Making better use of the ground beneath our cities; the Glasgow experience is that it helps to ASK… (lecture)

Dr Diarmad Campbell, British Geological Survey

Knowledge of the subsurface is a vital element in delivering successful construction and regeneration projects — yet poor understanding of ground conditions is widely recognised across the UK and Europe as the largest single cause of project delay, as well as overspending. To help address this, the British Geological Survey (BGS) has, through its Clyde-Urban Super-Project (CUSP), developed highly visual, and easy to use, city-scale 3D subsurface models and other geoscience datasets (geochemistry, groundwater, engineering geology etc.) in the Glasgow area. These have been providing new insights into Glasgow’s complex superficial deposits and bedrock, the impacts of its industrial legacy, and opportunities for harnessing heat energy that lies beneath the city. Glasgow City Council (GCC) has been a key strategic partner throughout this work, as have many others involved in the development and regeneration of Glasgow. The models are the most comprehensive of their type yet produced in the UK. To make the models and related data more accessible, and to encourage greater use and re-use, of subsurface information, BGS and GCC have established ASK (Accessing Subsurface Knowledge). ASK is a data and knowledge exchange network involving local and regulatory authorities, private developers and their consultants and contractors, and researchers. ASK promotes a digital free flow of subsurface data and knowledge between its partners, for their mutual benefit. The lessons being learnt in Glasgow are also now being shared more widely through a related European COST Action (Sub-Urban) which focuses on sustainable use of the urban subsurface.