River Clyde 2050

River Clyde Development Corridor SDF Map

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The following priorities have been identified and will guide the next phase of transformational regeneration

• Priority 1: Recognising the River Corridor as a major regeneration project of regional and national significance.

• Priority 2: Unlocking sustainable development along the River Corridor by addressing immediate challenges, and developing a long-term, responsive approach to manage the predicted increase in flooding in future years. 

• Priority 3: Promoting a design-led, placemaking approach to enhance and protect the townscape, heritage and environment of the River Corridor while delivering a well-connected and liveable city.

There are significant opportunities to direct future investment and to guide the strategic direction of the  River Corridor  as a major regeneration project of regional and national significance.

In particular:

• The banks and communities along the River Corridor, particularly those historically associated with heavy engineering activity, have the potential to support inclusive economic growth benefitting those currently marginalised spatially and economically.

• There are a number of major Masterplanning areas along the River Corridor. A strategic overview is required to co-ordinate and guide development, and to ensure appropriate flood risk adaptation and surface water management.

• There is scope for increased cultural and leisure activity, which could increase vibrancy and encourage a greater number of visitors to the river. The quality of the environment and of walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure is critical to this.

• The securing of inward investment for major infrastructure improvements through the City Deal programme seeks to address the structural integrity of quay walls, enhance pedestrian and cycle connectivity along the banks of the river, unlock the development potential of vacant and derelict land, and improve place quality.

• The adopted  City Development Plan  seeks to create and maintain high quality, healthy places, and to develop a compact city form that supports sustainable development. The redevelopment of brownfield land within the River Corridor is critical to the delivery of this vision.

• The River Corridor forms part of a wider network of urban waterways which includes the River Kelvin, the Forth and Clyde Canal and the White Cart River. This presents a unique opportunity to consider a city-scale, high quality, green, blue and grey movement network through the inner urban area, enhancing connectivity between open spaces, town centres, employment and education hubs and attractions.

• The SDF establishes the framework for a collaborative approach and encourages the creation of a multi-agency group to drive, deliver and support the long term vision for the River Corridor.

Our vision is for the River Corridor to become a vibrant, inclusive, liveable and well-connected place. It will be a world-class destination at the heart of the city, with an accessible waterfront and attractive spaces where people will want to spend time. It will be climate-resilient and support a mix of uses. New houses and flats will be linked to existing neighbourhoods. The historic character will be protected and enhanced, while innovative design will help create a distinct identity.

The River Corridor will form part of a wider network of urban waterways, will support continuous walking and cycling routes, and will be celebrated as the city’s largest, continuous open space. 

The River Corridor will be a vibrant, attractive destination which supports inclusive economic growth. The strategic approach seeks to:

• Realise potential and unlock development
• Promote a new approach to growing the place
• Activate the water

The River Corridor will balance environmental, social and economic pressures to create liveable, inclusive and distinctive places. The strategic approach seeks to:

• Support a higher density and a mix of uses
• Promote climate responsive design
• Create a distinctive townscape, and protect and enhance historic character

The River Corridor will be well-connected and link people, places and natural habitats. The strategic approach seeks to:

• Create seamless walking and cycling routes
• Cluster activities and link people to jobs, town centres and public transport
• Bring people to the river

The River Corridor will provide integrated, high quality, green, blue and grey infrastructure that helps deliver climate change adaptation and promotes health and wellbeing. The strategic approach seeks to:

• Advocate climate readiness
• Create a network of open spaces
• Promote nature-based solutions

This Strategic Development Framework sets out the overarching vision and key outcomes for the next phase of transformational regeneration of the River Clyde Development Corridor.

The Council will continue to work with its partners to deliver this vision and outcomes, to address the complexity of issues and to take full advantage of emerging opportunities. This will require co-ordination and a range of interventions, mechanisms and approaches including: 

• Infrastructure Improvements - Future flood-level predictions on the River Corridor will require significant and bold interventions to help adapt and alleviate flood risk. Interventions will include infrastructure improvements as part of a long term strategy, such as works to improve quay walls through the City Deal programme. 

• Development - The policies and guidance contained in the CDP, associated Supplementary Guidance and the area-specific guidance for the River Corridor set out in this SDF provide a robust planning framework to support the delivery of outcomes through the Council’s development management function. 

