Proof that canal regeneration saves lives
A RECENTLY published study by researchers at Glasgow Caledonian University shows that regeneration of the Forth & Clyde Canal has led to a faster decline in mortality rates in communities next to the canal than those further away.
The rate of decrease in mortality rates was largest in the areas closest to the canal, closing the gap between less and more affluent areas.
Beginning with the premise that urban waterways are underutilised assets which can provide benefits such as climatechange mitigation and promote health and wellbeing in urban settings, the unique 17-year experiment focused on the Forth & Clyde Canal in north Glasgow.
The canal closed to navigation in 1963 and fell into disrepair, reopening in 2001 as part of the £78 million Millennium Link after a long period of campaigning and restoration. The project studied the revival of the canal and surrounding green spaces on mortality, a widely used indicator of general health and health inequalities.
Findings support the premise that regeneration of disused waterways and their surroundings has a positive impact on health, the researchers noting that future studies are required to ascertain which specific elements of regeneration are the most effective in promoting health and health equity.
The study is named The Impact of Regeneration and Climate Adaptations of Urban Green–Blue Assets on All-Cause Mortality: A 17-Year Longitudinal Study and can be found online.