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demonstrating the links
action research on greenspaces
Demonstrating the Links was a two-year programme of community-led action research. Working with eight community groups, it supported the design and delivery of local research projects that investigated the impacts of greenspaces on community quality of life.
The programme shows the contribution of greenspace to health and wellbeing; safer and stronger communities; community regeneration and capacity building; connecting communities with biodiversity and climate change issues.
Unlike many research programmes where communities are the subject of research and the research is in effect ‘done to them’, this programme provided community groups with a mentor who worked with them to support the design and delivery of their research projects.
Eight community groups participated in this action research programme:
1. Ardler Village Trust, DUNDEE
Ardler’s project offers an effective community-led approach to assessing greenspace quality and aspirations across a whole neighbourhood. more
2. Abbotshaugh Community Woodland, FALKIRK
The Abbotshaugh project is a community-led environmental improvement project; the research project carried out by the group is an example of a consultation approach to inform future development of greenspace. more
3. Balornock Urban Garden Scheme (BUGS), GLASGOW
The BUGS project is an example of an innovative allotment project which gives over 300 primary school children the opportunity to plant, grow and eat their own organic food. more
4. Burdiehouse Burn Valley Park, EDINBURGH
The Burdiehouse research project is an example of a flexible community consultation approach which can inform the management of greenspace so that it meets the needs of all users. more
5. Dunain Community Woodlands Trust, INVERNESS
The Dunain project aims to take over an area of woodland near Inverness and develop it for community use. The research is an example of a varied consultation to plan and raise awareness of a greenspace project. more
6. Bridgend Community Allotments, EDINBURGH
This allotment project provides opportunities for people to improve their health through a mixture of physical activity, healthy diet and social interaction. The research project is an example of an effective data collection and evaluation system. more
7. GOW Sustainable Backcourts Initiative, GLASGOW
GOW’s research approach provides an example of the importance of successful community engagement within a shared urban space with a broad mix of owners and tenants to maximise local regeneration and community development. more
8. Healthy Roots, ABERDEEN
Healthy Roots combines areas for wildlife, play and horticulture on former derelict land. The group has not had the capacity to complete their research project within the programme's timescale but plan to publish a report during 2008. more
Publications
Research reports, briefing notes and the evaluation of the Demonstrating the Links programme can be found here
research partners | community projects |
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