Sauchiehall Lane, Glasgow

Graffiti writers are a relatively unknown group for this type of values research and Sauchiehall Lane provided an opportunity to explore how formal heritage and conservation approaches might apply to graffiti heritage contexts.

The study commenced with a transect walk through the site and part of the surrounding area with one respondent. This was followed up by a physical traces mapping to record evidence of activity and establish a baseline record of the works in the Lane.

Observation at the site thereafter was limited to short visits due to safety concerns around spending time alone or after dark in the Lanes (the study was conducted during the winter months) and did not include observation of graffiti writing practices. It was possible to observe graffiti writers engaged in practice at a public event, a ‘graffiti jam’ held at a legal wall in Edinburgh.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with members of the graffiti community, planning practitioners, representatives of local community councils and official bodies. Respondents from within the graffiti community were identified using a referral or snowball method.

Online public participatory media was particularly important in this case, as the photo-sharing platform Instagram was used by photographers (from various communities, as well as those identifying as ‘street photographers’) and graffiti writers, to share images of the Lane. A basic content analysis was undertaken of images tagged #SauchiehallLane and the associated likes and comments.

A proposal to use a participatory mapping approach to identify significant works or places of practice, was discussed with members of the graffiti community, but they identified potential concerns and the method was not trialled.

Discussion on the draft site report took place over email and Instagram messenger, which was some writers preferred means of contact.

The Lane is a place of residence (tenanted and owner-occupied), employment and opportunity for a number of very different communities. Some of these had been approached and engaged through the Lanes Strategy development and consultations. Others, although visible, remain marginalised or are characterised as part of the ‘problems’ associated with the Lane.

Communities of interest, identity and geography identified during this case study are:

school pupils
university/college students
temporary residents
recently-arrived residents
longer-term residents
displaced residents
absentee landlords
homeless people
office workers
catering workers
service industry workers
business owners
photographers
street artists
graffiti artists
club and pub goers
tourists
commuters

The research identified a diversity of social values associated with the Lane. Key findings:

• The Lane is part of a complex, interconnected, urban location and its significance is inseparable from the wider social and physical context.
• There is a strong sense of ownership of the Lane as a public space.
• Various communities use the Lane to assert local knowledge, community identity and belonging.
• Within the communities there are graduations, of belonging, of permanence, of establishment and of engagement. Significantly, although there is a large resident population, several of the groups identified are not defined by living in close proximity to the Lane.
• Some values are shared across communities but there are also tensions, between and within groups.
• The Lane is seen as having potential to foster artistic expression and creativity.

There was a particular focus in this study on identifying the value of Sauchiehall Lane to the graffiti community and its importance to Glasgow’s graffiti heritage. Key findings:

• There are complex interactions between graffiti practice and place.
• City-centre locations like the Lane are important in the formation of identity and negotiation of community relationships.
• Aspects of graffiti heritage follow an oral tradition, which makes them difficult to evidence or record using a place-based lens and ‘mapping’ approaches. 

This report provides a stepping off point for further research or future actions. It concludes with some of the implications of the findings. Key points:

• Changes to the Lane are likely to impact on its social value to multiple communities.
• There is cross-community support for more creative spaces and improvements to infrastructure.
• Irrespective of ownership, various communities consider the City to be accountable for the maintenance and improvement of this ‘public’ space.
• Potential challenges in engaging target communities in the implementation of the Lanes Strategy include negative attitudes towards authority-led initiatives among artists and residents.