Back to the Future: George Square Glasgow

As an architecture graduate, urban enthusiast & 20 minutes on the M8 short of being a Glaswegian this controversial story was bound to spark my interest.

Glasgow city council this week announced the 6 shortlisted submissions for the £15m makeover and as you might expect controversy erupted.

So the argument has become old vs new; the council want shiny, new & “look at me” factor while a large portion of Glaswegians are calling to restore the Square to its former glory.

George Square in 1867 - Sourced from https://www.facebook.com/restoregeorgesquare 

At first thought I would have agreed with the call for restoration however, upon seeing the submissions I must admit I find myself in the other camp.

I have a great enthusiasm for the design & functions of public space, and for me George Square has always failed in its principle goals.

The square is no more than a glorified roundabout, a mere garish red ash shortcut from A to B for the travelling pedestrian.

George Square Today: Sourced from Wikipedia

The restoration calls for the installation of large portions of green space & no prospect for business, my issue with this is that George Square isn’t a park, it’s a public square and public squares need to be more than just vast expanses of soggy grass.

Take for example, what is for me, Glasgow’s most successful public square: Royal Exchange Square. It’s only a few steps away from George Square & the difference in the spaces success is almost immeasurable (and there’s not a spec of green space in sight).

Royal Exchange square works because it’s integrated with the city, like most European counterparts, there are businesses (such as cafes) lining the edges offering a comfortable seat & shelter from our (frequent) bad weather. In Royal Exchange Square you can enjoy a coffee in the tranquil square, watching life go by & then carry on to the city’s shopping hub without having to traverse busy roads.

The real problem with George Square is that it’s isolated, marooned by busy roads & plighted with being hideously unattractive. I believe the new proposals offer George Square the best chance for a slice of success but only if we can overcome it’s isolation by transforming it into its own self-sufficient space, supporting Glasgow’s people by creating opportunities for more permanent small businesses to be incorporated into the space (I’d love to see a series of pavilions designed by our local architects). While I’m not sold on the idea of big patches of green space, I would like to see more landscaping; collections of trees & plantings to act a barrier between you & the unsightly roads.

      My Favourite Proposal - Design 6 (Sourced from http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3411)

In short, I think we need a space where we can on a (rare) summer day; we can stop, grab a drink, sit back & admire a beautifully designed public space.

Take a look at all of the Shortlisted Proposals at http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3411

Or

Join the Restoration Camp at http://www.restoregeorgesquare.com/