THE regeneration of the former Ravenscraig steelworks site is one of the biggest rebuilding projects ever to take place in Scotland.
The plan which no-one in the town ever wanted to see because most believe the steelworks should have remained and had a viable future, is about more than bricks and mortar.
The closure of the giant plant and the subsequent closure of businesses in the supply chain and others in the area led to a decline so steep that the usual responses to an employer closing down was never going to be enough.
More than 20 years later the rebirth of Ravenscraig is still taking shape, and is an example that these projects can happen, but not overnight.
The decision to close Ravenscraig has had implications that continue to this day, but the regeneration is the beginning of Motherwell and Lanarkshire fighting back and building for the future.
It is an example to others, like Glasgow and the east end with ambitious plans with hopes pinned on the Commonwealth Games, that perseverance is needed and that big things are achievable.
Despite being dealt one of the biggest blows ever to hit an entire region, Lanarkshire never gave up and hopefully its people can see a better future ahead.