North Toryglen Green Infrastructure and Access Project
BwN Full Award
Award date: 6 May 2021
Location: Glasgow
Project Type: Residential, urban retrofit
Applicant: Clyde Gateway URC
BwN Assessor: RaeburnFarquharBowen
Key Stakeholders: Urban Roots, Glasgow City Council, Nature Scot, Sustrans and LUC
This 16-hectare, urban retrofit scheme in the City of Glasgow is an exemplar for how green infrastructure can be improved for the benefit of the local community and wildlife using the Building with Nature approach. North Toryglen is an area experiencing multiple deprivation and health inequalities, and this case study clearly demonstrates how the BwN Assessment process can be used in this context, improving the scheme’s design for high quality multifunctional green infrastructure on the site, particularly in relation to water management, habitat improvements and connectivity.
The scheme forms part of a wider initiative to regenerate this part of Glasgow, with North Toryglen being one of eight Transformational Regeneration Areas identified in the city, aimed at transforming vacant and derelict land into hew housing. The design responds to the needs and strengths of the local community, which were identified through a robust programme of community and stakeholder engagement with the help of Urban Roots, a community organisation based on the site.
The scheme will transform poor quality and previously neglected land into a mixed-use park, incorporating wetland habitats, play parks and gym equipment, a network of footpaths and cycle routes, a woodland educational facility, and many other significant wildlife and landscape enhancements. Cycle routes on site will link to the wider cycling network in Glasgow, enabling climate-positive active-travel within the city. The scheme also incorporates a Local Nature Reserve, the Malls Mire Woodland and includes proposals to enhance this area for people and wildlife.
The level of community engagement in the design of the project creates the potential for effective long-term management and maintenance, embedded with the local community, particularly due to the anticipated on-going activities organised by Urban Roots. We were particularly impressed by the partners commitment to the long-term stewardship of the site, with a firm commitment to a 10-year management and maintenance plan following completion. Further details of the management arrangements beyond this 10-year period will be sought at Building with Nature’s post construction check to ensure the longer-term stewardship for the site.
