Resilient Glasgow - People make Glasgow resilient

Vision

Glasgow is a thriving, inclusive and resilient city. We celebrate innovation, production and culture. Our future city is a fair society where all Glaswegians can enjoy the best possible health and wellbeing, and have the opportunities they need to flourish.

What is City Resilience?

The capacity of individuals, communities, institutions, businesses, and systems within a city to survive, adapt, and grow no matter what kinds of chronic stresses and acute shocks they experience. Resilience is about building a stronger and more adaptable future for all Glaswegians.

What is 100 Resilient Cities (100RC)?

The Rockefeller Foundation marked its centenary in 2013 by inviting bids from cities around the world to be part of a network of 100 Resilient Cities. Glasgow submitted an application for membership of the network in October 2013. Glasgow was amongst 400 cities whose bids were assessed by a panel of internationally respected judges. The bid was successful and Glasgow’s status in the first tranche of 32 cities was announced in December 2013. Since then, another 68 cities have joined the network.

This award has allowed Glasgow to appoint a Chief Resilience Officer, Alastair Brown, to lead the development of a resilience agenda for our city. It has provided benefits from engaging with peer cities from around the world.

Our Challenges

Glasgow is a resilient city, it has an extraordinarily rich history characterised by unshakeable strength and continuous reinvention in the face of shocks and stresses. Following the industrial revolution, the city took steps to diversify its economy and build a more attractive place its citizens. Moving into the future Glasgow faces different challenges, including climate change and economic uncertainty which must be addressed to ensure we become a more resilient city.

Testimonials

Alastair Brown

It is a real honour to be the first Chief Resilience Officer of this great city. Glasgow is a strong and resilient place. At the same time, the city faces multiple complex challenges that weaken the fabric of our city. Future challenges such as climate change, ageing infrastructure and demographic change threaten to multiply these stresses. To be prepared for the future and to truly thrive in the face of these challenges, we need to help our communities to grow and become even stronger. We need to empower citizens to make a real difference. This is the heart of our strategy.

Council Leader Councillor Frank McAveety

Glasgow is a city that learns from the past. We have weathered so much change throughout our history - from the industrial revolution and the decline of traditional industry to the recent economic downturn. However, we have always shown flexibility and strength of character that has allowed us to capitalise on new opportunities for growth. Glaswegians are proud of their friendly, neighbourly and tolerant place. We are an ambitious city and strive for fairness and equality. This is why we can face an uncertain future with confidence.

Michael Berkowitz

Glasgow’s rich history, architecture and cultures are a testament to its resilience. Today’s challenges may not be the same tomorrow. Building lasting urban resilience requires recognising the city’s strengths, weaknesses, shocks and stresses. We are excited to work with Glasgow at the forefront of a new global movement to build urban resilience. And cities and nations near and far are taking note of Glasgow’s ground-breaking achievements.

The most diverse population in Scotland with 1 in 7 Glaswegians coming from an ethnic minority background.
The most diverse population in Scotland with 1 in 7 Glaswegians coming from an ethnic minority background.
Over 3,500 hectares of green space and 91 public parks.
£17 billion GVA generated to the Scottish economy each year.
The employment levels currently growing at 2% a year.
60% of residents living within 500m of derelict land, double the national average.
A population that is expected to grow rapidly by 15% over the next 20 years.
26% of all adult Glaswegians holding no formal qualifications.
A rate of violent crime that is twice the national average.
34% of households experiencing fuel poverty.

Do you think your neighbourhood has the same, more or fewer problems than other areas in the city?