CAIRO has the pyramids, Venice has the Grand Canal and Glasgow has the High Street - which should help the city rank among the world's best heritage sites.

CAIRO has the pyramids, Venice has the Grand Canal and Glasgow has the High Street - which should help the city rank among the world's best heritage sites.

Architecture expert Neil Baxter says Glasgow deserves to be considered alongside the Egyptian and Italian tourist destinations - amid fears Edinburgh could lose its protected status.

Mr Baxter, secretary of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland wants Glasgow to join the 878 cities and structures around the world currently on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation world heritage list.

They include the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal, Rome, Prague, the banks of the Seine in Paris and the Grand Canyon.

Mr Baxter believes Glasgow should also be included on the list because of its unique history.

He said: "The Unesco world heritage list varies from individual buildings up to large areas of cities. If you look at each of these you don't need to be an expert to see why they are world heritage sites.

"You also don't need Unesco to slap preservation orders on these cities because they will be preserved come what may.

"My view is we should start looking at heritage issues in a more thoughtful way and that Glasgow should be included on the list."

World heritage status recognises a building or area's special place in history, leads to more international kudos which boosts tourism and ensures it is protected Unesco rules state the government must consult it on any development in a heritage site before approval is granted.

Mr Baxter said: "Glasgow has a medieval history which is every bit as important as Edinburgh, Glasgow is an industrial site on a scale which way surpasses Edinburgh and Glasgow has world masters of architecture including Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

"Indeed, Glasgow is a fantastic Victorian city which has been described as the greatest Victorian city on the planet.

"It also has an industrial heritage on a scale which beggars belief.

"At peak, 20% of the world's ships were manufactured in Glasgow and 25% of the world's locomotives."

Mr Baxter insists the High Street is worthy of recognition alongside more famous thoroughfares around the world.

He said the High Street was the original main street of the city and a connection between the cathedral and the markets which clustered round the Trongate area.

Mr Baxter, the author of a book on Glasgow's medieval history, added: "I am calling for Glasgow to receive its due as a world site.

"In recent years we have seen a cultural renaissance which few cities can match and we have just been voted one of the top 10 cities in the world to visit by the Lonely Planet.

"Much as I love Edinburgh, Glasgow is an amazing, dynamic, constantly changing city that still has a huge amount of heritage from every era for over a millennia."

Scott Taylor, chief executive of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said city leaders should pay heed to Mr Baxter's call.

He added: "Neil Baxter is a renowned expert with a depth of knowledge and understanding of architecture and cities and his views carry enormous weight. Glasgow should sit up and take notice.

"His comments are well founded and certainly give us considerable food for thought.

"Glasgow has worked hard at preserving its heritage and its distinct architectural personality sets it apart from most run of the mill European cities.

Taj Mahal	Venice	Great Wall	Machu Picchu	Grand Canyon

"It has the most popular free tourist attraction in Scotland in the awesome Kelvingrove Art Gallery and the genius of Charles Rennie Mackintosh is undoubtedly one of Scotland's greatest jewels.

"Glasgow has a vibe and vibrancy which other European cities envy.

"It is not a museum city but has the greatest civic art collection in its museums."

City council leader Steven Purcell said: "I'm immensely proud of Glasgow's history, architecture, traditions and culture.

"It is rightly recognised around the world as a fantastic place for many different reasons and I am keen to ensure its future is as successful as its past."

Officials from Unesco are to make a four-day visit to Edinburgh to inspect controversial new buildings amid concerns over planning decision.