Litter is a social and environmental problem experienced all around the world, and Glasgow is no exception. Glasgow spends £17 million every year cleaning up litter and removing graffiti. With a desire to improve the quality of life of residents, while also attracting new investment and competing on the global stage for a significant share of the tourism economy, Glasgow is now committing to a new strategy to dramatically transform the city’s urban environment. Glasgow City Council and partner organisations have formed a vision of Glasgow being a clean city where people take responsibility for, and feel pride in the city’s appearance
Litter and graffiti affect the quality of life of Glaswegians, the experience of visitors, and the overall image of the city. In July 2006, a Health Protection Scotland survey reported that Glasgow has the worst litter problems in Scotland . The extent of the problem is confirmed by the Scottish Household Survey (2005 results published in August 2006). 28% of households in Glasgow reported experiencing litter or rubbish lying around, highlighted by more households in Glasgow than any other neighbourhood problem. The results also suggest that litter is experienced by a greater proportion of households in Glasgow, than any other area in Scotland .
Glasgow has a strong position in relation to other global destinations. In response to healthy tourism and convention markets, the city’s hotel stock has increased by 40% in the past six years . Glasgow is a shopper’s paradise and was voted Britain’s top retail destination . In the conference market, Glasgow was 22nd in the world rankings in 2005 for the number of international delegates it attracts – up from 34 in 2003 .
The Editor of Frommer’s travel guides chose Glasgow as one of her top ten must-see destinations for 2006 and the only one selected in Europe . And in September 2006, the American travel magazine Condé Nast named Glasgow as the top UK city destination for foreign visitors, ahead of Edinburgh and London. The award was based on a number of criteria including people, hospitality, and cleanest streets.
Looking internally, the quality of life of Glaswegians is at the heart of everything Glasgow City Council strives to do. Taking a wider external view, Glasgow’s successful positioning amongst other European and world cities must be continuously nurtured if this success is to be maintained. Improving cleanliness in the city is seen as a strategic priority in underpinning Glasgow’s global positioning, and improving quality of life of residents.