Image influences the popularity of a place for living, working and investing. Good urban design influences image. The main elements of the City’s image date from the late Victorian era when Glasgow was a world leader in commercial and industrial development. Much of this heritage remains in its compact and densely developed urban form, particularly in the remaining areas of sandstone tenemental housing, villas and terraces, and in the City Centre with its grid iron street pattern and heritage of grand, richly ornamented, commercial buildings. The City’s undulating topography, River Clyde frontage, urban parks and the long established entry routes into the City also contribute to its image and interest. Contemporary developments have added to the visual interest of the City and there remains significant development opportunities around the City for good quality new residential, industry and business and other developments.

The Council seeks to reinforce and enhance the City’s positive attributes, build on its areas of strength and respect the distinctive identity of its districts.

1. The Council seeks to secure the highest possible quality of built environment that will enhance and promote a positive City image and create a strong ‘sense of place’. New development proposals and improvement measures (including building alterations and extensions) should respect and reinforce local character and identity, or seek to create a positive identity where none exists.

2. In responding to the site context, the design of new development and improvement measures shall take account of, and reinforce, the following criteria:

(a) the townscape characteristics and features of the surrounding area in terms of established street and spatial pattern, built form, building lines, scale and massing, elevation proportion and detailing, materials and landscape (see notes 1 and 2);

 

(b) listed buildings and conservation areas (see note 3);

 

(c) focal points/nodes, landmarks, and gateway locations;

(d) the patterns of activity, movement and circulation around and within the site and its relationship to existing and proposed transport infrastructure, including footpath/cycle networks;

 

(e) the relationship to the Green Network, e.g. parks, green space, river/burn/canal corridors, woodlands, tree lined streets/gardens; and

 

(f) the natural characteristics and topography of the site, water features, significant trees, woodland and landscape features, orientation, views into and out of the site and the skyline.

1. The existing character of areas subject to regeneration and development may change (e.g. Areas of Focus). Developers should consult the planning authority for advice and refer to any additional design guidance for these, or other, areas.

2. Developers are encouraged to prepare their development schemes adopting the approach highlighted in this policy and in policies DES 2: Urban Design and DES 3: Building Design and Materials. For certain schemes, additional justification may be required. Policy DES 4: Design Statement outlines the circumstances where this information will be appropriate.

3. As conservation area appraisals and town audits are published, the findings will be used as supplementary guidance in respect of determining development proposals.

4. The Council’s Urban Design Strategy provides the background and justification for the design policies and is summarised in the City Plan Technical Note: Built Environment.