A team from the University of Glasgow has embarked on research to examine the impact that the 2014 Commonwealth Games and related regeneration will have on the east end of the city.

Unprecedented levels of investment to develop infrastructure for the Games is being made, alongside  investment in improved housing, neighbourhoods and communities in Bridgeton, Calton, Camlachie, Dalmarnock, Gallowgate and Parkhead.

Researchers from the University of Glasgow, Glasgow Centre for Population Health and the Medical Research Council – who form the collaborative partnership GoWell – will investigate what benefits these changes might offer to the health and quality of life of local people. They will also consider whether the Games will stimulate interest in sport and leisure activities in the area.

Professor Ade Kearns, Principal Investigator on the project and Professor of Urban Studies at the University of Glasgow said: “The current investment and development activity in the East End of Glasgow represents the best opportunity since the 1970s to change the lives of some of the city’s most disadvantaged communities. It is important that we find out how, and to what extent, the East End residents themselves can gain from what is happening.”

This will involve three large-scale surveys over a five-year period that will gather feedback from people in different areas of the East End on the changing physical, economic and social environments in their local areas.

Although GoWell in the East End has its own dedicated project, it is also designed as part of the wider GoWell programme so the impact of concentrated building, transport, sport and employment projects on health outcomes for the East End can be compared with health and wellbeing indicators from other similar communities in Glasgow.

Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment Alex Neil said: 

“Community regeneration remains a significant part of our Regeneration Strategy and this project reflects our commitment to support communities to make a difference locally. The Scottish Government is firmly behind encouraging greater community empowerment and it is great to see local people come up with ideas to add to the prosperity of their own areas. The Commonwealth Games are a great opportunity for our communities to raise Scotland’s profile on the world stage.”

Councillor Archie Graham, Executive Member for the Commonwealth Games, said: "Glasgow City Council is committed to ensuring that the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games leave a lasting legacy for the people of the city. Although the Games are still two years away, some of our legacy projects are already delivering results, from the thousands of young Glaswegians now in apprenticeships to the city businesses which have won around £180m worth of Games-related contracts.  It's important we go further than any previous Games in terms of measuring that legacy and we will continue to work with our partners to make sure that happens."

GoWell: Studying Change in Glasgow’s East End is being funded by the Scottish Government, NHS Health Scotland and sportscotland.

For more information on the project, go to www.gowellonline.com

For more information contact Cara MacDowall in the University of Glasgow Media Relations Office on 0141 330 3683 Mobile: 07875 203 387 or email cara.macdowall@glasgow.ac.uk

First published: 23 July 2012

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