The urge to rebuild (destroy and rebuild depending on your perspective) is strong and persistent in Glasgow. So what lies ahead?

The village buried underneath Central Station, located at what would become one of the city's major crossing points. Kevin Scott explores.

Dr Karen Mailley explores the Glasgow Society of Lady Artists and the spaces they occupied.

Overview

Fergus Sutherland looks at the Bruce Plan, a proposal to almost completely replace the city centre....

By the mid-20th century, Glasgow faced severe urban challenges. Rapid industrialization during the 19th century had created dense tenement housing, much of it overcrowded and lacking basic amenities. Large sections of the population lived in poor conditions, with high rates of disease and poverty.

In 1942, with the Second World War still raging around the globe, the city’s Master of Works, Robert Bruce, was tasked with reimagining the city and so what became known as the ‘Bruce Plan for Glasgow’ was published in 1945. Through the demolition of the historic city centre it set out an ultra-ambitious, ultra-modern vision to transform Glasgow, addressing overcrowding, industrial decline, and poor urban conditions. Although now a byword for misguided planning strategies in general, it had a lasting influence on the city’s development and set the scene for the remoulding of both the city and the surrounding region for decades to come.

One of the many public spirited citizens that have enriched the Collections held within Kelvingrove is William McInnes. Between 1910 and 1944 McInnes amassed a significant collection of French Impressionist, Glasgow Boy and Scottish Colourist paintings which he bequeathed to the City of Glasgow. In 1944 the bequest catapulted the French representation in the civic collections of Glasgow to major significance.

The rise and fall of the men who 'financed' Glasgow's growth, but at what a cost? Kevin Scott explores the past and considers the future.

From a river 15 inches deep in places at low tide, the Clyde made Glasgow the greatest port in Scotland, with 12 miles of docks and quays.

The largest town on the Clyde by the thirteenth century, Glasgow had ‘the Freedom of the River from Broomilaw to the Clochstane’ to the oceans and international trading. Even though it was only 15 inches deep in places at low tide. Glasgow became the greatest port in Scotland, with 12 miles of docks and quays, and the world centre of shipbuilding.

Travel though time, making the Clyde deep and useful, nourish invention, science, technology and education, start major shipping companies, engineering industries and shipbuilding of international renown. And regeneration when required.

With experience in building New Towns and the renewal of cities and economies, Graeme Smith writes and illustrates city life, growth and changes involving businesses, international trading, education and entertainment. His family has included sea captains, engineers and a marine superintendent.

This talk is held in conjunction with the Blythswood Festival.

Grame Smith reveals the history of Blythswood.

Graeme Smith on the making of Glasgow’s first New Town built on the historic Lands of Blythswood.

See and hear about the making of Glasgow’s first New Town built on the historic Lands of Blythswood. Up and over Blythswood Hill, creating all the streets west of a very new Buchanan Street.

Including the creation by weaver William Harley of its streets, first townhouses, vast pleasure gardens, first indoor public baths in Scotland and the first hygienic dairy in Europe. And calico printer James Scott’s expansion of Blythswood to include Bothwell Street and its links west following the Clyde.

With experience in building New Towns and the renewal of cities and economies, Graeme Smith writes and illustrates city life, growth and changes involving businesses, international trading, education and entertainment. He has helped campaigns for the retention and re-uses of important buildings from the formative years of the New Glasgow Society and the Scottish Georgian Society onwards.

This talk is in conjunction with the Blythswood Festival.

Historian Lorraine Murray unearths the dark histories of the dearly departed from the second city of the Empire.

The Annual ATS Gavin Stamp Lecture: Architecture and Urbanism in late Georgian Edinburgh: Thomas Hamilton and the Urban Picturesque

The 18th century creation of Bridgeton and the Calton signalled the start of Glasgow’s transition to an industrial city. Find out more.

An illustrated talk by Gordon Urquhart on the development of Partick from its earliest days as a medieval milling centre and bishopric retreat through to its formative years of heavy industry in the 19th century. The recent archaeological discoveries on the Bishop’s Castle site will also feature.

Gordon Urquhart is an historian, author and educator with forty years’ experience in Scotland’s heritage sector.

Architects design, but builders build. Meet John McIntyre, who constructed much of 'Greek' Thomson's work on the south side of the city.

An open discussion on The Alexander Thomson Society’s draft Business Case for the future of St Vincent Street Church.

A Bridgeton boy who went on to become one of Europe’s greatest piano virtuosi: Raymond Thomson tells of Frederic Lamond's life.

Edinburgh architect and author Roger Emmerson looks at the Scottish roots and expressions of Scottish architecture.

Tait’s Tower as a symbol of a potential glorious, modern space-age? Find out more about Glasgow's 1938 Empire Exhibition.

Gary Nisbet, a specialist in the sculpture that adorns Glasgow and its buildings, discusses recent discoveries during Glasgow850.

The largest civil engineering task in Scotland since the Antonine Wall, and the first sea-to-sea canal in the world. Find out more.

Tony Burton’s award-winning film uncovers the genius behind Glasgow’s extraordinary Victorian and Edwardian heritage of buildings.

Neil Baxter, historian (and earlier creator of Glasgow's 'City of Love Festival') considers love and Glasgow's links with St Valentine.

Dr Kevin Morrison looks at Glasgow’s iconic Grand Hotel, repurposed as an American Red Cross Club in World War Two.