Smaller neighbourhoods such as Sandyford and Overnewton have also been absorbed into what is a continuous area of fairly dense urban development with little to distinguish them other than in the names of some local amenities,[2][3] the same issue for Kelvinhaugh in relation to the more prominent Finnieston and Yorkhill.

An area of flat land (this being the meaning of haugh, in contrast to the neighbouring Yorkhill which was on high ground) to the east of the mouth of the River Kelvin,[4] Kelvinhaugh originally developed in the 19th century in connection with Glasgow's industries of shipbuilding and trading.

The resulting gap sites in the vicinity included the large expanse of the Queen's Dock,[11] which was filled in and became the SEC Centre in the mid-1980s, with the Clyde Auditorium being added in the mid to late 1990s and the SSE Hydro following in the early 2010s.

[13][14] At the same time, due to the proximity of the University of Glasgow and rising prices of student accommodation in traditional areas such as Kelvinbridge, Hillhead and Dowanhill, much of the vacant land in Kelvinhaugh was developed as modern student accommodation,[15][16] although locals have noted that, as in other districts undergoing similar rapid change such as Partick,[17] the increase in population has not led to a noticeable growth in community identity, since so many of the residents live there temporarily and focus most of their attentions on the University institutions, while the main thoroughfares became dirtier and harder to drive and park in.

[28] On the opposite side of the expressway (accessible via a pedestrian/cycle bridge), in 2017 the landmark pumphouse which once controlled entry to the Queen's Dock, and then served as a visitor attraction for Glasgow's maritime heritage featuring the Glenlee (ship),[29] was converted into a new Clydeside distillery.