After recently visiting Melbourne, a vibrant, cosmopolitan city based around the river Yarra with bar and restaurant lined pedestrian walkways, I began to wonder why Glasgow doesn't make the most of the Clyde.
Glasgow has a lot in common with Melbourne. Both the best city but not most famous city in their country. Sydney has the Opera House and Edinburgh has the castle but what Melbourne and Glasgow both have is style, a vibrant social scene and substance.
Now, after many years of dereliction caused by the decline of shipbuilding, the Clyde is to being redeveloped Yarra style, mirroring the Docklands scheme in London.
The earliest development was the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) in 1985. The 1990s brought the Science Centre, Glasgow Tower and the new headquarters for BBC Scotland and STV forming a new "media village".
Further west, Glasgow Harbour has been one of the most controversial property developments in the city. It has been criticised by local residents who claim the Clydeside luxury flats do not contribute anything to the community of Partick due to their isolated location at the other side of the A814. A recent BBC documentary suggested the flats have a life span of 50 years, incredible when you consider the price of the properties.
There is no doubt the complex is impressive to look at. I visited one of the apartments a few years ago and was bowled over by its floor to ceiling windows with stunning views of the Clyde and the Govan shipyards, without a doubt the flat's best feature.
Only time will tell if Glasgow Harbour was the first step in revitalising the city or a short sighted decision that will make our grandchildren curse us for being a bunch of fools who ruined their river. read more