Cafe eh, ded culchured man, n'at

[M_Riaz]

You still need some novelty and creative elements to spruce up the Sq...ok we have the busy throughfare as well as the prime location for folks to linger and lounge about, but i do believe we need something to highlight the city in the Sq to make it special for us all to be there and feel special around its locality on a warm summers day.

The statues although historical have become a bore over the years, the Sq does need new pzaz a renewed prespective and focal piont in my view.

Something to show the guests while sipping a 'laite.

[maccoinnich]

Congestion squared


Neil Baxter branded George Square as 'a massive roundabout'


by Iain Lundy

IT'S the jewel in Glasgow city centre's crown. George Square, overlooked by the architectural beauty of the City Chambers, is a civic focal point.

Events are held there throughout the year, including the Hogmanay celebrations and the Christmas lights switch-on.

And it's the gateway to Glasgow for thousands of rail travellers every day who arrive at Queen Street Station.

But the square is not immune from the traffic problems which plague much of the city centre.

Three years ago urban design expert Neil Baxter described George Square as a "massive roundabout".

Mr Baxter, secretary of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, said that unless traffic was reorganised, the area would never achieve its full potential.

One possible solution he suggested was cutting off two sides of the square to vehicles.

Now city council officials have listed George Square and its surrounding streets on their list of "hotspots" where traffic flow is so bad they need urgent attention.

....continues at the Evening Times. One of the comments is surprisingly intelligent for the ET boards - if they only reopened Cathedral Street over Queen Street station they'd do a lot to solve the traffic problems at George Square.

Also... worth renaming the thread? Alan D certainly had a style, but it's a fairly cryptic style to the uninitiated, and he's been gone some time now.

[Gap74]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

One of the comments is surprisingly intelligent for the ET boards - if they only reopened Cathedral Street over Queen Street station they'd do a lot to solve the traffic problems at George Square.

Well that's because the person who posted it was supremely intelligent... ;-)

Curious to see Neil Baxter is an urban design expert this week - what a versatile chap he is!

[belle]

stop me from making a smutty remark about Baxter...

[RM6721]

wrong thread

[Rab2k]

Episode 2 of rebuilding Our Past features some stunning chip shop tiles produced in Glasgow by James Duncan who operated from 1865 to about 1965.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...ast_Episode_2/

[indiekid]

Let's hope these aren't empty words:

Gordon Matheson
Labour Leader of Glasgow City Council

George Square holds such a significant place in the history of the city.

As a public space it’s much loved and iconic. It is the focal point for the whole city at Christmas celebrations, with the big wheel, at Remembrance Day.

I can give a clear commitment that Labour will revamp and completely refurbish George Square. This will ensure that we have a public space fit for the 21st century

It’s vital that the Council continues to invest in George Square and the surrounding area. That’s why I’m delighted that Labour has secured further investment for the redevelopment of the city centre and the Buchanan Street area.


Councillor Allison Hunter
Leader of the SNP Group, Glasgow City Council
Scottish National Party Councillor for Govan Ward

George Square is Glasgow’s heart, for so many rail visitors the first sight they have of our great city and the place where Glaswegians celebrate major events such as Christmas and Hogmanay. But George Square does not adequately meet the needs of Glaswegians as it is currently configured.

The SNP Group does not favour the current arrangement, where the majority of George Square is laid to red tarmac, and is uncomfortable with the regular use of the Square for large scale events, rather than as a place for Glaswegians to relax and enjoy the space.

With over 90 parks and formal gardens, Glasgow really is the dear green place. Glaswegians are passionately attached to their local green spaces. The people of Glasgow are the true owners of our parks and gardens and we will welcome their views on how they are managed and protected. George Square is no different in this regard and we shall open the future of George Square up to consultation, so that the people of Glasgow can decide on the future direction of their premier city square.

We will invite comments and opinions on such issues as:

· the future traffic management plan for George Square – as part of a wider examination across the city centre;
· the type, scale and purpose of events held in George Square; and,
· the type of layout applied to George Square.

We will consider issues beyond the broad scope of these points and will publish the findings for further consideration before any decisions are made on Glasgow’s premier public space.

