Greater Easterhouse

Grantee: Glasgow City Council

What are we going to do?

The project will create new and improved open space through an integrated green and blue network in two focus areas – Cranhill/Ruchazie and Blairtummock which will create green finger connections to the 7 Lochs Wetland Area. The project will transform over 29ha of land within an area which has been identified as one of Scotland’s most socially and economically deprived areas. There will be a mix of habitats network creation including wildflower, wetland, woodland and grassland. The project will transform vacant and derelict sites into connected and accessible green spaces with surface water management ponds, channels and day-lighting of culverted burns.

The unusual population of water voles will be protected during the work, and have their habitat enhanced.

Where did the idea for the project come from?

The project emerged from a number of strategic documents and the main activities have been identified through the undertaking of an Integrated Green Infrastructure Study, completed in March 2016. This considered the topography, hydrology, urban structure, existing green and habitat networks and the needs and views of the local community (through previous engagement work undertaken and input from local stakeholders).

How communities have helped us develop our ideas

The project involved local communities in the development of the green infrastructure designs. This includes two workshops and update briefings through local network groups e.g. Thriving Places and Seven Loch's Wetland Park activities. In April and May 2017 Ice Cream Architecture ran a series of events to refine the outline designs.

To support this outcome the project organisations have developed partnership projects with The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) Scotland and RSPB. Both TCV and RSPB have established links with community groups, volunteers and schools in the operation areas, and this will be built upon.

Greater Easterhouse Project - Nature based solutions

How our project fits into the bigger picture

The surface water management in this project will fit into the Metropolitan Glasgow Strategic Drainage Partnership, along with its ‘sister’ project at Canal & North Gateway.

How will the project improve the local area?

Green Infrastructure project in Greater Easterhouse

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Duration

01:06

Patrick Keenan talks about the massive Green Infrastructure project carried out in Greater Easterhouse.

Within the Blairtummock/Westerwood area, the project will provide a high quality green/blue route, linking Easterhouse Train Station to the Town Centre, which will connect to the new visitor centre of the 7-Loch’s Wetland Park. By delivering the GI features it will allow the area to publicise itself as a high quality, green/sustainable neighbourhood with direct linking to the 7-Loch’s Wetland Area & build on existing connections, such as the direct train link to Edinburgh (from Easterhouse Train Station). In addition, by providing habitat improvements for biodiversity (including the burrowing water voles) it will help unlock development sites which will support public/private investment being injected in to the area and create local employment opportunities (through employability/community benefit clauses).

Within the Cranhill/Ruchazie Area, the green infrastructure will improve place attractiveness by addressing prominent vacant/derelict sites within the area which have a long term negative impact on the overall perception of the economic attractiveness to invest. In addition, the improvements to the existing public openspace will provide opportunities for the local schools/community groups to undertake volunteering and employability training, learning new environmental management/education skills. This will also help contribute to activities focused on getting local people not in work into employment.