Scotland’s city centres are going through challenging times. They know things must change, but all are on a path of figuring out what that looks like.
You can see it in Glasgow, where George Square is now behind hoardings for its long-awaited revamp. Likewise in Aberdeen, where a £50m beach transformation aims to lure visitors and boost pride amongst locals. You can also certainly hear it loudly in Edinburgh, where local community councils have branded Princes Street an “embarrassment.”
But what links them all? Years of inactivity, public frustration, and a scramble to find new meaning for our urban spaces.
The George Square redesign is a perfect example. For years, Glaswegians have called for the square to reflect the pride and character of the city, as it is the anchor that the entire city pivots around and is often a first stop for visitors.
The big plan is now to get a raised lawn, sheltered seating, feature lighting and informal play areas. There’s genuine potential here, but the square will be fenced off for months, the Christmas lights switch-on has been scrapped, and the works will disrupt the square’s place in city life until 2027. It’s a long wait.
Still, at least it’s happening. That’s more than you can say for Princes Street, where decades of retail decline and hands-off planning have left one of Europe’s most iconic city centre streets looking tired and lost.
A so-called “masterplan” has been published, but three community councils have torn it apart. They say it’s vague, lacks ambition, and fails to offer a serious future vision. What’s more, they’re right. The plan is heavy on buzzwords such as “green spaces”, “pedestrian zones”, “access upgrades”, but light on purpose and imagination.
What is Princes Street for? Is it a shopping hub, a cultural promenade, a tourist draw, or all of the above? Right now, I’m not sure it satisfies any of these categories.
Meanwhile, in Aberdeen, the beach is the battleground. Drainage is done, but the roads are closed, and the diggers are in. The transformation includes an amphitheatre, a skate park and new public routes. It’s a little bolder, and another test of whether cities can rebrand public space without overpromising and underdelivering.
A city beach won’t solve Aberdeen’s wider problems, but if it’s well-maintained, safe and actually used by locals, it could be a cornerstone for a revitalised city centre that currently lacks direction. Unfortunately though, I don’t have enough column inches to discuss Union Street and its troubles.
There’s a temptation among planners and councils to solve decline with design. If the paving is nice enough, the thinking goes, people will come. This isn’t Field of Dreams. Cities need life. They need reasons to be there. Offices are emptier. Retail has migrated online. And if the alternative is a dead zone of vape shops, betting stores and fast-food outlets, then no amount of feature lighting will fix that.
We need a stronger, bolder strategy for our urban centres. Not just masterplans, but leadership. Not just pedestrian zones, but policies that bring meaningful activity to the heart of our cities. What about creative hubs in underused buildings? Flexible licensing to allow food and drink traders to take over empty shopfronts? Support for culture and community projects that draw people into town regularly? Or mixed-use developments that put homes back in the city centre where people actually live, not just shop?
Scotland has no shortage of city centre real estate, but perhaps we are short on vision. Local authorities aren’t acting fast or ambitiously enough. We can’t consult our way out of crisis. It’s time to experiment. Pilot. Reimagine.
Cities won’t be saved by plans alone. They’ll be saved by people: by footfall, by joy, by bustle. If you have an idea that might bring some life to your town or city centre then shout about it. Talk to friends, family and councillors. Let’s give people a reason to come back.
Securing Heritage Is Good Business
The UK Government has announced the creation of a nationwide inventory of living heritage, and nominations will open this summer for traditions which should be included.
The inventory aims to start a national conversation about valued crafts, customs and celebrations, while raising awareness to help protect them for future generations.
I’m sure many will be thinking that the government should be focused on the important issues facing businesses and individuals during the cost of living crisis – but hear me out on why I think it’s a good idea.
When I read this in the news last week, the first thing that sprung to mind was the protected geographical indication (PGI) status of some of Scotland’s best loved produce such as Stornoway black pudding, Ayrshire potatoes, Scotch beef and Lamb and Scottish salmon.
PGI status helps identify authentic produce, protects producers from imitation, and promotes the product’s unique qualities.
The new inventory of living heritage sounds like a cultural version of PGI, protecting and preserving some of our renowned events and traditions which are unique to specific parts of the UK. Examples that might make the list include Scotland’s Hogmanay, Gloucestershire’s cheese rolling competition, and heritage crafts such as tartan weaving and carving Welsh love spoons.
Many of these examples aren’t just nostalgic memories, they are a big source of revenue for local businesses and a huge tourism draw. It makes sense that we should be protecting these valuable assets, just as we do with our produce.
It Made Me Laugh: A Little Boost for Pubs
Artist Keith Crawley is celebrating Edinburgh’s pubs by creating miniature versions of them, including the iconic Greyfriars Bobby’s Bar complete with an even smaller version of the statue of Greyfriars Bobby.
Just last week it was announced that a Lego replica of the Forth Rail Bridge will be coming to Edinburgh next month as part of the Edinbrick charity model show.
And a few years ago another Scottish artist, Karen Bonella, made mini versions of some of Glasgow’s music venues including the Barrowlands.
I’m not sure what it is about a miniature that the nation loves so much, but it just goes to show that some ideas always capture attention. It might even give these pubs a boost in visitors by reminding people of all the fantastic venues in Edinburgh.
It Made Me Cry: Clune Park’s Slow Demolition
Work has finally begun to demolish a third of Clune Park housing estate in Port Glasgow. The estate is often dubbed ‘Scotland’s Chernobyl’, with the once thriving community created for shipyard workers having been left to go to ruin since the decline of the industry, and just a handful of residents remain.
While a positive step, I despair at the time it is taking to regenerate the area, particularly with our country in the midst of a housing crisis.
The plan is to turn the space into affordable homes, but the council still needs to track down and buy out 100 private landlords before this will come to fruition. Hopefully this can be done quickly.
