Key Facts
Greenspace Network
Despite being located at the centre of a large conurbation, greenspace in Glasgow accounts for over 20% of the City’s total land area. The Greenspace Network consists of 5 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, 7 Local Nature Reserves, 49 Local Sites and 46 City-wide Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation as well as parkland, amenity open space, countryside or ‘green belt’, all loosely connected by river valleys, transport and access corridors or routes that are often of landscape and wildlife importance.
Landscape Strategy
The landscape strategy recognises the importance of a network of green spaces and corridors connecting to the wider countryside. The City Plan provides both a framework for protecting and enhancing the city’s best landscapes and the opportunity to make new links through areas of regeneration and development. It designates 214 areas as Sites of Special Landscape Importance as well as many corridors of landscape importance. Five city landscapes have been recognised nationally in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes.
Outdoor Access
Reviewed during 2009, Glasgow’s Access Strategy takes account of new planning and transportation policies that recognise the importance of outdoor access for improved health and well-being, active travel and stronger communities. It provides the context for the Core Paths Plan which the Council intends to adopt in late 2009. This identifies the strategic access routes (core paths) that it expects to be accessible to a wide range of users, well maintained, signposted, promoted, free from obstruction and protected by the planning process. In developing outdoor access opportunities, the Council is advised by the Glasgow Access Forum comprised of representatives from user groups, land managers and statutory agencies. More information about outdoor access can be viewed here: Core Path Plan
Recreational Greenspaces
The distribution and size of Glasgow’s recreational greenspaces reflects the historical phases of the City’s development. They represent a considerable asset consisting of 5 city parks, 12 district parks, 74 local parks, 527 outdoor sports pitches, over 170 tennis courts and 160 bowling greens, 274 equipped outdoor children’s play areas, 27 allotment sites and hundreds of amenity open spaces including those for informal play and kick about use. The application of City Plan policy for new residential development will ensure that these facilities will be increased or improved in quality.
Cemeteries and Burial Grounds
The Council’s Bereavement Services is responsible for the management and maintenance of most of the cemeteries and burial grounds in the City. Some of the older cemeteries such as Glasgow Necropolis, close to Glasgow Cathedral, are sites of significant architectural and heritage importance. Many of those interred there were important citizens who played a key role in the life and history of the City. There are 33 cemeteries and burial grounds in the City and 4 crematoria (Linn and Daldowie, Cardonald and Maryhill).
Biodiversity
Biodiversity refers to all living things, from the smallest insect to the largest tree. The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 places a duty upon public bodies to further the cause of biodiversity in undertaking their functions. Glasgow City Council is working with 19 other partners to monitor, implement and review a Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) for the City. The LBAP was first published in 2001 and has been updated and/or reviewed on an annual basis. Action plans have been prepared for 14 habitats and 23 species and an Awareness Strategy has also been produced. Copies of these documents as well as Annual Monitoring Reports and Biodiversity Newsletters can be viewed at www.glasgow.gov.uk/biodiversity
Trees and Woodland
The City has around 1,600 hectares of woodland, 25% of which is ancient, long established or semi-natural. In addition, thousands of trees line streets or boulevards and are located within amenity open spaces or gardens. Trees reduce pollution, removing particulate matter from the atmosphere and absorb carbon dioxide (CO2), they deflect noise, provide windbreaks, are of great ecological/biodiversity value, add colour to the built environment, mitigate the impact of buildings, improve people’s health and increase the attractiveness of new and established housing areas.
Trees within Conservation Areas or covered by Tree Preservation Orders (TPO’s) are legally protected because they enhance the character, amenity or townscape of a location. In 2009, the City had 22 Conservation Areas and 82 TPO’s. Each year the Council deals with an average of 900 enquiries from members of the public concerning threats to trees or seeking advice on their care, removal or replacement. The Glasgow Woodland Unit has raised nearly £1.5 million, principally involving forestry commission grant aid, to deliver 9 woodland management projects accounting for about 20% of Glasgow’s woodlands. The unit seeks to increase local community and commercial involvement in projects offering a range of small business, employment, health, training, renewable energy and biodiversity benefits.
Current and Future Projects
Greening Spaces
In recognition of the blighting effect of the economic downturn the Council through its own initiatives and its participation in the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network Partnership is working with a range of agencies to improve environmental, social and economic wellbeing. This involves improving existing and creating new, or temporary, greenspaces ranging from play areas to allotments. Glasgow Greenspace is working with local communities to raise funds for and deliver new projects.
