Linthouse is an urban community within Greater Govan in Glasgow . Greater Govan is a Social Inclusion Partnership area in Glasgow . Linthouse grew up in tandem with shipbuilding and heavy engineering works on the Clyde . Over the years, the decline in Shipbuilding and heavy engineering has brought major problems to Linthouse and adjoining communities such as
unemployment, lack of inward investment and social deprivation. The community are motivated and keen to engage in positive visions for the future of Linthouse.
In September of last year a local survey was carried out and a Community Meeting held to dicuss the vision for Linthouse Urban Village . A presentation was given to discuss ideas for LUV with the local community. The turnout was overwhelming, resulting in support, commitment and excitement for the project.
Linthouse Urban Village Project is being led by Linthouse Housing Association, a charitable organisation run by a management committee of local people. There is currenly a feasibility study being carried out to scope potential for the development of a Linthouse Urban Village Foundation/Development Trust which would be run by a board of local representatives.
The initial ideas for the LUV project were developed with the Housing Association Committee and local people alongside Fablevision, a voluntary, charitable Arts Organisation who specialise in Arts Led Community Regeneration.
The proposals emerged following various recent studies and reports which focused on problematic issues facing the area which were urgently needing addressed, such as poverty, health and poor standards of educational attainment. Significantly with the relocation of the BBC, Channel 4 and others to the Govan Area it was realised that there was an opportunity for the area as a whole, to capitilise on this investment and address these difficult issues at the same time. In addition the growing Southern General hospital is situated in Linthouse and plans are well advanced for a new state-of-the-art out patient and day surgery service to be added, housing another 850 beds bringing in more mobile patients and staff and servicing a large part of the City. Initial talks with the Southern General have shown a willingness to advertise and advocate the use of the Linthouse Urban Village once it has been transformed by the LUV project.
Through Wider Action money, Communities Scotland realising the potential, enthusiasm and need for the project have funded the post of Linthouse Urban Village Co-ordinator for the next two and a half years. This post started on the 6 th of January 2004 , employing Ingrid Campbell, formerly of Fablevision as co-ordinator.
The first phase of the project started in September 2003 with money from the Greater Govan Key Fund to employ five artists to work within the local community and with local shop keepers to develop innovative and cutting edge designs for the exterior of the small businesses within Linthouse. This process is now complete and there are 14 innovative shop front designs ready to be implemented. The reason for redesigning the shop fronts is due to the off putting, dilapidated look of the existing shopfronts which impact negitively on aspirations, community self esteem and pride in the area. The idea is that the community is directly involved in its own culturally planned living environment. Linthouse Housing Association has kept the sandstone tenements in the area to a high standard over the years, but the astheticaly poor and uninventive shop fronts below the tenements means the area still looks down at heel.
The Shop fronts are only one part of the vision for the regeneration of Linthouse Urban Village . Since the start of the project and through various consultations, the agenda and momentum have grown into a potentially huge project.
John McBride , executive director of LHA is excited at the prospect of a transformed Linthouse; ' LUV has the potential to restore the community spirit of Linthouse and I'm confident that through the LUV project , Linthouse will once again be a great place to live in, to work in and to visit.'
The Luv Concept was developed as a way of
o Involving local people in the ownership of their community.
o Developing a grass roots, Cultural Planning approach to regeneration
o Ensuring the continued development of Linthouse as a community village.
o increasing opportunities for local people to socialise
o Rising peoples aspirations and quality of life.
o Increasing job and training opportunities for local people
o Re-branding positively and creatively the image of Linthouse
o Encouraging more footfall and interest to the area
o Improving opportunities for local people and business through an artistic programme
o Impacting positively on the economy of the area
Linthouse Urban Village
The Vision
*LUV Co-ordinator - in place
*LUV Community Gallery and Training Centre - focal point for the project, space for exhibitions and where the
*LUV Co-ordinator is based.
*The Luv Office has been uniquely designed in collaboration with architects s, interior designers and artists - funding secured awaiting adaptation works to be completed for end of March
*Substation for creative industries (artists workspaces) and youth work facilities-Substation One Project currently in development for July 2004
*Existing Shop fronts being redesigned by artists, designers and architects in consultation with shop keepers and the local Community - awaiting funding development
*Community Café with Internet facilities and host to community activities i.e book group, poetry group, cookery classes, arts classes - part funded, awaiting outcome of match funding
*Vacant shops re-opened and redesigned as attractive service based outlets e.g. Social Firms in Creative Recycling, Community laundrette etc - awaiting development
*Prominent Visual welcome signs to Linthouse Urban village at gateways/roundabouts at either entrances to Linthouse accessible from the Clyde Tunnel - awaiting development
*Chris tmas lights designed by the community- awaiting development
*Organised annual event e.g. a Summer Festival - awaiting development
*Summer Festival Street Decoration - flower baskets cultivated by local community projects incorporating the recently funded Balbeg Street Community Garden also including pot making and outdoor visual arts exhibitions - awaiting development
*Marketing e.g. on billboards, buses, newspapers, Association Newsletters, Postcards, Tourist Information, Glasgow City of Love - awaiting development
*One day a week set aside as market day - awaiting development
*Upgrading of Council owned landscaping with new street furniture for pavements - awaiting development
*Regular street sweeps with 'Green Machine' - in place
*Planted tubs in central carriageway, regularly maintained - awaiting development
Linthouse Urban Village 1 Cressy Street Glasgow G51 4RB tel 0141 4252020 email: ingrid@Linthouseha.com