Who makes Glasgow? The people or the developers?

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Join us for a walking tour of the city centre to explore Glasgow's urban past, present and future in a way you have not seen before!

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As we walk though the city centre, we will learn about:

• the financialisation of our university buildings 

• the ownership behind 'luxury' student flat developments 

• the economy of 'office space' and Glasgow's International Financial Services District

• the politics surrouding the building of the M8 motorway

• how 'net zero' policies reshape streets clogged up with cars.
   

As developers continue to make increasing demands on the city to extract greater profit, creating what David Harvey calls “spatial fixes” for capital, communities continue to be encroached upon and the needs of residents ignored or denied. But in the midst of all of this, we will also see on the tour how new spaces for change are developing, ones in which our “right to the city” is asserted.

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The tour will begin in front of Glasgow Cathedral, and end in the Finneston area of Glasgow. Participants may also be interested in attending the event that immediately follows on from this, Mapping Glasgow's Urban Centre.

 

The tour is led by lecturer, urban geographer and PEN Scotland organiser Don MacKeen, and is part of Glasgow's May Day 2025 celebrations.

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Please note: this is a walking tour through Glasgow city centre. The tour will last approximately 90 minutes. Please contact us at penscotland@gmail.com if you have any mobility issues or concerns that may prevent you from being able to participate in this event.​​