British Council Scotland - Spiers Lock Regeneration

Ariel view of the proposed Speirs Lock Development © Reproduced Courtesy of 7N Architects

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.

7N Architects

Glasgow Canal Regeneration, a partnership between Glasgow City Council and ISIS Waterside Regeneration supported by British Waterways Scotland, appointed 7N Architects in 2009 to develop and deliver the regeneration strategy for Speirs Locks in Glasgow.

Creative Cities

Creative Cities is an international project designed and managed by the British Council. It shares experience across Europe on the ways in which creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation can help to improve people’s lives – making cities better places to live, work and play.

	British Council brings international experts canal-side

In an innovative collaboration between Architecture Design Scotland and creative organisations based in the Speirs Lock Area of North Glasgow, British Council Scotland is co-hosting, an international workshop into urban regeneration through culture in May.

Over the last few years Glasgow Canal Regeneration, a partnership between Glasgow City Council and ISIS Waterside have successfully negotiated a number of key building renovations in the Speirs Lock canal basin in North Glasgow.

Speirs Lock Masterplan 2008 © reproduced courtesy of 7N Architects

This has brought together The National Theatre of Scotland and Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in buildings adjacent to Scottish Opera’s workshops and rehearsal space. This creates a powerful creative force that the British Council, in partnership with Architecture Design Scotland, hopes to harness to help place-making in the basin.

The masterplan for the area by 7N Architects has already won a major architecture award. Their approach focussed on opening up new links and connections to the canal whilst cultivating the vibe of a cultural quarter through high profile arts and public realm initiatives.

Artist's impression of Speirs Lock waterfront © Reproduced courtesy of 7N Architects

This will encourage people to rediscover the area which would, in turn, drive the next stage of regeneration. This vision now needs implemented.

Through its Russia and Northern Europe Creative Cities regional project British Council is supporting an 'Urban Forum' on 12 - 13 May which links local and international expertise to learn from, and help kick start, the future regeneration of Speirs Lock.

Architects 7N, Glasgow City Council and the cultural bodies are working with David Barrie Associates to see how the creative talents and resources of the area can help shape this post-industrial site which has suffered from piece-meal development over the years.

By bringing together international place-making specialists with Scottish experts it is hoped that a mutual dialogue can help shape the Speirs Lock project and showcase Scottish regeneration expertise.

Steve Dunlop, Director Scotland at British Waterways said: 'Our aim is to ensure that we create a thriving canal-side environment that will bring benefits to the people of Glasgow for generations to come.

'Following on from the new canal basin at Port Dundas this masterplan marks the next significant step in this process, with a design that encompasses the uniqueness of the canal's rich past, history and heritage, and also includes the current needs of the community and local businesses. The proposed developments at Speirs Locks represent the kind of future we want, and are committed to delivering for this area.'

For more information on the Urban Forum and our Creative Cities project telephone Conor Snowden on +44 (0)131 524 5758 or email conor.snowden@britishcouncil.org.