Approval has been granted by Glasgow City Council's Executive Committee for Glasgow to become one of two UK cities participating in the UK - China urban development exchange programme.

The UK and China signed the China-UK Sustainable Development Dialogue in November 2005, establishing dialogue and partnership on the subject, with urban development being one of four themes.

The project sees collaboration on two main strands of urban development - the regeneration of older industrial cities and the provision of affordable housing for urban low-income households.

The focus of the project is on the practical experience of cities and businesses in delivering on these.

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It is recognised that the UK Government views this project as significant, in that it can provide practitioners in the public and private sectors with better skills and know-how in these areas.

Four cities have been invited to take part in the project - Glasgow, Nanjing, Sheffield and Wuhan. The intention is that case study visit will be made between the four cities, with other UK and Chinese cities to contribute shorter case studies.

The project would run until November 2008, when findings would be presented at the World Urban Forum in Nanjing.

The total cost of the project will be £80,000, with each city being asked to contribute a maximum of £10,000. The balance will be paid by the national governments.

Councillor George Ryan, Executive Member for Development and Regeneration at Glasgow City Council, said: "This project can develop both countries’ ability to regenerate and tackle housing problems in their cities.

"The chance for Glasgow to take the lead in this dialogue and strengthen our links with cities in China presents a range of business opportunities for firms in Glasgow."

(GK/JM)