Thornwood Community Council Teams Up with Glasgow City Council to Explore Community Green Space
Under the Community Empowerment Act 2015, Scottish Local Authorities, including Glasgow City Council, are required to craft Food Growing Strategies tailored to their respective areas. Glasgow’s official strategy begins by reminding everyone of the historical significance of allotments, which have been integral to the city since the 1890s, first offering residents without private gardens the chance to grow their own fruit and vegetables amidst an increasingly industrialised landscape and now providing a green oasis in an urban setting.
Highlighting the importance of such initiatives, Glasgow’s strategy emphasises the many benefits of local food growing, ranging from fostering outdoor learning opportunities to enhancing community well-being. As the majority of Thornwood’s residents live in tenements and flats, allotments and other green spaces can be a vital means of promoting health and social cohesion.
In line with Glasgow’s commitment to supporting citizen-led projects with broader benefits for society, and by leveraging the principles of the Food Growing Strategy, Thornwood Community Council hopes to harness the transformative potential of unused land, reimagining it as a flourishing space that fosters connection, growth, and well-being for residents of all ages.
As discussions unfold and plans take shape, community members are encouraged to participate in the process. Together, we can forge a brighter and greener future.