Connecting Cumbernauld

What is Cumbernauld, and more importantly, who is Cumbernauld?

Through conversing with the residents of the ‘satellite town’ I came to the conclusion that the people of Cumbernauld signify connectivity. Cumbernauld was built on a big idea; a revolutionary megastructure. But it was not built with community coming first so with the walls brought down and barriers removed, a cohesive city can be conceived for an already cohesive community. Cumbernauld has always been more than just an excerpt of Glasgow, but it’s time the machine became a reflection of not just the person, but the people; a connected town centre.

All too often have brutalist buildings been demolished and replaced, just to be yearned for instead of forgotten, simply because that identity was lost. Cumbernaulds physical identity has been built off of the town centre, and while the execution failed, the concept hasn’t. Despite the barriers it faces, ‘The Centre’ remains a gathering place for this community, and should be improved to reflect this connection, not reconceived. Connecting Cumbernauld will address the disconnect between the people and the bold, but outdated town centre. It will provide a stage for being involved in the communities decisions and connect to the rest of the city taking into account its demographic, but also expanding it in the process.