Dr Hoolachan will discuss how we can design urban spaces that not only manage rainfall but embrace it, creating a city that is more liveable, resilient and responsive to the needs of its communities.

The talk is based on his influential report, which Glasgow City Council (Living With Rain) passed a motion on and inspired a sound art album, and moves beyond technical drainage to focus on the everyday lived experience of a wet climate.

Before and after the talk you can drop in to the access centre to hear the sound piece ‘Experiences of Rain’. This piece was co-created with the National Library of Scotland by a group of artists in Glasgow.

In the piece, people from different cultures and backgrounds exchange ideas and stories about the meaning of rain. Rain emerges as a shared heritage, told through personal memories, songs and myths.

‘Experiences of Rain’ was produced for the National Library of Scotland exhibition ‘Rain’ which opens at George IV Bridge, Edinburgh on 17 June.

It was funded by the American Patrons of the National Library and Galleries of Scotland and Scotland’s Green Libraries Grant Fund.

Check out other Heritage Talks at WestFest at Kelvin Hall

About the speaker: – Dr Andrew Hoolachan

Dr Andrew Hoolachan is a Lecturer in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Glasgow. He is a Chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and an academician of the Academy of Urbanism.

Part of WestFest 1 – 28 June, 2026