School-based citizen science examining canal network in a disadvantaged neighborhood in Scotland
Glasgow, Scotland (2019)
Project Goal
- Identify barriers and facilitators to physical activity in their environment, particularly in relation to the canal network crossing their area
Guiding Question
What makes it easy or hard to walk in your community?
Project Description
As cities become denser, green and blue spaces like parks, rivers, and fountains are disappearing. Access to these spaces is vital for health and well-being, but the quality of the space matters. This project aims to maximize the health benefits of urban blue spaces by focusing on both access and quality. In an economically deprived area of Scotland, elementary-aged citizen scientists from three schools: Maryhill, Ruchill, and Possil, evaluated their environment for assets and barriers to physical activity, focusing on the canal networks in the area. The citizen scientists then independently developed an animated film describing their data-based results and recommendations, which was shown to the school and other local authorities. Their results and recommendations were also integrated into a larger report which was shared with the Scottish government. These citizen science activities contributed to efforts facilitating the subsequent building of a new multi-use outdoor game space for youth at the canal site, as well as a bridge linking three communities previously physically separated by the canals.
Insights
Across 3 schools, students aged 8-10 years old in an environmental sustainability after-school club from economically deprived areas of Scotland collected 151 photos and recorded 131 audio comments. Students reviewed the collected data and categorized it into strengths and areas for improvement:
Strengths Identified
- Fauna and flora
- Potential for the area to be so much more
- Place to feel good
- Cycling and walking
- Paths away from traffic
Areas for Improvement
- Lack of maintenance (grass cutting on verges, derelict and vacant land)
- Rubbish and vandalism
- Regulations that prevent use for camping
- Safety issues
Activities and Outcomes
- Citizen scientists developed an animated film describing their data-based results and recommendations, which was shown to the school and other local authorities.
- Data and film were discussed and debated during Science Day at three schools and further data collected
- Results integrated within a larger body of evidence and have been shared with the Scottish Government cross-political party committee on waterways and University network for the United Nations 26th world summit on climate change occurring in Glasgow
- Results contributed to the building of a new multi-usage game space for youth near the North Glasgow Canal which allows youth to play football, basketball, hockey and other group sports in a safe environment. A new bridge also is being erected linking three communities previously physically separated by the canals.
People and Collaborators
Project Lead(s):
- Sebastien Chastin
Collaborating Organization(s) / Institutional Partner(s):
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
- Departments of Epidemiology & Population Health and Medicine (Stanford Prevention Research Centre), Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Geriatric Medicine, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
- School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
- Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium
Associated Publications
- Chastin, S.; Saunders, J.N.; Kelly, P.; Simpson, J.S. Urban green and blue spaces impact on health and health equity: A stakeholder driven logic model. In Proceedings of the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity Annual Conference, Prague, Czech Republic, 4–9 June 2019.
- King,A.C.; Odunitan-Wayas, F.A.; Chaudhury, M.; Rubio, M.A.; Baiocchi, M.; Kolbe-Alexander, T.; Montes, F.; Banchoff, A.; Sarmiento, O.L.; Bälter, K.; et al. Community-Based Approaches to Reducing Health Inequities and Fostering Environmental Justice through Global 8 Youth-Engaged Citizen Science. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 892. https://doi.org/10.3390/ ijerph18030892
Point of contact for more information
- niamh.smith@gcu.ac.uk (N. Smith)
- michail.georgiou@gcu.ac.uk (M. Georgiou)
- king@stanford.edu (A.C. King)
- zoe.tieges@gcu.ac.uk (Z. Tieges)
- stephen.webb@gcu.ac.uk (S. Webb)
- sebastien.chastin@gcu.ac.uk (S. Chastin)