Significant changes are on the horizon for Glasgow's skyline following the agreement of a new policy on the design of tall buildings.

The "Tall Buildings Design Guide for Glasgow" marks a departure from previous decades where building heights were often capped, aiming to foster a more vibrant and densely populated city centre akin to those found in major European cities.

The new guidance explicitly identifies areas within the city centre, including Charing Cross, Anderston Quay, Trongate, and Cowcaddens, where the council will support the development of skyscrapers. It also sets clear expectations regarding build quality, design, and aesthetics, while encouraging mixed-use developments that incorporate street-level retail and leisure facilities.

Glasgow City Council views this policy as a crucial step towards increasing the city centre's population density, which has been identified as a barrier to growth and productivity in the UK. The council asserts that Glasgow is uniquely positioned among Scottish cities to build upwards, and the new guidance is expected to reshape the city's visual identity.


The development of the guidance was informed by extensive consultation, including sessions with architects, designers, developers, and amenity organisations, as well as a public consultation that garnered over 270 responses. The experience of other similarly-sized European cities and evolving development priorities in the UK and Europe also played a significant role in shaping the final document. The detailed guidance, including background analysis and technical specifications, is available online.

The design guidance will now be presented to the council's City Administration Committee for final approval.

Councillor Ruairi Kelly, Convener for Development and Land Use at Glasgow City Council, expressed optimism about the policy's impact: "Tall buildings will play a significant role in our ambition to grow the city centre population and encouraging major construction projects will be a boost for the local economy and employment. Having clear parameters of what we will support, and where, will give clarity to residents and assurances to those who wish to invest and develop in our city. Glasgow is very much open for business, and if we want to see a thriving city then we need to build it."