IMAGES have been released showing what a transformed Glasgow city centre could look like after regeneration plans were approved by a council committee.
The plan for the so-called “Golden-Z” area of Glasgow – encompassing Argyll, Buchanan and Sauchiehall streets – targets specific “gap” sites which have been identified as being crucial to the success of the local area.
They include the former ABC/Jumpin Jacks sites adjoining the Glasgow School of Art, the area around the closed BHS on Sauchiehall Street, and the vacant TJ Hughes site near Trongate.
The council and the consultants involved in the plan – Stantec, Threesixty Architecture and Kevin Murray Associates – have sought to consider the most pressing issues facing the city centre of Scotland’s biggest city.
The changing nature of retail and leisure trends, a growing city centre population, changes to how people shop and work post-pandemic, and the need to repurpose vacant sites have all been considered.
Five objectives have been highlighted: Diversification of uses, densification and retrofit of land and buildings, creation of world-class public spaces, improving connectivity and accessibility, and ensuring inclusivity and appeal to a diverse range of users.
Councillor Angus Millar, convener for city centre recovery at Glasgow City Council, said: “Sauchiehall, Argyle and Buchanan Streets have long been at the heart of the city centre experience, but these key thoroughfares have been increasingly impacted by the major structural economic changes that are affecting city centres everywhere.
“Having a particular focus on this historic shopping area will help ensure it adapts to the changing retail sector and takes the opportunities coming its way.
“The actions within the plan for the ‘Golden Z’ will support our efforts to encourage a more diverse mix of uses in the city centre, including new residential accommodation, as well as finding positive solutions for key sites and supporting the repurposing of vacant property.
“The continued rollout of the Avenues programme and a new city centre greening strategy will help improve the area’s look and feel, while we also want to capitalise on its fantastic cultural and creative assets as part of the regeneration of Sauchiehall Street.
“We look forward to working with partners in pursuing this vision, with this work being an important part of our wider Glasgow City Centre Strategy which will be published and consulted upon in the coming weeks.”
The full document outlining the plan can be found here.
