Glasgow City Region Climate Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan
Fig. 21. Heart of the Campus: design by RFB, rendered image by Float Digital.
A new Teaching and Learning hub designed with students for students Working with staff and students, the University has developed a new building—linking climate adaptation and mitigation actions—to provide space for flexible and group learning as well as the Students Union. Using the shell and core of two existing buildings to redesign the Teaching and Learning Building has meant carbon associated with the original construction of these buildings is not released – there is an embodied carbon saving of 67%. The carbon saved is the same as the amount of carbon generated by 3,350 Scottish homes in one year. Transformational change in Climate Neutral Innovation District The projects described above have contributed to the development of a large-scale, collaborative Climate Neutral Innovation District in the heart of Glasgow. A whole-systems approach is used to link four areas of heat, power, transport and community well-being for climate resilience with plans for 100% renewable energy. A community focus underpins the research putting people at the centre of the plan to integrate these four areas. The project will work with a range of stakeholders that have new approaches to help address the climate emergency, create opportunities around a green economy and promote sustainability in the long-term.
Read more about the planned projects as part the Climate Neutral Innovation District and plans to replicate the ‘district’ in other areas, such as North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, West Dunbartonshire.
Similar projects in Europe: Creating areas of cool in Paris Climate adaptation creating green space and well-being benefits for people is also happening across Europe. In Paris, Project Oasis aims to re-green 800 concrete school courtyards to what has been described as “islands of cool”. Plans include planting green walls, increasing vegetation to increase shade and replacing concrete with drainable surfaces. Spaces will be open to the wider communities living in and around the schools, providing shelters from extreme heat. Conversations between children and their parents about the school courtyards raises awareness of climate adaptation, encouraging wider cultural changes. Not only will this project reduce the heat island effect in Paris, but it will also improve access to green spaces for communities in a city with a low percentage of green space, enhancing well-being of the people that live there.
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