DERELICT space in the East End of Glasgow will be transformed into the city's newest park.

The new greenspace is planned to mark Glasgow's ambition to be one of the top green cities in Europe.

As part of Glasgow's Green Year 2015 celebrations, a new community park will be created on the site of the former Barrowfield Street bus park.

Spearheading the celebrations is Councillor Liz Cameron, chairwoman of Green Year.

She said: "A wonderful array of events and projects are being planned around the city.

"I'm thrilled that some community groups are already organising their own activities and weaving sustainability through existing events.

"Glasgow's Green Year 2015 will build on the momentum created by the Commonwealth Games and showcase how people and partnerships are at the heart of our ongoing sustainable development."

Next year, Glasgow will celebrate Greenock-born engineer James Watt's contribution to science and engineering and the current green revolution which is taking inspiration from his pioneering work.

Watt (1736-1819) is said to have had his idea to improve early steam engines while walking on the Green.

As part of the celebrations, Glasgow Green will host a festival celebrating all aspects of the city's science and engineering heritage.

Glasgow's Green Year 2015 is being backed by Unitar, the training arm of the United Nations.

Alex Mejia, of Unitar, travelled to Glasgow yesterday to join delegates at a conference in the Lighthouse, where plans for Green Year 2015 were officially launched.

He said: "From the UN perspective, 2015 will be a momentous year.

"Glasgow Green Year will be timely aligned with the critical international debates and will showcase the city's approach to green innovation, carbon emissions reduction and climate change adaptation.

"We are proud to be associated with the Green Year 2015 through our affiliated office CIFAL Scotland."

Organisers have promised a packed calendar of events around the "green theme".

A Green Year mobile phone app is being developed, which will enable people to keep up-to-speed with the activities, as well as picking up tips on how to become more environmentally aware.

Meanwhile, a major Green Jobs Fair is also in the pipeline, to highlight the employment opportunities on offer in Glasgow's renewable energy sector.

rebecca.gray@ eveningtimes.co.uk