GCV Green Network
Connecting Our Quality Spaces

Residents in Auchenback, East Renfrewshire, recently took part in a research exercise to highlight the good and bad aspects of their local green and open spaces.

The exercise, run by Halcrow consultants, is part of a wider assessment of the area to discover the real and perceived barriers to accessing the Green Network.

As part of the consultants work, local attitudes and usage will be assessed over the medium to long-term alongside a local programme of physical regeneration.

Ellie Mills, of Halcrow consultants, said "We are innovative in the way we gathered our research information, in this instance we supplied 10 digital cameras to local residents. We found that by giving people a camera and asking them to take 10 photos as they went about their day to day activities it was a much easier to start a dialogue rather that using the usual questionnaire approach."

"The informal conversations we had with residents whilst distributing cameras were a rich source of information. An exhibition of the images, entitled 'A picture of health', provided a platform for further discussion and workshops. This provided us with a vital evidence base with which to continue our research."

"This information will now be analysed, categorised and developed into an action plan with specific proposals to allow people to gain the maximum benefit from their open space resources."

In an area of high deprivation like Auchenback it is hoped that significant investment in regeneration will bring with it increased levels of activity across the local Green Network.