Phase 5, North East Community Planning Partnership Area, Cycling Molendinar Burn

As part of Glasgow Life’s Artists in Communities programme, Green Economy Iteration, in the North East and South Community Planning Partnership Areas, artist duo Walker and Bromwich expanded on previous work to explore environmental concerns, climate justice and pollution.

The North East of Glasgow, marked by its proximity to the M8 motorway, is a pollution hotspot. Walker and Bromwich used the underground route of the hidden Molendinar Burn to reimagine this area as a place of ecological importance and community connection. By highlighting the hidden waterway, the project explored Glasgow’s natural geography and created a dialogue about air and water quality and how we move through our urban spaces.

Working closely with Sunnyside Primary School, the artists delivered creative mapping and cycling sessions that allowed P6 and P7 pupils to follow the course of the burn from Blackhill, building awareness of local environmental issues while developing cycling confidence. The artists also engaged with adults from the Milnbank Housing Association Health Walks Group, the Carntyne Walking Group, the Molendinar Community Centre Art Club, and local litter-picking groups. A walking event tracing the burn’s hidden path became a space for conversation on place, pollution, and climate change.

Workshops in visual campaigning, mapping and creative expression allowed participants to reflect on their surroundings and make their voices heard. This activity culminated in a public presentation at the Parents for Future Scotland event in April 2024.

Walker and Bromwich also fostered international exchange, connecting communities in North Glasgow with counterparts in Indonesia. Through a collaboration with artist Vincent Rumahloine from Rakarsa Arts Foundation in Bandung, young people from Sunnyside School of Conservation exchanged environmentally themed postcards and stories with Pertiwi Elementary School. This creative dialogue centred on shared experiences of air and water pollution, river and motorway systems, and climate justice. The project will culminate in the co-creation of public art and a short documentary.

A special thanks to community partners, supporters and contributors:  Alexandra Park Bike Hub | Cranhill Parish Church | Cycle Scotland | Free Wheel |Avenues Project Glasgow City Council | Rakarsa Arts Foundation, Bandung, Indonesia | Mainstay Trust Ltd | On-Bikes | Sunnyside Primary School of Conservation | British Council | Mainstay Trust Ltd.