A major regeneration blueprint was greeted with "excitement" when it was officially launched to the public at a special exhibition yesterday.

The latest detailed interpretation of Will Alsop's masterplan, covering a city centre zone known as the Valley, is being showcased in the new reception area at City Hall, where eight giant information panels provide pictures and descriptions.

And as residents of the district are beginning to discover, the so-called Neighbourhood Development Framework, or NDF for short, is more exciting than its cumbersome name suggests. The document contains plans to create the UK's first city centre science park and a European-style boulevard on Thornton Road. Major changes to the inner city ring road are also proposed as part of a grand plan to regenerate the area.

A steady stream of people have been visiting the exhibition, which runs until tomorrow, and many have expressed enthusiasm for the content of the Valley NDF. Satnam Thiara, from the Bolton area of Bradford, said: "Plans like this are good for the city. I'm impressed and I hope it continues throughout Bradford."

He said he was especially keen on the plans for more urban living. The NDF proposes a Goitside Urban Village and a landmark residential development, rising up to 25 storeys, on the former gasworks site off Thornton Road.

Taqu Mir, of Duckworth Lane, Bradford, said the plans were "excellent" and would be great for the Valley area.

But he said: "I'm interested in buying an old mill in the Paradise Street area for my car body kits business but, if the road is going to be going through there, I'm wondering if it will be subject to a compulsory purchase. That's a bit worrying but, if it didn't go through the mill, the plan would probably be quite good for business."

Anthony Mann, chairman of Bradford Civic Society, welcomed the latest NDF and said it should be embraced.

He said: "We like the linear park and the ideas for the bottom of the college. It's exciting. Let's get on with it."

Professor Chris Taylor, vice chancellor of the University of Bradford and Chair of the Neighbourhood Development Framework for the Valley, said: "One of the most crucial aspects of this plan is to create an improved linkage between the educational quarter of Bradford and the city centre.

"It will help Bradford to reap the economic benefits of being a university city by encouraging our staff and students into the life of the city centre."

e-mail: will.kilner@bradford.newsquest.co.uk