ABSTRACT
The Scottish Development Agency was set up under a Labour administration in 1975 to further economic development, generate and safeguard employment, promote industrial efficiency and improve the environment. The greening of cities with the help of programmes of environmental improvement has become a significant part of urban renewal in the UK and many other parts of Europe in the past few years. Maintenance of the existing improved environment will continue to incur costs whatever arrangements for handover may be developed. Environmental work has provided a vehicle for social and community development. The approach to environmental improvement in the Glasgow Eastern Area Renewal (GEAR) area falls a long way short of the full development of a philosophy based on ideas of greening to reduce pollution, and provide closer contact with nature and the changing seasons. The GEAR programme demonstrates a difference in style from much work carried out by local authorities in England.
