I started my PhD in 2021, right when we slowly started to transition to the post-pandemic climate. As we could not yet meet in person, I started the PhD as a 'distant' student. Over the past few years, I've travelled back and forth to Paisley to do fieldwork, visit spaces and document the changes in the town.

I actually came to Paisley in 2017 to pursue a Master in Cultural Diplomacy and International Events. During my time at the MA, I wrote my thesis about the concept of the Creative City, and the opportunities inherent to community-led spatial design to bring about this holistic urban ecology. I enjoyed writing about it so much that when this PhD opportunity came about I applied instantly, and was lucky enough to get in!

This PhD is not funded by the Council or any Scottish charity organisation. It is independent research performed by a student at the University of the West of Scotland.

I am very excited to take my passion on decaying spaces further after my PhD! While I have no concrete ideas yet on where to go next, my dream would be to work for an organisation where I can further map decaying spaces and be involved in fighting for their responsible re-use.

All the information on the about these spaces has been sourced from the Vacant and Derelict Land Strategy (2019 & 2022) and the Vacant and Derelict Land Survey (2022) and site register. Spaces in the strategy and survey are different from buildings included in other registers, such as the Buildings at Risk register, as the spaces included in the strategy and survey are not of monumental value and do not have a label of protected heritage.

The strategy and survey included many different vacant and derelict spaces from all over Renfrewshire. The database on this website only contains spaces that are situated in Paisley, and more specifically, spaces that are situated approximately 30 minutes from the Paisley city centre. This was done to make sure that the database in first instance would remain comprehensive, and allow community members the chance to add to the database with pictures and videos of spaces in their own neighbourhoods.

Not all of them. Some (which you can see by looking at the photos and videos in the gallery) have slowly started development or have been in development for quite some time. You can see this by scaffolding, or by builders/machines on the image/video. For instance, one of the spaces on East Lane has started being developed, and the TA Building on the High Street has been in scaffolding for quite a while.

Technically you could. For instance, there is funding available at Renfrewshire Council for initiatives to do with community empowerment. The funding schemes include: Funding for Villages, Green Spaces, Parks and Play Areas The Historic Buildings in Villages Grant The Community Asset Transfer The Common Good Property Fund However, it does need to be acknowledged that it takes quite a bit of work to get a clear and strong plan to take on a decaying site through one of these funding schemes. Perhaps, it would be interesting to think about whether we can make re-use easier, and how that can be done?

Of course you can! You can follow @hiddenspacespaisley on Instagram, use the hashtag #hiddenspacespaisley or reach out through this website to become involved. If you have interesting points of view to share about spaces or the regeneration in Paisley, or would like to send pictures to be displayed on the website or instagram then please reach out! I would love to hear from you.