Work to create the vast urban park and lake which would be the platform for a unique city could begin in the next two years, architects who drew up the new city traffic masterplan said today.

They said the futuristic vision, featuring in an exhibition in the former Brown Muff building which later housed the Dillon's book store in Market Street, could soon take the first step towards reality.

Processes towards the acquisition of properties and land for demolition would get off the ground in the early years of the massive plan, said Dave West, project director for international architects Alsop.

But the entire transformation of the city which once lost its way is expected to roll over the next two decades as scores of buildings go up and innovative projects are created.

Other aspects of the futuristic plan unveiled at its launch yesterday included the expansion of Bradford Interchange with a new canopy and new shops and a "business forest" beside a pier on a lake beside City Hall.

It would have small units for fledgling businesses in a densely wooded area. There would be views across the water, an improved car park and access to public transport.

There are plans for a new magistrates Court next to the Crown Court and a conference centre on the corner of Shipley Airedale Road and Leeds Road, complementing and supporting the Leisure Exchange.

The master plan proposes 200 new homes, including sheltered housing and care homes - all with a view over the new landscaped setting of Drewton Street mosque.

An elegant bridge would link the university and college campus to the city centre. The structure would have galleries, classrooms and meeting places. The campus would also link into the city with a public open space containing an interactive playground for all ages.

The towers from the Odeon cinema would be retained after its demolition and used to support a temporary giant screen in a sensory garden which would have views of the pier, pool and park.

But today the strong message was given to the people of Bradford that they must visit the exhibition at the former Dillons Shop in the city centre to see the proposals and give their views.

The Bishop of Bradford, the Right Reverend David James, said: "It is exciting, imaginative. It can happen and will happen if dialogue goes on between the planners and the people."

He said he hoped the exhibition would be full every day.

"I hope school children will come and say what they want as they are the people who will use it in the future.

"Every city needs an overall strategy. If you don't plan you are planning for chaos.

"We have here a plan which is flexible and which will evolve."

Lord Mayor Councillor Allan Hillary said: "I am excited and we have been waiting for this for a long time. It is important that people should come and take ownership of this plan. Everybody must feed into it and say what they think about it."

Tim Hindley, of Bradford Breakthrough, also gave a big welcome to the plan.

He said: "It looks like bringing London to the heart of Bradford. I like the greenery and the open space. But it has to be good quality shopping to succeed.

"We need to eradicate fear of crime. It looks ambitious but I think it looks achievable providing there is the will of everybody to succeed."

Roland Clark, president of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, said: "I think most people in Bradford will have plans coming out of their ears and most will say this is just another one.

"Having seen it develop over the months I think it is a plan people can believe in it.

"We needed to tackle things in a different way. It shouldn't just be a pale imitation of other shopping centres."

Jeff Frankel, chairman of Bradford Retail Action Group, said: "It is absolutely brilliant if it comes to fruition and I hope it will."

Tom Riordan, director of Strategy for Yorkshire Forward, said: "People across the political, public and private spectrums have shown enthusiasm and energy for the plan right.

"Now we need the people of the district to get behind it and own it.

"I know there are going to be a very wide range of views and we will take a lot of account of them.

"It is the people who use the city who know about it and know what will work."

The plan has also been praised by Bradford Vision, which is made up of all the district's leading organisations.

Chief executive Sharmila Gandhi said: "It is absolutely welcomed by all the partners of Bradford Vision.

"I think the creativity, innovation and boldness are something which people are undoubtedly going to be attracted to."

She welcomed the ten-week consultation period and said she hoped people would feed in their views.

But Mrs Gandhi said Bradford Vision frequently received letters about fear of crime in the city, particularly in the evenings, and it was important for it to be taken into account.