C O N T E X T 1 7 1 : M A R C H 2 0 2 2 33 CHANGE ON THE HIGH STREET The action plan, endorsed at the UNECE ministerial meeting of October 2021, furthers the principles of the Geneva UN Charter, adopts the findings of the housing 2030 research, and introduces three new principles born out of the secretary general’s 2020 policy briefs. The principles are, first, that cities are central to building back better. Second, that cities can not flourish without well-functioning housing systems. And third, that housing, mobility, environment and economy are interrelated, and require integrated responses. This recognises not only the importance of individual sustainable development goals, notably numbers 11 and 13, but also their interrelated and indivisible nature, and their vertical integration in global national sub-national and local policy, design and delivery. Twenty-minute neighbourhoods From early beginnings in the 1970s, perhaps because they had a hand in the genesis of the community-led housing associations, the architectural and design community of Glasgow has played an important part in the quality of housing that has been delivered in the city over the last three decades. Enlightened procurement continues today in the urban architectural and landscape design of the transformation regeneration areas. These also form the basis on which to grow an approach to the roll-out of a programme for 20-minute neighbourhoods. The quotes included in this article demonstrate the degree to which the design and delivery of the transformation regeneration areas embody the principle of access to everyday needs, including local goods and services, shopping, greenspace, education and health.These lie at the root of the 20-minute-neighbourhood policy. Glasgow’s early growth resulted in a pattern of neighbourhoods that were adversely affected by deindustrialization, but the pattern of place remains. It can help augment the basis of a network of neighbourhoods that provide local goods and services for the people of Glasgow within a 20-minute walk, cycle or wheel from their home. Glasgow believes that access to sustainable, affordable housing is a right. As a consequence, the delivery of such housing is a necessary component of modern city planning and design. Housing is a pre-eminent necessity, but it is not by itself sufficient to effect the transition required in the journey to net-zero. Only when supported by economic prosperity, environmental quality, sustainable movement systems and meaningful cultural life can it be hoped to have established the sufficient conditions for the integrated and indivisible delivery of the sustainable development goals. That transition needs to be clean, green, and just, and it must be done in a way that provides hope to help Glasgow’s people transform their lives and the places they inhabit. Last words ‘A huge lesson to learn is that design is really important. You only get one hit at the design and building of something’ (Fraser Stewart); ‘Tenant engagement is vital for success’ (Bernadette Hewitt); ‘All our members believe in what local service means. It’s that word local, being close to your challenge, understanding the area in a way that only a truly local organisation can properly serve its community’ (David Bookbinder); ‘We produce some of the best quality social rented housing anywhere in the country’ (Michelle Mundie); ‘I think midmarket rents are a really good idea because it’s such a difficult time to buy property’ (Joanna Mullen, Partick Housing Association). Brian Evans is professor of urbanism and landscape at the Glasgow School of Art and the city urbanist for Glasgow. This article is based on the research undertaken for the film Living in Glasgow: a journey to 2030 for COP 26(available at www.youtube. com/watch?v=mSsdXnOqENQ). The interviews were undertaken under the umbrella of the work of the Place Commission for Glasgow (due to report in spring 2022) being led by Brian Evans. New housing in Sighthill Transformation Regeneration Area
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