GoWell East

GoWell East was a five year, multi-strand investigation, examining the impacts of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and related regeneration interventions, on communities living next to some of the main Games venues in the inner East End of Glasgow.

The project overall investigated how, and in what ways, regeneration activities and associated changes in the neighbourhood environment were connected with health and wellbeing. Due to the intensive nature of investment in the study area, there was also scope for making interesting comparisons with the wider GoWell study, which examined the differences between various modes of regeneration that were taking place in Glasgow.  

The study began in 2012, establishing baseline information before the Commonwealth Games. Download the initial questionnaire.

The project formed part of the Scottish Government’s evaluation of Commonwealth Games’ legacy.

Project findings 

Two major prospective assessments of the impacts of regeneration and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games:

Publications in academic journals which explore:

A series of Equalities reports which highlighted key areas of policy interest.

An investigation of youth physical activity in six Glasgow secondary schools.

A series of other reports which explored the themes of regeneration and positive health behaviours, based on our findings from two large scale community surveys.  These examined participants' views on home and neighbourhood quality, community empowerment, employment, volunteering and employability, civic pride and engagement with the Commonwealth Games.

Our third community survey was undertaken in Summer 2016.  Download the survey questionnaire. 

Download the final GoWell East community newsletter (PDF).

Why did we undertake research in the East End?

We had not previously had the opportunity to survey the communities in this area and, in great part because of regeneration efforts, it was changing very rapidly. The Commonwealth Games happening in the area in 2014 meant that there was a considerable amount of physical change in the area, from house building and road construction to new and upgraded sports facilities.

This study area ran from Saltmarket and High Street in the west to the edge of Tollcross Park in the east, including the communities of Bridgeton, Calton, Camlachie, Dalmarnock, Gallowgate and some of Parkhead. This area was broadly similar to the Glasgow City Council East End Local Development Strategy area. Altogether, there were over 10,000 houses in the area and a population of nearly 19,000 people.

The study area contained the Emirates Arena and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, as well as the Athletes' Village, which included a mix of private and social rented housing after the Games. It was also bordered by the Glasgow National Hockey Centre and the refurbished Tollcross International Swimming Pool. We wanted to know how all these activities affected the health and wellbeing of neighbouring communities.

The area was also interesting in that it had a higher proportion of private rented housing and a wider mix of social landlords than in other GoWell neighbourhoods. Longstanding regeneration efforts associated with social rented landlords, the revival of the Merchant City at the western boundary of the area, and the contribution of Clyde Gateway Urban Regeneration Company had resulted in considerable changes, especially towards the city centre and Glasgow Green areas.

Funding

GoWell East was sponsored by:
The Scottish Government
NHS Health Scotland
sportscotland