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glasgow, Source: Glasgow City Council

Glasgow launches online mapping tool to create safe pedestrian spaces

Glasgow launches online mapping tool to create safe pedestrian spaces

Users and citizens can comment on and highlight the need for changes in the urban area that would allow for better social distancing

In order to transform the city and make it more social distancing-friendly, the Glasgow City Council is asking locals for input on how the urban area can be changed and where the biggest problems and obstacles to pedestrians can be found.

The coronavirus pandemic has led to increased demand in space available exclusively to pedestrians as measures require the keeping of distance between individuals of different households. That is why local authorities across the UK and Europe have been experimenting with different solutions that are able to provide their constituents with the safety they need in order to venture outside.

An innovative and citizen-based solution

In an effort to achieve this monumental task Glasgow has launched its very own online platform meant to allow for citizens to report issues with city infrastructure and to highlight different problem areas across the urban area. The Commonplace Mapping Tool also allows for users to pinpoint locations where emergency action is needed and where the City Council should act with speed – for example in tight areas where the pavement does not allow for social distancing, the local government can quickly move to expand the pedestrianized area.

The introduction of the new tool is part of Glasgow’s larger push to procure more space for pedestrians, which is also supported by the Scottish Government in the form of 3.5 million pounds in funding for the expansion of walking and cycling areas in the city. 

Cllr Anna Richardson, City Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction stated that "It is essential that people have the space, and confidence to maintain physical distancing as lockdown restrictions ease so they can move forward with their lives and our recovery can progress at pace.

Plans are already underway to introduce temporary widened footways and new cycling infrastructure across our city, however, we are keen to hear from people about where they would like to see safer spaces created. The availability of the Commonplace mapping tool is a quick and easy way to make suggestions about those public spaces in Glasgow where introducing short-term travel infrastructure measures could help people maintain physical distancing and suppress a resurgence of the virus. Our communities know their streets best and we want to tap into that local knowledge as we develop and shape our Spaces for People plans."

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