Did you know that, since 1974, World Environment Day has been celebrated on 5 June? This year the theme is biodiversity and you can test your knowledge in the online United Nations quiz.
The Archives holds collections that may be of interest to people researching biodiversity in the Swansea area. One collection of particular interest is the Lower Swansea Valley Project (LSVP). The focus of this collection, as the name suggests, is the Lower Swansea Valley which is found to the east of Swansea city centre, running along the valley floor and sides of the River Tawe.
This area underwent industrialisation, primarily relating to the copper and other metal industries, from the early 18th century, before a steady decline in the early-20th century. Deindustrialisation left behind a landscape of industrial decay – derelict works and mills, spoil heaps and severe pollution. The LSVP aimed to remove the industrial dereliction and pollution and to return the valley to active use.
In the early 1960s the LSVP got under way with a partnership between
- the University of Wales Swansea (now Swansea University),
- the Nuffield Foundation,
- the Welsh Office,
- Swansea Council, and
- the former Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.
Surveys were carried out in order to get an accurate picture and analysis of the valley in terms of physical environment, social environment and economic situation. The final report was produced in 1967, recommending that derelict areas in the valley should be acquired by a single authority (i.e. Swansea Council) in order to allow regeneration and development of the area as a whole. Swansea Council produced a Draft Development Plan and the reclamation of sites, leveling of land, introduction of a flood prevention scheme, new roads and river crossing and regeneration of the area has been going on since 1967.
In 2019 the Archives were pleased to work with a group of History MA students who chose to study the collection. Their website explored the background to the LSVP, as well as University (did you know that in the 1960s the University had an Eco-Society?) and community involvement. It describes different document types found in the collection, gives some ideas for future research projects, and even has a couple of word searches in the Kids’ Corner. Do take a look at their website as well as the online catalogue to find out more about this revealing collection.
Since 2010, Swansea University has developed a new programme of research, community engagement and heritage led regeneration to celebrate the copper industry. The impact of this work has been significant in the ongoing development at the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks site with future plans including creative workshops, inspiring workspace, educational facilities, more housing, community facilities and a living history laboratory developed in sympathy with the historical character of the site.