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Glasgow's 1960s: From Victorian Tenements to Modernist Tower Blocks

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  Published in Science and Technology on Sunday, December 7th 2025 at 1:24 GMT by The Scotsman

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Glasgow’s 1960s: A City in Transition – What Old Photographs Reveal

The 1960s were a pivotal decade for Glasgow, a period when the city’s industrial heyday was winding down and a new, modernist vision was taking hold. A recent article in The Scotsman uses a collection of archival photographs to trace this transformation, offering a visual narrative that goes far beyond the headlines of the time. The piece highlights how the city’s streets, buildings, and even its social fabric were reshaped by a series of ambitious, often controversial, redevelopment projects. Here’s what the images—and the article’s commentary—tell us about Glasgow in the 1960s, and how those changes continue to shape the city today.

1. The Pre‑Modernist Landscape

The photographs at the front of the article juxtapose 1960s street scenes with their contemporary counterparts, illustrating the dramatic loss of traditional tenement housing and the emergence of high‑rise tower blocks. In one shot, a narrow lane in the East End—once bustling with shopkeepers, markets, and the unmistakable hum of a close‑knit community—was lined with modest, sandstone facades, small balconies, and winding alleys. The accompanying caption explains that these “tight, close‑quartered living spaces, though cramped, fostered a strong sense of communal identity.”

The article notes that the city’s Victorian and Edwardian architecture dominated the skyline, with iconic buildings such as the Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the Townhead Market square. These structures, the article argues, represented a city that had “grown organically around its shipyards and coalfields, its streets patterned by the rhythms of working‑class life.”

2. Modernist Planning Comes to the Forefront

The 1960s ushered in a wave of modernist urban planning that had sweeping implications. The Scotsman’s article links to a detailed piece on the “Glasgow City Development Plan of 1966,” which advocated for the demolition of “dilapidated tenements” in favour of “high‑rise housing” and new civic centres. The article underscores the role of architect William Holford, who, as the article notes, championed the “slab‑block” aesthetic that became synonymous with 1960s Glasgow.

The accompanying photographs of the West End show the construction of the new City Square, now home to the City Chambers and the Glasgow City Hall. The article points out that the square’s design—characterised by glass façades and open public space—was intended to “signal a forward‑thinking metropolis.” Yet, as the article suggests, many residents felt that the new design was “an affront to the city’s historic character.”

3. Transport Infrastructure: The M8 Motorway and the “New City”

A key driver of the city’s transformation was the introduction of the M8 motorway, which the article connects to a separate feature on the “impact of road networks on Glasgow’s geography.” The images of the motorway cutting through the south side of the city show the dramatic re‑routing of traffic and the isolation of former residential districts. In the 1960s photographs, the old street patterns are visibly disrupted by the wide, concrete lanes of the M8, a visual testament to the era’s “priority on vehicular mobility over pedestrian comfort.”

The article also discusses the “New City”—the term used to describe the new civic hub that emerged in the 1960s, including the Glasgow Central Station and the “Central Library” (now the Mitchell Library). In a side‑by‑side comparison, the photographs illustrate how a once neglected area was turned into a gleaming showcase of modern design, with sleek glass facades and wide boulevards. While the article praises the new development’s “ambitious scale,” it also points out that the project “left a legacy of disconnection between new and old city areas.”

4. Social Change and Cultural Memory

The Scotsman article is not merely a visual history; it includes reflections from people who lived through the changes. In the accompanying interview, a former shopkeeper in the South Side recalls how the demolition of the tenement block “killed the sense of community that had existed for decades.” He explains that “when the people moved into the tower blocks, they were forced to confront a new way of living, with fewer neighbours and more isolation.”

The article links to a cultural‑history piece on the “Glasgow art scene of the 1960s,” which highlights how the shift in the city’s physical landscape spurred a new wave of artistic expression. Artists such as Stanley Cursiter and Barbara Neath used the stark contrast between the old and the new to create powerful commentary on urban decay and renewal. The photographs of abandoned industrial sites, juxtaposed with the new glass towers, capture this tension.

5. Legacy and Contemporary Debate

In its final section, the article turns to the present day. It links to a recent feature on “Glasgow’s ongoing redevelopment,” exploring the tension between preserving heritage and embracing new design. The photographs of the 1960s tower blocks now show how some have been repurposed into community spaces, while others remain empty. The article questions whether the “modernist ambition” that defined the 1960s still holds relevance, noting that many former residents now advocate for the restoration of lost historical architecture.

The Scotsman article concludes by reflecting on the broader narrative that old photographs bring to light. It asserts that the 1960s were “a moment of crisis and opportunity,” and that the city’s current identity is a palimpsest of these historic decisions. It invites readers to consider how the past continues to influence Glasgow’s future, urging a balanced approach that respects heritage while embracing innovation.

Key Takeaways

1. Transformation of the Urban Fabric – The 1960s marked a radical shift from Victorian tenements to high‑rise tower blocks and modern civic centres.
2. Modernist Planning and Infrastructure – Projects such as the M8 motorway and the New City redefined Glasgow’s geography and transport priorities.
3. Social Impact – The demolition of close‑knit neighbourhoods disrupted community life and prompted new cultural expressions.
4. Continuing Debate – Contemporary Glasgow grapples with balancing heritage preservation against modern development.

By pairing archival photographs with contextual analysis, the article provides a nuanced view of Glasgow’s 1960s—a decade that, while controversial, laid the foundation for the city’s modern identity. It reminds us that cities are living tapestries, and that understanding the past is essential to shaping a future that honors both history and progress.