Heat is not often thought of as a problem in Scotland but Climate Ready Clyde research has shown that, as the climate changes, the Glasgow City Region will experience higher than average temperatures and more frequent, extreme heatwaves. This may sound great but extreme heat poses a health risk to vulnerable people and our buildings and transport network have not been built to cope with intense heatwaves. The problem is worse in cities where concrete, traffic and high buildings generate and trap heat.

When temperatures rise, trees, parks and green spaces can help people cope with heat by providing shade and cooling the urban environment.

The Glasgow City Region Climate Vulnerability Map has identified Pollok and Govan as Glasgow neighbourhoods particularly vulnerable to heat risk. Over summer 2023 to winter 2024, researchers from the Open University and the Scottish climate charity Verture ran a community-led research project to investigate the role that green and natural spaces in Govan and Pollok play in helping residents cope with hot weather.

Supported by Impact Arts (Govan), the Village Storytelling Centre (Pollok) and Open University researchers, a team of seven community researchers interviewed fellow residents, asking them what they thought about the natural spaces in their neighbourhood and how they experienced changing weather. They gathered views from 126 people in ‘walk and talk’ sessions or creative workshops which were then used by artists to create a series of graphic cartoons for Govan and a zine for Pollok.

The research showed that Glasgow residents are already experiencing the negative impacts of hot weather and adopting measures to adapt such as staying indoors, shutting curtains during the day or going out/walking their dogs in the evenings. Trees and greenspaces provide day-time shade for some people, but many felt that their neighbourhood didn’t have enough cooling greenery or easily accessible natural spaces.

The project has raised awareness of how our climate is changing and helped people to understand the dangers of increasing temperatures. They also learned about practical things they can do to adapt. Both communities are now exploring how they can improve their existing parks and increase shade so their neighbourhoods are more resilient and better able to cope with climate change.

Further information about the research project can be found here - About the project | Urban Greening.