Reviving Glasgow’s River Kelvin : an ecosystem services approach to nature-based solutions and community well-being

Abstract

Urban rivers face unprecedented challenges from rapid urbanisation, aging infrastructure, and climate change, necessitating innovative restoration approaches that integrate environmental health with human wellbeing. This research investigates the potential of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to revive the River Kelvin in Glasgow through an ecosystem services framework that links water quality improvements with recreational accessibility and community health benefits. A mixed-methods approach combining hydrological analysis, water quality monitoring, waste pollution mapping, and community engagement (n = 60) was employed to evaluate the river’s current ecological condition and stakeholder perspectives on restoration priorities. Hydrological assessment revealed moderate baseflow resilience (BFI = 0.42) but significant impacts from channel modification and urban runoff. Water quality monitoring across ten sites demonstrated strong correlations between urban land use, visible waste pollution, and reduced dissolved oxygen levels (r = –0.62), with pollution hotspots in the lower reaches near Yorkhill and Kelvingrove. Community feedback indicated that over 85 percent of respondents support riparian vegetation buffers and floating wetlands to enhance aesthetics and capture pollutants, and linked visible water quality improvements to increased recreational use and mental health benefits. The symbiotic relationship between water quality and recreational appeal emerged as a critical principle for urban river management, in which visible ecological improvements foster greater community engagement and environmental stewardship. The findings demonstrate that strategically implemented NbS—including Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS), riparian restoration, and floating treatment wetlands—can concurrently address flood risk, water quality degradation, and recreational barriers while delivering co-benefits for biodiversity conservation and climate resilience. This integrated framework offers a replicable model for urban river restoration that balances ecological integrity with community wellbeing, supporting Glasgow’s 2030 sustainability targets and broader urban climate adaptation strategies.