Major city's skyline set to be completely transformed into UK's 'mini New York'

The skyline of a major city is poised for transformation into a "mini New York" amid plans to boost the number of skyscrapers built. Glasgow already shares a similar grid layout with the Big Apple, but the similarities look set to continue after councillors unveiled new building regulations they hope will pave the way for more high rise developments in Scotland's largest city.

Currently, the tallest building in Glasgow is Buchanan Wharf in Tradeston, which rises 80 metres. It is also the tallest in Scotland. In the city's Tall Building Designs Guide, four parts of Glasgow have been earmarked for skyscraper developments. These are: Charing Cross, Anderston Quay, Trongate and Cowcaddens, according to The Herald.

Glasgow's council has described the city as an outlier when it comes to the height of its buildings compared to similar-sized cities in Europe.

City Chamber chiefs have described the tall buildings guide as a "significant" change from past decades when buildings were capped well below what might be expected in a city of Glasgow's size and "growing international profile".

They added: "Glasgow is unique among Scottish cities in having the scope to build upwards and, shaped by this Tall Buildings guidance, it is confidently expected the city skyline will change, building towards the kind of city centre population density that's commonplace in European cities - and the comparable lack of which is an acknowledged barrier to growth in the UK."

The guidance also looks to increase mixed-use developments, with developers encouraged to include ground floor retail and leisure facilities. Councillors on the City Administration Committee will vote on final approval.

Councillor Ruairi Kelly, convener for development and land use at Glasgow City Council, said: "Tall buildings will play a significant role in our ambition to grow the city centre population, and encouraging major construction projects will be a boost for the local economy and employment.

"Having clear parameters of what we will support, and where, will give clarity to residents and assurances to those who wish to invest and develop in our city.

"Glasgow is very much open for business, and if we want to see a thriving city, then we need to build it."

While Buchanan Wharf is the tallest building in Scotland, the tallest structure is the 127m Glasgow Tower at the Science Centre.

It has the distinction of being the tallest tower in the world where the whole structure is capable of rotating 360 degrees.

The Shard in London is the tallest building in the UK at 309.6m followed by 22 Bishopsgate, which stands 278.2m.

Outside London, the tallest building is Deansgate Square South Tower in Manchester, which measures 201 metres.