Glasgow is a city of contradictions. It's proud and friendly, yet fiercely divided. It’s rich in culture but poor in cohesion. We need to explore the idea of reciprocity - or the lack of it - in Glasgow’s urban life. Who is giving to the city, and who is taking? Why do some communities thrive while others remain in limbo? And how do invisible barriers (cultural, economic and even psychological) shape who belongs and who benefits?

Metropolitan Glasgow population is 1.7million, the 4th largest in the UK, yet as a result oflocal and regional political boundary changes in the 1990s, the city centre has a population of only 28,000. Many of the buildings within the renowned 19th Century gridded centre lie empty and derelict, despite imagery about positive regeneration of city life, identity and culture that do little to address growing obsolescence.

Glasgow’s more affluent suburbs that had once been within a wider city council jurisdiction, use city centre services regularly without contributing to council tax income. This, along with short term policies from the often problematic Glasgow City Council GCC, has hollowed out the city centre over time, transforming the city centre into a poor, downbeat urban environment.

Whilst the ‘Golden Z’ style mile, the St.Enoch centre proposals, and other commerce led regeneration initiatives seem rigid and relentlessly wilful, can we visualise a different city where there is greater exchange between those who consider urban life important? What less visible forces can be harnessed to shape something more resilient and less short-term? And, if so, what do we need to activate this?

Speakers:

TBC

Tickets:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/negroni-talks-s17-invisible-city-tickets-1345801471429