On the edge of the River Clyde lies a piece of forgotten industrial history: the Govan Graving Docks. Once central to Scotland’s thriving shipbuilding industry, these docks are now at a critical point in their maritime legacy. A significant planning decision looms, which could either spark a community-led revitalisation or see the area fall victim to gentrification. The site, like Schrödinger's Cat, teeters between life and death, awaiting its fate in the hands of urban planners, developers, and local communities.

For years, the docks, constructed between 1869 and 1897, played a vital role in servicing and repairing ships. But as Glasgow’s shipbuilding industry declined, so did the docks. They have since fallen into disrepair, fenced off and largely forgotten. Despite their deterioration, the docks remain a symbol of the area’s rich maritime heritage - and an increasingly contested site for urban development.

Today, Govan’s local communities are fighting for a voice in the docks’ future. As Glasgow’s waterfront undergoes regeneration, the stakes are high. The area, just 2.5 miles from the city centre, represents prime real estate, but it is also located in one of the city’s most socio-economically disadvantaged areas. Residents face the real risk of being pushed out by luxury developments, their voices drowned out by powerful developers and political interests.

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Does Glasgow need its own Andy Burnham-style mayor?

The Govan Graving Docks have languished for decades, but the site is now the focus of competing visions. On one side, the community and local activists argue for a sustainable, heritage-led redevelopment. They see the docks as a public asset that could serve as a mixed-use site, incorporating cultural, environmental, and community spaces. On the other side,........

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