History
	The River Lagan in 1980's		The River Lagan today
Belfast is a relatively young city having undergone tremendous growth and change in the last few centuries. The River Lagan has always played a key role in the development of the city. Indeed the city started life as a small settlement on the banks of the River Farset and the River Lagan, where the Lagan Lookout Visitor Centre is situated today. The 19th century and the coming of the Industrial Revolution saw Belfast change from a small town to a major world-recognised port. Industries such as shipbuilding, linen, rope-making and tobacco blossomed, and throughout the city there was evidence of increased wealth and prosperity. However, over the years Belfast turned its back on its river and the River Lagan became viewed as nothing more than an industrial thoroughfare with muddy polluted water, its riverbanks neglected and derelict. Laganside started life as the 1987 Laganside Concept Plan, which looked at ways of improving the quality of the River Lagan and redeveloping the lands along its banks to bring about a much-needed renaissance. Laganside’s first project, the Lagan Weir, completed in March 2004, breathed new life into the river and became the catalyst for the redevelopment of the whole area, allowing Laganside’s vision to become reality.