East Ayrshire deprivation
A map highlighting the spread of deprivation within East Ayrshire. Rankinston ranks in the lowest 10% for Access to Services in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivations (SIMD).
East Ayrshire Case Study
East Ayrshire
JUST-Systems will work with communities to develop options around new local distribution networks, housing and infrastructure and community-based generation.
You can read the full case study profile here.
Image - Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation for East Ayrshire
Case Study introduction and background
The Case study is focused around the council’s CoRE programme, which “aims to showcase how a green recovery can transform rural towns and villages, creating better-connected and healthier communities and improve the standard of living, through a just transition, and supporting the creation of long-term sustainable jobs.”
The CoRE programme consists of several projects around housing retrofit, whole place decarbonisation, EV car club, active travel and a centre of excellence for skills.
For JUST-systems, we are primarily focussing on the whole place decarbonisation project based in the village of Rankinston.
Photo - Rankinston social housing
Key issues and systematic interventions proposed
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Thus, through the collaboration of JUST-systems and CoRE, and by working closely with the community, there is an opportunity to address these intersecting challenges and co-create a more just, sustainable future for the village as part of a transition to net zero.
Our case study is somewhat unique to the project, in that the public body has an intervention funded and planned in the CoRE programme. In JUST-systems, by utilising a critical systems thinking approach we can collaborate to transform the programme as it stands, into one that is more just and systemic. Thus, we are informing and contributing to the project, whilst also critically analysing the existing systems that have led to this point, and will very likely constrict and impact upon how systemic, and how just the outputs tied to CoRE are able to be.
Photo - "Rankinston pit bing" by Mary and Angus Hogg is licenced under CC BY-SA 2.0
Current progress
Throughout the latter half of 2026, environmental monitoring devices are to be installed within homes in the village as a first stage, in order to attain bespoke fabric assessments. In advance of this stage, we are collecting the lived experiences of residents, and embarking on a journey of field work to better understand what a just sustainable future in Rankinston looks like according to its people. This will involve utilising critical systems thinking concepts such as the boundary critique, and the ‘is’ ‘ought’ heuristics approach by running workshops, and participatory mapping exercise.
Photo - Rankinston former post office shop
Images
Rankinston Community Centre
The Centre is at the heart of the village, managed by the community and being one of the only remaining gathering spaces. It hosts a larder as well as many community and family orientated events.
Rankinston social housing
Of the 137 properties in Rankinston, the East Ayrshire Council owns 93. The village is off-gas grid and as a result has a high level of heat pump instalment, but energy bills remain very high for residents.
Rankinston former post office shop
This once served the village but has been closed and empty for some time. A community larder in the village has emerged in response, showcasing the resolve of the community to overcome these challenges.
Rankinston coal bing
The local coal bing, a mound of waste rock moved from coal mining operations, visible from the village. "Rankinston pit bing" by Mary and Angus Hogg is licenced under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Rankinston play park
Rankinston contains two playparks, which alongside the local primary school play a critical role in ensuring the future of the village as a place for families.
Rankinston main street
View down Kerse Terrace towards Littlemill Place, Rankinston's main street. "The main street, Rankinston" by Humphrey Bolton is licenced under CC BY-SA 2.0.