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Alternate George Square survey launched

October 15 2012

Alternate George Square survey launched
With the launch of Glasgow City Council’s official survey into the future of George Square for business interests Urban Realm is launching an alternative hunt for ideas, one that isn’t predicated on turning the set-piece public space into an events venue.

The open ideas survey aims to give an airing to untapped knowledge going wanting and is being run in collaboration with Restore George Square, a campaign group seeking to make the council think twice before turning the square into a permanent ‘circus’ complete with ‘marquees and portaloos’.

In a statement the group said: “One of the most frustrating things about the council's approach to this has been that since 1998 they have been transforming the space from public space to private events space without ever informing the electorate, let alone asking their opinion.

“Instead we're set to get an illusion of choice with a few of the hand-picked competition entries resulting from the narrow brief that the public had little or no input in. So it would be good if the thrust of the questionnaire could be about the use of the square as a public greenspace/park/meeting place etc or a large-scale commercial events space.”

To take part in the survey simply click on the link and give five minutes of your time to answer the questions. The results will inform a comprehensive look at the Square in the December issue of Urban Realm.

5 Comments

brian
#1 Posted by brian on 15 Oct 2012 at 19:28 PM
I always thought the Royal Doulton fountain should have bee centrpiece in the square.and wrote to the council in 80 s.their answer was.it wouldnt blend in to surrounding buildings! Now look what council are approving on queen st opposite.Goma!
L. Fraser
#2 Posted by L. Fraser on 18 Oct 2012 at 11:27 AM
The council wants to spend money on this yet they are slashing to the bone school budgets. Would the money not be better spent on the education of children?
Mike Marwick
#3 Posted by Mike Marwick on 14 Dec 2012 at 12:36 PM
It is so sad to see Glasgow's George Square losing (even more) its identity. Clearly those in power don't value their heritage. Sad. Short term thinking with long term consequences.
BRYAN OWEN
#4 Posted by BRYAN OWEN on 3 Jan 2013 at 12:17 PM
George Square is the heart of the city - a place for sitting down, for Christmas and New Year fun, for political and social protests. It is not for sale to the highest bidder. We need to restore the balance between effectively renting off assets and meeting the needs of the people for a space of their own. The Council's proposals are ill-thought out but is there enough passion to protect the square?
David Jago
#5 Posted by David Jago on 10 Jan 2013 at 14:38 PM
It has all been done in secrecy, and with the minimum time possible for feedback. Still, I was at the Lighthouse this morning, and there were a lot of people looking at the schemes. Hopefully, there is still time for genuine input from the public. More greenery, respect for the statues (and in particular for the Scott column that is designed to be a focal point for the square), and NO water-features (imagine what will happen to them on a Saturday night!).

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