ALL eyes will be on Newport in 2010 when the Ryder Cup comes to Gwent.

And the city which will be flooded with thousands of visitors will be a far cry from the Newport we know today - thanks to £600 million of investment over the next five years.

Picture this: A glass- topped shopping gallery, and beautiful waterside boulevards lined with restaurants and cafs.

That's the vision of urban regeneration company Newport Unlimited, and as we revealed on Friday, the plan is to make it happen by 2010.

Developer Modus Corovest plans to start work on the city's 10-acre retail site which covers an area comprising Kingsway, Upper Dock Street, John Frost Square and the bus station by the end of 2006, and complete the £200 million project by 2010.

Following Friday's announcement, Graham Moore, the chief executive of Newport Unlimited, said: "It is our vision to create a sustainable city where people can live closer to where they work and shop and make Newport a major economic driver."

That vision includes a total of 60 separate regeneration projects in Newport alone - among them is a £50 million revamp of Newport's Cambrian Centre - the gateway to the city. That is expected to be complete by 2007.

So far the urban regeneration company, which is funded by Newport council, the WDA and the National Assembly, looks set to deliver its promise of a renewed economy and thousands of jobs by 2020. Ebbw Vale's heart was ripped out by the cruel loss of the Corus steelworks.

But at last the community's rock-bottom confidence is set for a massive boost with the realisation of a combined £120 million project to reclaim that site for a new development.

"This is a key opportunity to develop a project which aids the regeneration of Blaenau Gwent and Ebbw Vale, by creating a vibrant urban quarter as an extension to the town," said Richard Crook, head of business services and regeneration at Blaenau Gwent council.

Part of the former Corus works site will be set aside for a new £30 million hospital.

The reclamation of the land has been jointly funded by £30 million of European and Assembly cash.

Mr Crook added: "The council is taking possession of the site in July, with preparation of the hospital site beginning in the autumn, following planning approval and discussions with Gwent Healthcare Trust."

The rest of the site will encompass a state-of-the-art learning centre, as well as new homes, businesses and a park.

And as Mr Crook explained, Ebbw Vale's rail link is a crucial part of the big picture.

The £32 million project went out to tender two weeks ago and the council expects to appoint a developer by the summer.

"You cannot underestimate the effect this will have on a community where job opportunities are scarce and which at the moment suffers from very poor transport links," he added.

"Just to have a link with Cardiff is a massive thing." Regeneration is very much today's buzz word.

Director of WDA South East Wales area Ed Bampton believes the progress is down to partnership.

He said: "There has been a tremendous amount of work, involving the private and public sectors in Gwent, which has placed the region firmly on the right track.

"That hard work is now paying dividends, and we are extremely optimistic that Gwent now has an excellent future."