Greek Thomson’s warnings remain relevant today
Topic of the week: regenerating our urban spaces I WELCOME David Hayman’s voice in the debate around Glasgow’s urban future with his warning about ignoring our cultural and architectural legacies (Scottish star of stage and screen David Hayman comes out fighting for ‘forgotten’ Greek Thomson).
Many lament the loss of Greek Thomson’s buildings and it is remarkable the retention of his Egyptian Halls on Union Street is still in dispute.
We would do well to heed his warnings within current and future approaches to urban regeneration, which were well summarised by Vicky Allan (The plan to reshape Glasgow as a world-beating metropolis, News, April 2). A vision that promotes a walkable city repopulated with greenery, people and a revitalised street culture is long overdue.
Arriving at this conclusion through a collective Glaswegian brainstorm and public engagement process is also welcome. This was woefully absent in past regeneration proposals such as the stalled plans to privatise the public space at the Buchanan Street steps with a commercial atrium. Full public involvement should also be sought regarding the application to demolish the Old College Bar. We must be careful of the erosion to our public realm when elevating commercial incentives above community interests and innate urban value. Duncan Chalmers Renfrew WHY is Glasgow’s infrastructure of such poor quality? In the city centre, the inhuman financial quarter was built despite planning intentions that say the right things about urban space.
Not long ago, I stood looking at Albert Bridge draped in “People Make Glasgow” banners. Something was wrong. I could count the number of people walking about on the fingers of one hand.
Why was office building permitted without small shop units on the ground floor? Why was an unnecessary dual carriageway built? Why aren’t basic active travel facilities in place?
Tradeston Bridge is meant to be used by cyclists – but there are no cycle-friendly facilities across the pavements of Broomielaw, no dedicated cycleway or dropped kerbs. There are only green cycle signals on crossings designed for pedestrians. They invite cyclists on to a pavement with no apparent legal way off. When challenged, Land and Environmental Services (LES) states that because Broomielaw is a core path and the bridge is a National Cycle Route, no facilities are needed. It seems LES does not want to provide adequate facilities for active travel.
Asking architects to propose the remodelling of Glasgow doesn’t address the problem of how to deliver quality infrastructure. A council public hearing into management of infrastructure delivery is needed. Organising as much would underlie a new administration’s intention to engage in meaningful city-wide public involvement in decision-making. Pat Toms Glasgow