• Further Studies and Investigations -These will be prepared to inform the development of specific sites and locations, and to guide decisions such as the long-term management of flood risk including the future of the existing weir, and the option of a relocated weir/tidal barrage and its potential value and impact. 

• Local, Regional and National Projects and Activities - Whilst resources are limited, the Council will lead on a number of further studies and work in partnership with others to explore innovative means of unlocking regeneration opportunities and funding sources. At a regional level, collaboration with a number of agencies can provide a coordinated approach. Nationally, the Scottish Government and other organisations can help provide direction, guidance and support for major projects. 

The River Clyde Strategic Development Framework (SDF) seeks to position the River Corridor in Glasgow as a vibrant, inclusive, liveable and well-connected place.

To help realise this vision, the SDF proposes a River Activation Programme to support temporary interventions on vacant or under used sites along the River Corridor.

Key priorities under the River Activation Programme include:

• Bringing activity to the river and animating the waterfront through temporary use.
• Encouraging greater use of the River Corridor at different times of the day.
• Engaging with local communities in the River Corridor and wider Glasgow City.
• Enhancing the city's relationship with the River and improving access by local and wider communities.
• Supporting a healthy environment along the River through an enhanced natural environment.

•  River Activation Programme 

The River Rooms are ‘character areas’ along the River Corridor. They are defined by their location and by shared characteristics, such as historic buildings, activities and uses, extent of vacant and derelict land, and current condition.

The River Room Placemaking Guidance is underpinned by a design led approach that focuses on opportunities to:

• RECONNECT -Many of the development sites along the River Corridor are detached and dislocated from surrounding neighbourhoods. Their integration - or reintegration - with the river as the front door, is key to the evolution of the River Corridor as a liveable, welcoming and vibrant place. 

• REPAIR AND DENSIFY - Many areas have suffered from a lack of investment, and a resulting physical decline. Subsequent demolitions and piecemeal developments have eroded the built form, the natural environment and the quality of place. In such areas, consideration should be given to how best to repopulate and repair the urban fabric, to maximise its potential, and to increase vibrancy.

• REINVENT - The economy of the River Corridor has evolved over recent decades, and the city is increasingly developing as a centre of innovation. However, some locations have failed to adapt to the changing economic context and are now redundant. Meanwhile, others have become so specialised that they no longer function as dynamic and sustainable neighbourhoods. 

• REACTIVATE - There are key segments of the River Corridor which currently present little opportunity for social interaction, recreational use or pedestrian and cycle movement. The aim is to reanimate these areas by introducing a mix of uses, at different scales and over different time frames, and by supporting a diverse range of activities. 

• REFINE AND ENHANCE - There are many areas along the River Corridor which present strong attributes, including historic buildings, public transport hubs, employment locations, vibrant neighbourhoods and natural habitats. The aim is to build on these core strengths and increase resilience by supporting a diversity of use, and by reinforcing distinct identity through a placemaking approach.

• RECONFIGURE - Much of the River Corridor’s existing built form continues to be defined by its industrial legacy and function as a transport corridor. Some of the existing conditions are no longer appropriate for a central urban district. The river’s overall quality of place and permeability will be improved through a placemaking approach. Opportunities for the reconfiguration of sites, buildings and the urban form should be explored.

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 River Design Guidance  has been prepared for the River Corridor. It seeks to ensure that development is not only flood resilient, but also achieves the aims set out in the River Clyde SDF, including active frontages and quality of place.

The River Design Guidance sets out:

• A process for developing proposals.
• Guidance to support a River Park along the River Corridor.
• General principles for integrating placemaking with sustainable, flood-resilient design.

Here you will find information on key documents and links to relevant key policies:

Strategic and Local Development Frameworks (SDFs) links:

•  River Clyde Development Corridor 
•  Govan Partick 
•  City Centre 

Design Documents:

•  Designing with Water - Design Guidance for Glasgow's River Corridor 

•  Placemaking Part 1  and
•  Placemaking Part 2 

Development Plan, Supplementary Guidance and City Deal links:

•  City Development Plan 
•  Placemaking Part 1 and Part 2 
•  Sustainable Spatial Strategy 
•  River Activation Programme 
•  The Glasgow City Region City Deal 
•  Waterfront and West End Innovation Quarter City Deal Programme 
•  Metropolitan Glasgow Strategic Drainage Partnership (MGSDP) 

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