Glasgow is the master of reinvention

News Release:  Issued 01 September 2009

River Clyde tops regeneration poll

The River Clyde has been voted Glasgow’s best reinvention by the city’s residents.

A Scottish Opinion poll for Registers of Scotland (RoS) found one third of Glaswegians believe the Clyde’s regeneration has ensured it will remain at the heart of the city for years to come.

The research follows the launch of a unique installation, Foundation Glasgow – the Growth of a City.  Using a mixture of audio visual techniques it tells, for the first time, the story of Glasgow’s beginning as a small fishing village through to the changes projected to take place for the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

The River Clyde has been Glasgow’s gateway to the world, growing from a shallow salmon river to a major port, importing and exporting goods all over the world.  During the 19th and 20th centuries 30,000 ships were built on the river and more than 50,000 locomotives exported. 

Now, £5 billion of investment is transforming the river again with housing, offices and leisure developments along 20 kilometres of water.

RoS are staging the free exhibition ‘Foundation Glasgow – the Growth of a City’, at their Customer Service Centre at 9 George Square, Glasgow.

It depicts Glasgow as the master of reinvention, developing from a small settlement on the banks of the river, to a Royal burgh and academic centre to merchant trader and on to become the world’s greatest shipbuilding centre. 

The 21st century has seen Glasgow reinvent itself again into a cultural and digital hub and will be a centre of excellence for sports following the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

The poll found the restoration of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery was a close second for Glaswegians with a quarter of those asked voting for it as their favourite revitalised landmark.  A £27.9 million refurbishment completed in 2006 has made the museum one of the UK’s most popular attractions.

One in five people said the transformation of the Merchant City into a culture venue was their favourite while 12 percent voted for Scotland’s premier shopping destination, Buchanan Street.

The re-development of the New Gorbals came fifth with 5 percent of the vote. 
Sheenagh Adams, the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland, said:  “Foundation brings the story of Glasgow to life. It captures the history and spirit of the city from its birth as a small fishing village on the banks of the River Clyde through to it being named as the venue of the Commonwealth Games in 2014.  The River Clyde has always been at the heart of Glasgow and its regeneration throughout the years has ensured it remains in the hearts of Glaswegians too.”

Professor Michael Pacione, Chair of Geography at the University of Strathclyde, said Glasgow’s title as a master of reinvention is well deserved.

He said:  “Cities that thrive are the ones that are able to adapt to economic and social changes throughout the years.  Glasgow's location on the River Clyde contributed to its success in the 19th and 20th centuries but as its traditional industries declined it has been able to reinvent itself and offer new employment opportunities to its residents and businesses. 

“Being forward-looking and responsive to change has ensured the city is still flourishing more than a thousand years after St Mungo first arrived."

Ends

NOTE TO NEWS EDITORS –

For further information, please contact Lee-Ann Fullerton or Celina Wilson at Consolidated PR on 0141 285 6479  or 0131 240 6420 or email Lee-Ann@consolidatedpr.com / celinaw@consolidatedpr.com.

Images are available on request.

Foundation Glasgow – the Growth of a City is a free exhibition currently on show at the RoS Customer Service Centre, 9 George Square, Glasgow, everyday from 3 August 2009 until 13 September 2009.  Viewings are half-hourly from 10am with the last viewing at 3.30pm.  Bookings can made by calling 0141 251 0993 (from 9am - 5pm) or email ros@adeptmg.com.

RoS is the government department responsible for compiling and maintaining registers relating to property and other legal documents in Scotland. RoS records and safeguards rights whilst providing open access to information on the registers.

The omnibus survey was conducted by Scottish Opinion Ltd between 5-11 August 2009 of 455 people across Strathclyde including 154 in Glasgow.

The full results were:

The River Clyde                     32 percent
Kelvingrove Art Gallery         24 percent
Merchant City                        23 percent
Buchanan Street                   12 percent
The New Gorbals                  5 Percent
None of these                        3 percent
Unsure                                    1 percent