Recreational Greenspaces
The Council has an ongoing commitment to improving parks, open spaces and play areas across the city. Major park regeneration works have been carried out in Tollcross Park, Glasgow Green (including the restoration of the Doulton Fountain) and the Kibble Palace glasshouses in the Botanic Gardens. Several Glasgow parks have received the Best Park in Scotland award including Auchinlea Park (2005), Botanic Gardens (2006) and Tollcross Park (2008). Pollok Country Park was voted Britain’s Best Park in 2007 and was subsequently judged to be Europe’s Best Park in 2008.
City Woodland Initiative (CWI) and the Glasgow Woodland Unit (GWU)
During 2009 the CWI which involves Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) and others reviewed and updated Glasgow’s existing woodland management strategy and action plan. From 2009 FCS provided 3 years funding towards a post in the GWU aimed at progressing its woodfuel initiative. More information on the work of the CWI or GWU can be viewed at: http://www.glasgowwoodland.org.uk;
Biodiversity
The Council is continuing to undertake significant woodland management works throughout the city with the support of grant aid from Forestry Commission Scotland. Wild flower meadows will continue to be enhanced whilst wetland habitats and visitor facilities will be upgraded at both Hogganfield Park and Commonhead Moss Local Nature Reserves.
Flood Prevention and Land Drainage
The White Cart Water Flood Prevention Scheme - is being progressed by two main contracts. Contract 1, due for completion by mid 2010, is for the construction of three large flood water storage areas upstream of the City. By holding back large volumes of water within the White Cart Water catchment during a flood event, these storage areas will reduce the risk of flooding in the urban area. Contract 2, started in January 2009 and programmed for completion in 2011, involves the construction of 4.5 Km of flood defence walls and embankments along the White Cart Water and the Auldhouse Burn within the City.
The Glasgow Strategic Drainage Plan - continues to be developed in partnership with Scottish Water, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, South Lanarkshire Council and Scottish Enterprise Glasgow. It uses integrated surface water management (ISWM) to reduce flood risk, remove constraints on development, and improve water quality and the environment by reducing the amount of surface water entering the combined sewerage system. ISWM plans focusing on Dalmarnock, Clyde Gateway and Commonwealth Games Site delivery are being developed. A key task is the integration of surface water drainage with the built environment to address access, environmental improvement, biodiversity and wellbeing considerations. City Plan 2 requires new development to take account of sustainable drainage.
The River Clyde Flood Management Strategy (RCFMS) - identifies the most viable options for dealing with the threat of flooding from tidal and river sources. An Early Action Programme will deal with quay walls in poor condition, areas of high flood risk and where development is either planned or on land owned by the Council. Early action work at Pointhouse, Lancefield and Anderston Quays is assisting the development of the New Riverside Museum project and the delivery of Fastlink Phase One (tram route).
Climate Change
Climate change is being caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and other greenhouse gases. The Council aims to reduce levels of greenhouse gas emissions generated from its operations while working in partnership with agencies to raise awareness and plan for the anticipated impacts of climate change on the City. This is being achieved through the following:
Carbon Management Plan - The Council has set a target to reduce its CO2 emissions from the 2005/2006 baseline figure of 196,600 tonnes by 20% over a five year period. Progress in a number of projects detailed in the Council’s Carbon Management Implementation Plan has resulted in a reduction of approximately 14,000 tonnes in the first year.
Glasgow Climate Change Partnership -
The Glasgow Climate Change Partnership, (set up in March 2009), aims to bring together public, private and voluntary sector organisations to adapt to the challenges of climate change through education and by sharing good practice.
Sustainable Glasgow Project
A consortium, led by the University of Strathclyde, including the Council and the private sector, are developing a project that aims to position Glasgow as one of Europe’s most sustainable cities within 5 to 10 years. The project will provide the evidence to support investment in a range of projects that will contribute to its sustainability objectives through:
- placing most homes, offices, and public buildings in Glasgow on a district heating network – delivering lower cost and cleaner heat;
- delivering more sustainable homes and offices for the people of Glasgow;
- developing low carbon public transport in Glasgow;
- significantly reducing Glasgow’s carbon emissions;
- providing Glasgow with a state of the art telecommunications infrastructure.Climate Change Strategy
The Council is developing a Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, which will:-
- Assess Glasgow City Council’s contribution towards the causes of climate change.
- Identify how climate has already changed and forecast change over the next 80 years.
- Review progress on Scottish Climate Change Declaration targets.
- Identify the best way forward to reduce the Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions arising from the Council’s operations.
- Identify how the City should adapt to deal with the predicted changes in climate.
- Provide a framework for an action programme to achieve the local and national GHG emissions targets and to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Through an extensive consultation exercise and Strategic Environmental Assessment process, it is envisaged that the Strategy will be published by the end of 2009.