Actually existing neoliberalism in Glasgow: the case of Buchanan Galleries

A number of scholars have drawn attention to neoliberalism to describe and theorize the ongoing deconstruction and reconstruction of urban space. While this has widened the interest in neoliberalism, such discussions have also deepened its problematic through a number of conceptual variations – including neoliberal, neoliberalized and neoliberalization. This paper will focus on one such variation in actually existing neoliberalism to emphasize the contentious and volatile nature of retailing in the in the west of Scotland. As part of Glasgow's retail-led regeneration, the concepts of ‘path dependency’ and ‘creative destruction’ are used to give a focus to the Buchanan Galleries case study. It is shown that neoliberalism's demand for more space has served to further intensify intra-regional competition between Glasgow and its surrounding hinterland. In conclusion, I then offer some critical reflections for future research.