Development 'Raping' Riverfront In Glasgow

Development along the riverside in Glasgow, Scotland, is being described as "rape" by two of the country's leading architects. They blame the city's planning policies for encouraging the destruction.

1 minute read

November 3, 2007, 11:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


"Two of Scotland's leading architects have claimed that Glasgow's riverside is being 'raped' by developers and that the city's planning policy is still destroying its built heritage."

"Andy Macmillan and Isi Metz-stein, who designed the controversial St Peter's Seminary in Cardross and are credited with influencing modern architecture, claimed that 'short-term' policies were driving the city's development."

"However, a spokesman for the council defended the city's planning policy: 'Glasgow is attracting architects who are universally admired to work on fantastic projects such as the Riverside Museum and the National Arena at the SECC, and the redevelopment of the Clyde has been key to the transformation in the city's economic fortunes.'"

"'Anyone who doubts that Glasgow has been transformed for the better over the past decade and a half, at least in part due to good city planning, should be aware that the city has received many awards and nominations from planning and design organisations for their work over the past few years.'"

Friday, November 2, 2007 in The Scotsman

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

5 hours ago - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

6 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

7 hours ago - Cities Today