Swansea 'unrecognisable' by 2020, council leader says Published duration 22 August 2015

image copyright Swansea council image caption The Swansea strategy looks ahead to 2020

The centre of Swansea will be unrecognisable by 2020 as the biggest transformation since World War Two takes shape, the city's council leader has said.

Seven schemes worth about £3bn are at varying stages of development.

They include Swansea University's second campus, a tidal lagoon and the St David's civic centre regeneration.

But it is understood even more plans are due to be unveiled in the future, adding to what is already taking place.

"It is the biggest landscape change since the Second World War," said Rob Stewart.

"When you look at Swansea then [after the blitz], there was one building left. Now the buildings here were built in the 1950s.

"There isn't one area of the city centre that wouldn't be touched by this development.

"It would be unrecognisable from even now."

Swansea University bay campus

image copyright Swansea University image caption Swansea University's new Bay Campus will open in September 2015

The 69-acre (28 hectare) site off Fabian Way will focus on science and innovation as well as providing student residences.

Cost: £450m Completion: 2015 with further £100m development planned on site and Singleton campus to be developed.

Swansea Bay tidal lagoon

World's first tidal lagoon power plant producing enough energy for more than 155,000 homes.

Cost: £1bn Start date: 2016

St David's and civic centre sites

image copyright Swansea council

A retail and leisure complex would be built on the St David's site with a walkway over the main road leading to the current civic centre site which would have public spaces, tourist attractions and homes.

Cost: £500m Start date: 2017

Kingsway

image copyright Swansea Council

The Kingsway could be transformed into a pedestrian-friendly plaza and business district. Work will start by demolishing the former Oceana building and the site could be the new home of Swansea council.

Cost: Unknown Start date: 2015

University of Wales Trinity St David campus

image copyright Swansea council

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David has unveiled plans for an innovation campus in Swansea's SA1 development.

Cost: £100m Start date: Plans submitted

River corridor

image copyright Swansea council

Multiple property and housing developments along the River Tawe from the Liberty Stadium to Parc Tawe. It also includes a £4.5m relief road to ease congestion.

Cost: No figures released Completion: 2017/18

Arch project

image copyright ABMUHB image caption Singleton Hospital sits next to Swansea University

Radical plans for a transformation of hospital services will see Morriston Hospital double in size and become a regional centre for specialist treatments while Singleton Hospital would become a centre of excellence for diagnostic and same-day care, working with GPs, opticians and dentists.