At The Glasgow School of Art’s Winter Graduation, by the authority of the senate of the University of Glasgow, the GSA conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters on Fraser Stewart in recognition of his commitment to developing sustainable neighbourhoods, high quality design and construction and as a leader in urban development and regeneration.
Fraser Stewart was appointed Director of New Gorbals Housing Association at its inception in 1992 and has been integral to the development of the Association’s structure, ethos and strategic priorities. In this role for the past 30 years, he has redefined the parameters of urban regeneration in Scotland by empowering the Gorbals community to shape its own future and transform the area with the development of over 1,000 new homes and the completion of major environmental projects. Under his leadership, New Gorbals Housing Association has invested over £180m in housing projects, gained recognition for its outstanding contributions to the community and received multiple design awards – including 6 Saltire, 2 Civic Trust, 1 Scottish Design and the RTPI New Neighbourhood Award for the creation of the best neighbourhood in the UK in 2005.
In her oration, Professor Sally Stewart, Head of the Mackintosh School of Architecture reflected on his impact, saying that “over the last thirty years, Fraser Stewart has established new approaches to regeneration and urban place making, rebuilding the Gorbals to address the contemporary needs and aspirations of its community, demonstrating that social housing can be the best available to anyone. He has supported a community to determine what it wants for itself, and enabled design and construction professionals to realise that vision, all the time demanding the highest quality possible.”
On receiving the honorary doctorate, Fraser Stewart reflected that “ I am deeply honoured and so proud to receive this doctorate and accept it with deference to the many incredible volunteers in the Gorbals community who employ me and have inspired me to get the very best out of our fine Glasgow architects.”
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