence mapping of programme and fund of re purposing and have perceptions changed. Several temporary gardens (Stalled candidate sites (vacant / dedicated officer(s) to events, selected to Deliver rolling consultees indicating a willingness Spaces), street festivals under occupied sites and coordinate and enable encourage longer term programme of re to work with GCC to deliver events. (food, light, art). street spaces). street events. regeneration of Blythswood purposing and Continue and conclude DRF. Continuous review of events, selected to Focus on enabling existing events Review funding / ‘red review of current events effectiveness / scope for encourage longer and encouraging targeted new tape’ issues. Review programming. Progress improvement. term regeneration of activities. effectiveness of existing and deliver events / ideas Blythswood DRF. events programming. in planning or emerging through DRF. Continue seasonal cycle of events and activities throughout City Centre to enliven underused space.

Review impacts.

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(Y)our Blythswood Impact / Reach / Action Plan Immediate Short Term : Y1 Medium Term : Y2-Y4 Long Term : Y5+ Key Stakeholders Term Justification / Observations Art Event Development of an Seek funding to trial a Explore scope to trial Deliver Blythswood Arts Deliver Blythswood Glasgow City Council and Moderate Impact Blythswood DRF study area innovative and creative arts Blythswood Artist-in- public arts projects in Strategy - monitor and Arts Strategy - monitor Creative Scotland - lead. / District Project is adjacent to some of central strategy and programme Residence. Develop a Blythswood via planned review impacts and review impacts Inputs from Glasgow School of / Short to Long Glasgow’s most significant creative of permanent and brief for a City Centre city arts festivals / Art, local arts community (via Term clusters (Glasgow School of Art / temporary installations to Public Arts Strategy events (e.g. Sonica, networks), local communities, CCA). Many consultees have meaningfully embed visual (including urban feature Glasgow International businesses / developers championed the arts as being and performing arts in to lighting). This could be an etc.). Temporary events. crucial in Glasgow’s regeneration, the Blythswood District extension of the planned Commission and finalise and indicated enthusiasm artist in residence by (Y)our Blythswood Public to champion further creative Council ward. Review Arts Strategy. Make regeneration in the area. This could scope of existing public funding applications to include repurposing of Blythswood space design / scope and implement (including S75 Court. opportunities to integrate monies) artworks (temporary or Glasgow is renowned internationally permanent) as a cultural hub and authentic, creative regeneration adds significant and lasting value to place-mending. The arts can help test and change perceptions of places and act as a catalyst for change in urban regeneration. Blythswood presents a massive opportunity to test that in a city centre district, building upon renowned success in the Merchant City and supporting the regeneration of the area around the nearby GSA.

242 243 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD ACTION PLAN ACTION PLAN Transforming (Y)our Blythswood Action Plan

(Y)our Blythswood Impact / Reach / Action Plan Immediate Short Term : Y1 Medium Term : Y2-Y4 Long Term : Y5+ Key Stakeholders Term Justification / Observations Transforming (Y)our Blythswood Sustainable Blythswood

Blythswood regeneration Review Blythswood Procure and conclude Monitor impact of Ongoing Glasgow City Council - DRS Local Policy / Glasgow has developed should pilot new ways to DRF assessment Masterplans for the M8 Blythswood DRF implementation / Planning progressive strategies for future- integrate sustainable urban of opportunities for corridor and Blythswood Masterplans and monitoring. proofing the city (eg. Surface solutions (Low carbon, integrating sustainable Court, with specific associated sustainable High Impact / Water Management, Resilience, climate change adaptive urbanism / planning into engineering advice on urbanism advice. Long Term etc.). These need to be properly etc.) in central Glasgow area regeneration. sustainable urbanism, for integrated into detailed masterplans that can be applied across adoption / promotion of for priority areas. Blythswood, all DRFs. sites. tying in to Broomielaw, is a priority regeneration area in central Glasgow and should pilot the technical implications of this approach.

M8 Area Masterplan Alongside the River Develop business Complete and adopt Review, implement Review, implement Glasgow City Council - DRS High Impact / The M8 blights this part of Glasgow. corridor the M8 motorway case and brief for M8 the Masterplan and monitor impacts of and monitor impacts (lead), Transport Scotland, National Project There was widespread if not corridor is one of the Masterplan. Commission recommendations. Masterplan. Adjust /refine of Masterplan. Adjust landowners /building occupiers / Short to Long unanimous support for improving highest priority issues Masterplan. Consult Prioritise early actions and on an ongoing basis. /refine on an ongoing along M8, investors / Term the quality of east-west connections that requires attention with key stakeholders, develop baseline data to basis. developers, and mitigating the negative impact to mitigate the negative including Transport monitor environmental, of the M8 (noise, pollution, poor impacts of an urban Scotland and land / economic / property image). There is great potential motorway. The blight building owners. market indices to assist and opportunity to transform this along the M8, alongside in making the case for part of Glasgow, restoring lost or the possibility to open up Develop a design / delivery. poor connections and radically new development sites, placemending vision representing the western edge of presents an opportunity for the area alongside a Set up a Project Sponsor / the city centre with a fresh and bold to redefine the western technical feasibility study Delivery Board to provide urban vision. edge of central Glasgow to assess the viability and leadership and ensure and create a striking and optimal approach to land action. positive gateway to the city assembly and delivery. centre. Dovetail and coordinate efforts alongside the EIIPR To outline the ambition and Avenues, River Park and guide this redefinition of Charing Cross key projects the M8 corridor a major iniatives. Masterplan exericise should be undertaken to consider, holsitically, the physical interventions and development possibilities that should be taken forward along the M8 corridor.

