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  1. From Old Kilpatrick on the west coast to near Bo’ness in the east, the Antonine Wall was around 37 miles (60km) long
    From Old Kilpatrick on the west coast to near Bo’ness in the east, the Antonine Wall was around 37 miles (60km) long - © antoninewall.org
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Re-discovering the Antonine Wall

Status
ongoing
50%
City

Glasgow

Main actors

Local Government, Private Sector, NGO / Philanthropy, Public Utility

Project area

Neighborhood or district

Duration

Ongoing since 2015

World Heritage for community development 

Rediscovering the Antonine Wall is a series of projects that allows local communities to explore the stories embedded in the wall to inspire creative and educational opportunities. The communities co-design projects, programmes and activities that reflect what the wall means to them and what they want to do with their local heritage assets.

This case study was contributed from the European-Funded ‘Cultural Heritage in Action’ project.

https://eurocities.eu/projects/#906

 

For further information about the case study, click here.

Sustainable Development Goals

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for allPromote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for allReduce inequality within and among countriesMake cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainableEnsure sustainable consumption and production patternsPromote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
City
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Size and population development
On June 30, 2019, the National Records of Scotland recorded the population of the city of Glasgow at 633,120 and increase of 1.1% since 2018. The City covers an area of 175km2 with a population density of 4,0233 people per km2. In the period 2018-19, the level of in-migration in Glasgow City was 35,620, a 4.5% increase from 34,080 in the period 2017-18. The level of out-migration in Glasgow City was 29,350, which is a 2.2% increase from 28,720 in 2017-18.
Population composition
The population is comprised of 51% females and 49% males. The 0-15 age group population is recorded at 15.9% of the population, the 16-64 at 70.6% and 65+ at 13.5%. The official languages spoken in Glasgow are English, Scots Glaswegian and Gaelic. The Church of Scotland and the Roman Catholic Church are the two largest Christian denominations in the city.
Main functions
Glasgow is the most populous city in Scotland and the greater metropolitan area is the fifth most populous urban area in the United Kingdom. The city is located on the banks of the River Clyde in West Central Scotland. Many of Scotland’s national arts organisations are based in Glasgow, including the Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet, National Theatre of Scotland, Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the Scottish Youth Theatre. In 2008 Glasgow was appointed a UNESCO City of Music.
Main industries / business
Glasgow’s economy includes traditional heavy engineering as well as advanced engineering and manufacturing, aerospace technology and development, information and communication technology, software engineering renewable energy and low-carbon innovations, development and production of pharmaceuticals, bioinformatics and medical technology. Glasgow has a large retail sector and is a centre of film and television production, BBC Scotland is based there.
Sources for city budget
The Scottish Government seeks to distribute its funding fairly between councils. It does this by agreeing the method of distribution with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) and councils. Councils are mainly funded from four sources: Scottish Government grant, service income, non-domestic rates, and Council tax.
Political structure
Glasgow City Council is the local government authority for the City of Glasgow. It was created in 1996 under the Local Government (Scotland) Act.
Administrative structure
The council is ceremonially headed by the Lord Provost of Glasgow who is elected to convene the council and perform associated tasks as a general civic leader and Lord Lieutenant; the role has history dating from the 15th century. The council consists of 85 councillors who are elected for five-year terms by the single transferable vote system of election. There are 23 electoral wards across the city, each one has 3 or 4 councillors representing it. The council's executive branch is headed by a Leader of the Council, who is the leader of the largest political grouping.
Website
https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/

Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius ordered the construction of the Antonine Wall (Vallum Antonini) around 142. The wall was a turf fortification on stone foundations built by the Romans across what is now the Central Belt of Scotland. Representing the northernmost frontier barrier of the Roman Empire, it spanned approximately 63 kilometres and was 3 around 3 metres high and 5 meters wide.

The Antonine Wall is now part of the Frontiers of the Roman Empire transnational World Heritage Site. The 60 km site cuts across five council areas and runs through many disadvantaged communities, a number of which fall into the 20% most deprived in Scotland.

A partnership of key local authorities and government agencies are responsible for strategic and operational functions specifically for the Antonine Wall. The Partners are East Dunbartonshire Council (EDC), Falkirk Council (FC), Glasgow City Council (GCC), Historic Environment Scotland (HS), North Lanarkshire Council (NLC), and West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC).

The key objective behind the Rediscovering the Antonine Wall initiative is to use the wall as a catalyst for the social and economic development of the neighbouring communities.

The six partners managing the wall carried out an extensive public consultation in the communities along the wall. The consultation revealed a lack of awareness of the wall and its value.

The partners put in place a steering group and a project team to manage the project in close cooperation with community groups. The partners successfully applied for the necessary private, public and EU funding.

The partners and local communities have developed a series of projects, including educational and outreach programmes such as a Big Roman Camp for scout groups, a ‘21st Century Legion volunteering programme’, building five Roman- themed play facilities and 30 community projects related to the wall, ranging from Roman-themed gardens to work with refugees.

The project team runs the daily work and supports the community groups to deliver the projects they want to develop (ranging from €5,462 to €16,386), taking care of the financial management and contractual elements.

Stakeholders are involved depending on each project, including organisations like Scottish Canals, Forestry and Land Scotland and Nature Scotland.

Specialists within local and national authorities (arts staff, museum curators, archaeologists, environmental experts, etc.), as well as external contractors support the delivery of projects.

Volunteers contribute with research, content development and managing events.Schools, youth groups, university and college departments along the wall are involved in skill- development projects.

Projects are developed with museums and local heritage organisations.

The budget of €2.29 million was used for projects (€1.4 million), volunteer, community, outreach and education work (€454,446) and staff and administration (€427,135).

The funding sources are:

  • 46% by the National Lottery Heritage Fund
  • 25% by the five Local authorities and Historic Environment Scotland
  • 22% by the EU LEADER & LEADER Cooperation Fund
  • 7% by private investors and sponsors, notably Falkirk Environment Trust, WREN and Barnardos.

Further funding sources are being explored to continue and expand the project.

Over 30 community projects related to the wall have been initiated.

Public spaces that were decaying or out of use have been refurbished and re-appropriated by the Community.

By working on real-life projects, students and volunteers develop their skills.

New resources and content related to the wall have been developed, which can be accessed by a much wider range of visitors and communities.

The community is active in deciding how to use their local heritage assets.

Re-discovering the Antonine Wall highlights the wider benefits of cultural heritage: regeneration, spaces for healthier living and increased local pride, amongst others.

The Antonine Wall is a monument that can be difficult for non-specialists to understand.

The challenge was how to foster participation amongst a diverse audience, and those less likely to engage with cultural heritage.

Adaptive re-use of industrial heritage requires vision and care. It needs a strong leadership to be able to raise public and private interests. Involving the local university as well as committed and renowned architects broadens the vision and professionalises the stakeholder engagement.

The gradual increase of interest and support of the public sphere is necessary, as the need for investment, management and communication grow. A well-rounded team, comprised of people able to plan, think, write and manage large projects is crucial.

Categories

External links / documents

The Antonine Wall

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