The concept of “Glasgow Effect” refers to the low life expectancy and poor health of the population of Glasgow, compared to the rest of the UK. Govan is identified as one of the most deprived places in Glasgow according to Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) 2020. This study maps the derelict lands found in Govan and observes how derelict lands affect the environment, as well as analyzes the impact on the people living in the area. The hypothesis is that people living in close proximity to derelict land in deprived area will have lower life expectancy and more likely to have poorer health.

From the observations, the neighborhood with the most derelict lands in Govan is in very poor condition. The walls of the derelict structures and even of the housing in the neighborhood are vandalized and vacant lands are treated as dumping ground. According to the “broken windows” theory, the visible cues of crime in the environment such as improper waste disposal and vandalism will indicate lack of control over neighborhood conditions, encouraging criminal activities in the neighborhood. This results in the withdrawal of fearful residents from neighborhood life, causing social isolation that leads to poor health outcomes.

Key Themes: Environmental, Land-use, The Glasgow Effect, Well-being