244 245 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD ACTION PLAN ACTION PLAN Transforming (Y)our Blythswood Action Plan

(Y)our Blythswood Impact / Reach / Action Plan Immediate Short Term : Y1 Medium Term : Y2-Y4 Long Term : Y5+ Key Stakeholders Term Justification / Observations Smart Blythswood Translating pilot projects Review specific findings Progress data sharing Progress / pilot (Y)our Ongoing Smart City Strategy Board, High Impact / Following the Future City emerging from Future City of Blythswood DRF and analysis across Smart Blythswood action implementation / Glasgow City Council, National Project Demonstrator project Glasgow has Demonstrator project into review of Smart Cities key partners (GCC, plan with Smart City monitoring. Urban Big Data Centre, City / Short to Long a platform to develop a progressive local DRFs. Development solutions and technology. Universities, Glasgow Strategy Board. Implement Observatory, Glasgow Life, 3rd Term and integrated smart cities action of a (Y)our Smart City Review ‘maturity models’ Life, others). Agree (Y) and monitor impacts. party’s datasets. plan. There exists a significant Action plan of projects and cross check with our Smart Blythswood dataset base and expertise with to embed into public ongoing initiatives with action plan and funding in Glasgow to capitalise on this realm and development newly established Smart / responsibilities with investment to integrate Smart investment. City Strategy Board. Smart City Strategy Board. City thinking and technology to Coordinate sharing of Implement and monitor help assess impacts and confirm dataset / knowledge impacts. priorities for future investment. between GCC, city’s Universities (Urban Big Data Centre, City Observatory etc.) and others

Blythswood Brand Beyond the International Review current status Procure and conclude Implement brand Ongoing Invest Glasgow, Glasgow Life, High Impact / Many consultees / stakeholders Financial Services of marketing / branding development of guidance. Promote implementation / Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Local Project / reflected that the IFSD brand District (IFSD) branding for Blythswood. Scope Blythswood branding to Blythswood - update monitoring. Chamber of Commerce Short to Medium should be refreshed and Blythswood DRF area out a campaign / brief align with new Masterplan collateral etc. Monitor Term any refocused promotion of (and it’s constituent parts) for a refreshed / focused for the area. Liaise with impacts. development sites should be should be vigorously Blythswood branding. existing investors / accompanied by updated branding. promoted via a wider re- landowner / developers. branding of Glasgow City Launch (Y)our Blythswood Centre as a place to invest, branding. live and do business.

Blythswood Performance Monitor Monitor progress and Review existing KPIs for Trial and finalise monitoring Adopt monitoring regime. Ongoing City Centre Strategy Board, Procedure / Policy To enable key partners to review effectiveness of this Action monitoring delivery of City regime. Consider scope to Review applicability. Roll implementation / Glasgow City Council progress in delivering / updating Plan with reference to Centre Strategy, City Deal dovetail with Smart Cities out for all DRFs monitoring using Short Term this Action Plan it is vital to establish specific key performance etc. Scope out KPIs for agenda / action plan. KPIs. Audit / review KPIs. The measures of success indicators. Blythswood DRF based monitoring regime. need to be SMART (Specific, upon DRF Objectives. Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound)

