By Shahid Ali, planning and development partner at Ryden
GLASGOW has always been a city that evolves. From its industrial roots to its cultural renaissance, it has repeatedly adapted to new economic realities while retaining a strong sense of identity. As the future of the city centre comes into sharper focus, co-living; a form of professionally managed rental housing with shared amenities, has the potential to play a defining role in the next phase of urban regeneration. It is likely to be a hot topic this week at UKREiiF, the UK’s leading real estate and infrastructure investment forum.
There are strong foundations already in place. A key factor underpinning investor confidence is Glasgow’s bespoke co-living planning policy. As the first of its kind in Scotland, it provides clarity on what is required for successful development, something that investors and developers value highly. At a time when capital is mobile and competition between cities is intense, a transparent and supportive planning framework can be a decisive advantage.
This policy advantage sits alongside Glasgow City Council’s ambition to double the city centre population to 40,000 by 2035 through its City Centre Living Strategy. That is a bold and necessary target. Like many cities, Glasgow has seen significant changes in how its centre is used. The traditional reliance on office workers has shifted, and parts of the city can feel underutilised, especially in the evenings. Increasing the residential population is essential to creating a more vibrant, resilient, ’24-hour’ city.
Co-living can play a central role in achieving that vision. Typically delivered through new-build developments, often tall buildings of between 200 and 450 units, but co-living schemes can also present opportunities to repurpose existing structures, including listed buildings where façades and key architectural features can be retained. As developers and advisers we are custodians of the city and have responsibility to help balance the need for growth and embracing a changing skyline, with the preservation of the heritage and character that make Glasgow unique. This approach aligns with both sustainability goals and the need to protect Glasgow’s built heritage.
Co-living developments are designed to foster community, offering high-quality shared amenities such as gyms, cinema rooms, podcast studios and flexible workspaces. In many ways, they create neighbourhoods within buildings and unlock regeneration and wider economic benefits for the surrounding businesses and amenities. For residents, this provides a lifestyle and a place to live.
Importantly, co-living responds to a clear gap in Glasgow’s housing market. There is currently limited availability of private homes for sale in the city centre, while parts of the student accommodation sector are experiencing increased pressures due to changing patterns in student behaviour and government policy. Co-living offers a viable and flexible alternative, appealing to a wide demographic, from young professionals and graduates to families and downsizers seeking a more urban lifestyle.
High-quality, professionally managed accommodation like co-living presents an opportunity to retain talent. Glasgow and Scotland have long been successful in attracting students and retaining that skilled workforce after graduation but for them to also live in the city, it would unlock more economic growth potential.
Ryden’s planning team is currently advising on six live co-living proposals within Glasgow city centre alone, reflecting the growing momentum in this sector. There is a strong pipeline of investors ready to enter the Scottish market, encouraged by improved clarity around rent controls and a broader sense of political support for this style of residential development.
However, this opportunity should not be taken for granted. Other UK cities such as Birmingham and Nottingham are actively competing for the same investment while London and Manchester are already established in this market. If Scotland does not move decisively, capital will simply be deployed elsewhere. Glasgow has positioned itself ahead of the curve, but there is a clear need for other cities, including Edinburgh, to provide similar policy certainty if they are to remain competitive.
Ultimately, co-living is not a silver bullet, but it is a vital part of the solution. It can help address housing shortages, support economic growth, and bring new life into underused parts of the city centre.
Engaging early offers not only the opportunity to invest, but also to help shape how this model evolves in Scotland. Glasgow has the foundations, the ambition and the policy framework to lead the way so let’s seize that opportunity.
