Group toseek bold new ideas to transform city
A NEW high powered group is to look at ways of transforming the city centre to cement its role as one of the leading destinations in Europe.
The independent body, which will be known as the Connectivity Commission, will rethink the area as a destination for business, shopping and leisure.
The group will be spearheaded by renowned former government transport advisor professor David Begg and will include leaders from business, transport, academia and charities.
They will be asked to come up with bold new ideas to transform Scotland’s largest city, making it more attractive to visitors, businesses and local people.
Over the next year, the commission will explore challenges and opportunities including the city centre’s public realm, congestion and pollution levels and public transport use.
Commission members will include Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, the Scottish Council for Development and Industry, Transform Scotland, Glasgow University and the City Centre Retail Association.
City council leader Susan Aitken said: “The Glasgow Connectivity Commission has the cru- cial job of improving the city centre experience for all, which offers fantastic economic opportunity for the city.
“The remit is largely their own but we anticipate transformative proposals on making Glasgow city centre more attractive for visitors and an improved experience for business, leisure and retail.”
Mr Begg said one of the remits of the commission will be to have a transport network which contributes to a stronger economy, a healthier environment and social equality.
He added: “In order to achieve that we need to get more people onto public transport, walking and cycling, we need more quality pedestrian space and public realm to improve the retail environment and city centre experience and cleaner vehicles.
“We need to both arrest decline and improve Glasgow’s offer. The Greater Glasgow area has such a fantastic urban network but if you live in a community which is not on the network and doesn’t have a car they are pretty marginalised. That must be addressed.”
Stuart Patrick, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said the city centre is the engine house of the regional economy.
He added: “Glasgow Chamber of Commerce wants to see the city centre flourish with growing footfall, more jobs and increased business investment.”
The new commission was launched at the State of the City Economy conference, which is attended by 700 members of the business, government and academic sectors.
Other issues raised at a conference includes the council’s plan to commission research on the likely economic picture for Glasgow as a result of Brexit.