Case Studies   The Glasgow Case Study. The Gorbals

The Gorbals Today: Challenges and Opportunities

In conjunction with the physical redevelopment of the area, the more people centred issues were also identified as vital to the economic and social regeneration of the area, hence the setting up of Gorbals Initiative, a process which did, and still does, involve the local resident and business communities.

In many respects Glasgow was breaking new ground in the late 1980s and early 1990s by setting up this network of local development companies in areas of need. In fact even today the Glasgow Local Development Company Network is the most extensive decentralised system of local economic services in any UK city.

In 1991 unemployment in the area was 20%, today it is 8.2%. Over the last five years unemployment in the Gorbals has fallen at a rate that is almost double that of Glasgow .

Challenges –

•  Low levels of economic activity, 50% of the local working age population are out of work, but only 20% of these are ‘registered unemployed', the majority are in invalidity related benefits and constitute the ‘hidden unemployed';

•  50% of the population have a long term limiting illness;

•  28% of school leavers become unemployed;

•  Large numbers of Asylum Seekers moving into the area (estimated 450 people);

•  High levels of drug and alcohol addiction and violent crime;

•  A fragmented area where central Hutchesontown has been extensively redeveloped by the Crown Street Regeneration Project, the development plans for the Oatlands area to the east have been agreed but the local community are unhappy with the mass demolition which has taken place too far in advance of the rebuilding work, and finally the Laurieston area to the west where the worst problems are concentrated and plans for redevelopment are only in the early stages;

•  An area divided by territorialism and sectarianism;

•  Poorly maintained public spaces.

Opportunities –

•  Strong economic base with a high level of business start ups;

•  The Glasgow economy performing well with 48,000 new jobs created between 1995 and 2000;

•  Tightening labour market means that employers need to consider ‘non traditional' recruits e.g. long term unemployed or women returners;

•  Proximity to the city centre and good transport links;

•  10 years of physical redevelopment resulting in much improved housing stock and business accommodation;

•  Strong community identity;

•  Good local facilities – Sports Centre, Community Centre, Citizen's Theatre etc.

Vision for the Gorbals    Resources