With George Square included as part of the recently approved Tax Increment Finance pilot for Glasgow this is an ideal opportunity for the Council to assess the mood of the Glaswegians and to act in their interests.

http://www.restoregeorgesquare.com/g...george-square/

Also 2000th post

[Ultima]

Originally Posted by indiekid

Labour have had control of George Square for 50 years and it has gotten worse with every passing year. What bullshit that they are suddenly going to change it now. The SNP's mention of "traffic management" for the rest of Glasgow hints towards their plans for pedestrianisation I suspect.

Also, from that website, my jaw dropped when Alex Glass, the (SHOCK) Glasgow Labour councillor states that "Oh and just for the record there is not masses of money made from the events that take place and the Council put more money into them than they get in return". They spend more than they get in return?!? WHAT!?!?!?!?!? For the shit that clogs up George Square that is astounding.

[Gommsta]

Either way, it seems that something will be getting done with George Square.

Fantastic news. Start tomorrow!

[Glasgow 2097]

GCC openly acknowledging that George Square isn't a world-class public space? Gadzooks.

[Xtreminal]

George Square needs more events as well as I think something could've been done to put there some landmark as for most of the year is empty

[Due East]

Originally Posted by Xtreminal

George Square needs more events as well as I think something could've been done to put there some landmark as for most of the year is empty

Nah, I personally like the idea of the square being for the people. Not an array of tacky marketing opportunities stuffing x, y, z product down your throat when you want to enjoy your lunch. Restore it to it's Victorian splendour.

I think the space for events is definitely the St Enochs wasteland. That could be a great inner city park that caters to events.

[Glasgow 2097]

Originally Posted by Due East

I think the space for events is definitely the St Enochs wasteland. That could be a great inner city park that caters to events.

Well, that was the idea behind this...



... before the redevelopment delivered nothing of the sort, of course.

I'd restore George Square to this...



... and use another space for large-scale public events. Or build a new one from scratch - we're not exactly short of derelict land in and around the city centre.

[gme]

Originally Posted by Glasgow 2097

I'd restore George Square to this...

What was the building on the left, Glasgow 2097 (should you be old enough to remember!)?

[Glasgow 2097]

Originally Posted by gme

What was the building on the left, Glasgow 2097 (should you be old enough to remember!)?

It was originally erected in the Square in 1957 as a temporary X-ray unit for tuberculosis screenings (link) before being converted into Glasgow's first tourist information pavilion. It was removed in the early 1980s. I'm too young to remember it ever being there.

[Rab2k]

Originally Posted by Glasgow 2097

It was originally erected in the Square in 1957 as a temporary X-ray unit for tuberculosis screenings (link) before being converted into Glasgow's first tourist information pavilion. It was removed in the early 1980s. I'm too young to remember it ever being there.

I remember it well as an information 'pavilion' - it had all the charm of a portacabin. It was replaced by the existing George Square information centre in the 1980s.

[RapidTaco]

It's been mentioned before but once demolition of the Selfridges site happens, that would be a great space for city events and would increase footfall in the Merchant City

[Squirrelking]

Originally Posted by Due East

Nah, I personally like the idea of the square being for the people. Not an array of tacky marketing opportunities stuffing x, y, z product down your throat when you want to enjoy your lunch. Restore it to it's Victorian splendour.

I think the space for events is definitely the St Enochs wasteland. That could be a great inner city park that caters to events.

Was George Square not a private garden in the 19thC?

St Enochs is too tiny now to do anything with, those steps and crap have swallowed the whole lot up. The back car park at King Street though...

[RapidTaco]

Originally Posted by Squirrelking

Was George Square not a private garden in the 19thC?

St Enochs is too tiny now to do anything with, those steps and crap have swallowed the whole lot up. The back car park at King Street though...

The back car park at King Street! Genius idea, let's do it!

[Due East]

Originally Posted by Squirrelking

Was George Square not a private garden in the 19thC?

St Enochs is too tiny now to do anything with, those steps and crap have swallowed the whole lot up. The back car park at King Street though...

Yeah, that was what I meant. They really need to do something with this carpark. I think this could be (at least) temporarily turned into a nice public space that could hold events.

I'd put this site in my top 5 list of spaces i think need urgently seen to.