By 2020, the Glasgow Canal Regeneration Project aims to transform the canal into a fantastic waterside environment that will bring benefits to those living and working in Glasgow, whilst providing special destinations for visitors to the city. Sustainability in its widest sense will lie at the heart of this European scale initiative, with the project being guided by exemplar regeneration, environmental and design principles.

The Canal Partnership Regeneration Area covers the area from Port Dundas/Sighthill, adjacent to the City Centre, to Maryhill Locks in the north and out to Milton, Lambhill and Cadder.

Masterplans have been approved for the development of Maryhill Locks and Spiers Locks on the Forth and Clyde Canal in the city. These are the first two of a number of masterplans for the Partnership area.

The briefs for and outcomes of the masterplans were prepared by the Canal Regeneration Partnership (a Joint Venture Partnership between Glasgow City Council and ISIS Waterside Regeneration, supported by British Waterways Scotland) working with local residents and stakeholders.

The Maryhill Locks Masterplan aims to deliver:

• New waterside neighbourhoods providing a range of housing for rent and for sale (700 homes)
• Houses which will appeal to families and streets which allow children to play safely
• An area of outstanding environmental quality, with open spaces, shops, cafes, and community uses

The Spiers Locks Masterplan aims to gradually change the area from a predominantly business and industrial area into:

• a bohemian neighbourhood on the edge of the city centre with culture and art at its heart
• Scotland's centre for creative industries
• A place with an interesting mix of uses based on a gritty canal-side industrial setting
• A fun place where giant, illuminated metal flowers provide part of an improved streetscape where arts events will become an everyday thing

The area is already home to Scottish Opera, and GAMTA (Glasgow Academy of Musical Theatre Arts). The Canal Partnership have recently helped the National Theatre for Scotland move into refurbished premises in the area and hope to announce the arrival of more arts and creative companies very soon.

Plans are also being worked on for:

• A £2.2m water sports centre - The Glasgow Paddlesports Centre - which will provide a year-round base for the development of canoeing and kayaking.  It is proposed that the centre will feature a whitewater course, canoe polo pitches and amenities for swiftwater rescue training.  The venue is seen as key in the wider regeneration of the Speirs Locks to Maryhill canal corridor; and
• An artificial whitewater course beside the canal at Maryhill Locks.  The course would recreate some of the best drops and pools from around the world and will create an exciting whitewater experience in the city.

In addition to this, the Partnership has been focused on bringing significant improvement to the general environmental quality of the canal corridor, its towpath and accesses and the heritage and infrastructure of the Canal.

The Partnership has also reflected the desire evidenced from community consultation to bring vibrancy, activity and a sense of place back to the Canal and is currently pursuing a number of unique project opportunities, a major feature bridge project for Maryhill Town Centre known as "The Big Man", together with regular annual festival events.

The Canal Partnership would like to hear from any other interested parties who would like to become part of Glasgow's latest creative quarter.

If you want to find out more visit - www.glasgowcanal.co.uk