Greener Legacy
Glasgow's ambition to become one of the most sustainable cities in Europe has been supported through the work of the games. Our bid to host the event committed to a low carbon and sustainable games. Through the greener legacy theme, we are:
Improving the multifunctionality, access to and use of greenspace
Quality greenspaces are vital to a healthy, prosperous and sustainable city. Better use of and connections to Glasgow's greenspaces is providing real benefits to communities across the city.
Stalled Spaces
Stalled Spaces is an award winning initiative focuses on the temporary use of vacant or under-utilised land to deliver a range of innovative projects, enabling physical renewal and fostering community empowerment throughout the city.
Clyde Walkway Pilot Project
The clyde walkway forms an active travel conduit that connects the east and west of Glasgow to the city centre and beyond. As a result of the project, the path network adjacent to the river has been upgraded and bespoke cycle gates installed. In addition, in partnership with Tollcross housing association and other key stakeholders, an innovative lighting design for the Westburn viaduct - a disused railway bridge crossing the Clyde has been completed as part of the Linked via Light project.
Multifunctional Greenspace Project
The project aims to deliver environmental regeneration within three pilot areas of the city
The objectives and technical scope of each multifunctional greenspace project are a direct response to the sites and the challenges and opportunities they present.
Improving the environmental aspects of sustainable living standards
We are committed to improving the environmental aspects of sustainable living standards; this includes everyday issues such as waste, design, transport and energy use.
Sustainable Design - Athletes' Village
The 33 hectare site on Springfield Road in the East End of the city was developed to create an Athletes' Village for Glasgow 2014. Now that the Athletes' Village has helped participants to prepare for the Games, it is providing accommodation for new residents. After the Games, it become one of the most significant new urban housing developments in the UK, with permanent accommodation of 700 houses and flats, available for sale and rent from January 2015, and a new 120 bed care home for the elderly.
A total of 300 of the houses and flats are being sold by the developer, with 400 houses being rented from three locally-based housing associations. They are a mixture of two, three and four bedroom family houses, all with gardens. A number of them are fully wheelchair accessible.
The village is in a fantastic setting along the Clyde, with many of the houses will having views of the river. The development contains extensive landscaped spaces and water features. Each house is built to the highest standard, with generous room sizes. The entire development is highly energy-efficient, and a nearby combined heat and power (CHP) plant ensures heating bills are considerably lower than comparable houses and that residents will have a constant supply of heating and hot water.
For further information on the Athletes' Village site and to register interest in the development, visit www.citylegacy.co.uk.
Glasgow's Green Year 2015
Building on the commitment made by Glasgow as part of our European green capital bid, the city is hosting a Green Year in 2015 to showcase the city's transformation from an industrial revolution to a green revolution.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by improving environmental practices
The development of sustainable and environmental practices is helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Glasgow.
ISO 20121
A sustainable event management system has been implemented with ISO 20121 for the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and other major events. This will reduce the environmental impact of major events, before and after the games, especially in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.
Environmental Guiding Principles
Environmental Guiding Principles (PDF) [173KB] have been created with case studies that describe how to make any venue more environmentally friendly. Read the Glasgow 2014 commonwealth games environmental guiding principles.
Waste Diversion Project
The successful diversion of over 80% of waste from landfill at games-time will provided a model for successful implementation at other venues, facilities and events across the city long after 2014. More information can be found on the transforming waste website.
Case Studies
Stalled Spaces: The award winning Stalled Spaces initiative focuses on the temporary use of vacant or under-utilised land to deliver a range of innovative projects, enabling physical renewal and fostering community empowerment throughout the city.
Glasgow, from its legacy as an industrial city, has more vacant sites than the rest of Scotland put together. Many of these sites may have plans for future development, however this can be anywhere from one to over ten years until development is scheduled to begin. The project focuses on the temporary use of vacant land, under utilised open space and sites earmarked for development though stalled. Projects deliver a range of initiatives that promote health and wellbeing and social interaction.
Uses include green gym, play space, pop-up sculpture, exhibition or events space, arts project, food growing space.
Ibrox Flower Field Community Garden had become neglected and overgrown in recent years. Following a city-wide environmental review of areas around Commonwealth Games venues, it became eligible for community funding and as a result a community garden and growing space has been developed.
The garden features raised beds, lawns and pathways and is now used for community events. The project aims to promote social cohesion and wellbeing, providing a safe and attractive communal space with access to healthy living initiatives for all members of the local community.
Park Twinning: Connor Quigley, 14, is a pupil atEastbank Academy in Shettleston and is taking part in a project which twins Glasgow's parks with Commonwealth countries. As part of this, young people will help maintain some of Glasgow's parks and learn about other cultures.
Connor said: "Taking part in this project has really helped me learn about the importance of taking care of the environment. I really like growing my own food in Tollcross Park and learning about healthy eating.
"I've learned a lot about Malawi and the Commonwealth Games and I think the Games will be great for Glasgow. I'll be 19 in 2014 and would love to win a medal in my home city."
Alisha Livingstone, 9, attends Mount Vernon Primary School and knows all about the importance of recycling. She said: "I like learning about the environment. I help at home by telling my mum what paper and plastic she can recycle. We are taught in school that you should recycle whatever you can and we can all do our bit."
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