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(Y)our Blythswood Impact / Reach / Action Plan Immediate Short Term : Y1 Medium Term : Y2-Y4 Long Term : Y5+ Key Stakeholders Term Justification / Observations Blythswood Conservation Area Focused redefinition of Review and agree Undertake CA appraisal to Update Conservation Ongoing Glasgow City Council, Historic Local Policy Many consultees highlighted Blythswood conservation recommendation of identify new approaches Area policies. Implement implementation / Environment Scotland, GBPT, the significance of Blythswood’s area within Central a Conservation Area to heritage buildings findings of review re application of policy. GCHT High Impact / heritage. It creates a distinctiveness Conservation Area. Appraisal, seeking a in the 2020s. Identify awareness / interpretation Monitor impacts. National Project / for Blythswood and connection specific Blythswood focus. demonstration projects for of Blythswood built / social Ongoing to it’s place in Glasgow’s history. long term vacant buildings heritage. Many felt that there is a need with owners. Promote to refresh and apply the policy awareness of social and framework as it exists. built heritage Blythswood Heritage Property Fund Develop and manage a Confirm principles Publicise & promote fund, Complete 2 priority Complete additional GBPT, Glasgow City Council, High Impact / Several consultees reflected on heritage property funding with GBPT/GCC and identify priority projects projects & deliver 6 2 priority projects & Owners of heritage buildings, Local Project/ the slow progress to secure long package for grant support identify funds. Undertake successful funding deliver 4 successful Historic Environments Scotland Medium Term term uses for buildings at risk in the toward bringing heritage appraisal and draft fund applications. Review funding applications. area. Fresh approaches to secure buildings back into use. To guidelines Blythswood’s heritage asset would include proactive planning/ be welcomed by stakeholders. conservation/ building regs advice and match funding . Scope for pilot in Blythswood to demonstrate best practice

Night-Time Blythswood

Programme of events Review recent/existing Scope out potential Continue to deliver and Continue to monitor Glasgow City Council, High Impact / Many consultees, including building / trials to redefine events / activities and seasonal events / activities monitor impacts of impacts and Community Safety Glasgow, Local Project / occupiers / owners in Blythswood, Blythswood as an scope out potential (refer to (Y)our Temporary temporary activities / deliver enhanced buildings owners / occupiers in ‘Quick Win’ Short flagged up the lack of safe and attractive, safe and quality partners for future events. / Meanwhile Uses above) seasonal events. Measure programme. IFSD / Blythswood, community Term attractive evening economy in evening destination Liaise with community - develop funding / success and seek to councils, Creative Scotland, ceryain part of the DRF area. safety / policing re sponsorship to secure enliven Blythswood and Glasgow Life, Retailers Several indicated desire to support issues relating to events initial Y1 programme improve marketability of and Hoteliers Associations, / deliver events / activities to trial management and safety. and implement activities. area for further investment. VisitScotland, Police Scotland what could work in Blythswood. Monitor impacts and obtain feedback. Use Many consultees indicated that evidence base to make the Broomielaw needs to be redefined case for forward funding as a mixed-use destination for for further events in evening economy and that this Blythswood. would assist in retaining / attracting business and future residents / investment to the area.

248 249 (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD (Y)OUR BLYTHSWOOD ACTION PLAN ACTION PLAN Transforming (Y)our Blythswood Action Plan

(Y)our Blythswood Impact / Reach / Action Plan Immediate Short Term : Y1 Medium Term : Y2-Y4 Long Term : Y5+ Key Stakeholders Term Justification / Observations Clean and Well Maintained Blythswood

Street cleanliness and Review finding of Confirm minimum Continue to monitor Continue to monitor Glasgow City Council, building High Impact / City One of the most frequently maintenance is a high Operational Services standards / KPIs for KPIs (and applicability of KPIs and review owners / occupiers, SEPA, Keep Centre Project / recurring issues raised by public priority issue. Getting SWOT analysis and street cleaning and measures of successful monitoring system. Scotland Beautiful, Zero Waste ‘Quick Win’ Short consultees is the maintenance and the basics right is vital to feedback from DRF maintenance. Review and performance). Seek Scotland Term to Long Term cleanliness of streets throughout refresh Glaswegian’s and consultation processes. monitor implementation updated feedback annually central Glasgow. Notwithstanding visitor’s perceptions of Review recent changes and compliance with from public and city centre investment in public realm most Glasgow city centre. in street cleaning, waste KPIs. Assess scope for stakeholders to monitor consultees complained about the management and Smart City and other environmental quality and poor quality of streets in Glasgow. maintenance. new processes to pilot public satisfaction. Enhanced maintenance is a high new ways of working to priority issue for most consultees. enhance outcomes.

Dedicated Blythswood team

Dedicated staff resource Develop business case Appoint dedicated Monitor impacts. Extend Monitor impacts. Glasgow City Council and High Impact / Evidence from elsewhere, to drive Blythswood DRF to secure funding for officer(s) to lead / remit as appropriate. Extend remit as project partners Quick Win combined with observations of regeneration - working dedicated officer(s) to coordinate regeneration in appropriate. available resource, indicate that with City Centre team and take forward DRF Action Blythswood DRF. Establish additional staff / expertise is with specific focus on Plan. Could involve the KPIs and monitor impacts. required to support City Centre Blythswood DRF area. formation of an ALEO / Strategy team and project JV dedicated specifically partners to coordinate delivery to Blythswood DRF of the ambitions of the DRFs. regeneration. Regenerating Blythswood will require a higher level of public sector intervention to deliver sustained change.

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