SPS Site Brief 2025

Partick and Govan are two distinct neighbourhoods of Glasgow that have historically been separated from each other. The only connections were a seasonal ferry, the Subway, or by driving under the Clyde Tunnel which is far to the west of both neighbourhoods. Both neighbourhoods were distinct from Glasgow until the city boundaries were expanded in 1912 to incorporate them. By this point they two boroughs had already established significant civic assets like libraries, town halls, churches and schools – the strong local identity of both boroughs is still apparent today.

The Govan-Partick pedestrian bridge will opened in Spring 2024 in the context of broader regeneration of both areas, with 10-year economic investment totalling £1.5bn. It has transformed pedestrian connections in the West of Glasgow.

While regeneration has distinctly local impacts such as direct pedestrian connections, environmental improvements, new housing, and public realm enhancements, Govan-Partick is a strategic area for the growth of Glasgow’s economy. It sits within the Clyde Riverside Innovation District which includes the University’s of Glasgow’s forthcoming ‘Living Lab’ innovation Campus for engineering and medical sciences. Unlocking pedestrian access will also have profound impacts on accessibility for residents in the West End and Govan, thereby integrated the housing and jobs markets of both areas as well as the cultural and leisure amenities that both areas provide.

Despite the opportunities, the area has many challenges. Both sites contain physical and social legacies inherited from their traditional industrial economies. These include significant vacant and derelict land (VDL) and entrenched pockets of deprivation. There are also some flooding risks on some parcels of land. There are also vocal worries from Govan residents about the threat of housing gentrification and displacement.