The pre-qualification process has now started, with shortlisted teams to be announced in November, and the publication of the full tender shortly after. It is expected that the approval of a selected design team will go to committee in January / February 2021, with the design team appointed in March 2021.

Funded by the Glasgow City Region City Deal, the redesign of George Square will require to take into account Glasgow’s hosting of major events in the coming years, such as the UEFA European Championships, COP 26 and the UCI Cycling World Championships, with construction work beginning shortly after the latter in the summer of 2023.

Alongside the development of a new design for George Square, Glasgow’s principal civic space, the George Square Area Strategy project will include the George Street and St Vincent Street Avenues and a new pedestrian link from Queen Street Station down to the Clyde, passing through the square, Hanover Street and Miller Street.

Prospective design teams will need to demonstrate “an awareness of, and skill in, reinterpreting the history of significant urban places and creating places fit for a confident 21st century city”.

The project will also look to develop a sustainable connection between George Square and Queen Street Station, delivering the necessary accessibility and servicing requirements with appropriate public transport and active travel facilities and infrastructure. The scope of works for the project will be established as the design process progresses, with detail to be developed through a further process of analysis and public engagement with a wide variety of key stakeholder groups.

During the work ahead, attention will be paid to the servicing of the neighbourhoods’ shops, businesses, residential developments, refuse collection facilities, and so on, with local access for residents being maintained.

In addition, the delivery of the George Square Area Strategy project will be monitored by a cross-party group which will review the project as it develops.

Councillor Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “The transformation of George Square is already underway and this project will help to redefine it as Glasgow’s principal public space and gathering place. It will make active travel and public transport more appealing, improve air quality and the local environment, and make this city neighbourhood not only more resilient and sustainable, but a more attractive place in which to live, work and visit.

“Selecting a design team for George Square and the surrounding Avenues and streets is an important milestone for the city and a key part of this project. The design can reflect the changes to the area that public engagement has told us what the people of Glasgow want, and ensure that it can take the opportunities - and meet the economic and environmental challenges - ahead of us, including an awareness of our history as a city and our identity.”

The £115 million Avenues programme in Glasgow City Centre is a Glasgow City Region City Deal project, funded by the Scottish and UK governments.