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. The masterplan covers a 14 hectare site to the north of the city centre, adjacent to the Forth and Clyde Canal. It was developed following an extensive process of
engagement with local residents, businesses and stakeholders from which a strategy called “Growing the Place” evolved. The 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. This will encourage people to rediscover the area which would, in turn, drive the next stage of regeneration. The design was
developed in collaboration with landscape architects Rankin Fraser and public art strategists KOAN3. In 2009 the project won both the BURA (British Urban Regeneration Association) award for Strategy and Masterplanning and was selected by the Scottish Government as a Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative (SSCI) 'Exemplar' project, to promote exemplars of how communities could live in the future.
