South Belfast Strategic Framework

Sandy Row, Donegall Pass & the Markets

SOUTH BELFAST STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK

August 2016 SOUTH

BELFASTURBAN VILLAGES INITIATIVE SOUTH

1 INTRODUCTION 01 2 Sandy Row, Donegall 19 BELFAST Pass and the Markets today 3 The future 57 4 SUPPORTING DELIVERY 97

01INTRODUCTION

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 1 INTRODUCTION

1 PURPOSE OF DOCUMENT This Strategic Framework is intended to provide a reference point for anyone involved in shaping investment decisions or identifying collaborative opportunities in the South Belfast Urban Village area. The Framework presents findings from a creative process of analysis and reflection which involved individual members of the community, as well as representatives from local and central government. It provides an analysis of place and is a tool for informing action and investment.

The Framework is intended to be used as a working document - so that emerging opportunities can be identified and changing circumstances acknowledged.

It begins by presenting information on what the Urban Villages Initiative is, what it is trying to achieve and how it will work.

Section 2 then sets out the local context and presents key findings under three headings - strengths, symptoms and causes.

Section 3 looks towards the future and sets out Strategic Actions which emerged through the process of engagement, evidence gathering and analysis. These can help to inform future investment plans as well as identifying opportunities for alignment of effort and collaboration around shared outcomes.

Section 4 focuses on delivery. The Executive Office will take forward projects and programmes within its remit, and work with others to progress opportunities for shared delivery of outcomes, in keeping with the approach articulated in the draft Programme for Government Framework.

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Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 3 WHAT IS THE URBAN VILLAGES INITIATIVE? 1

The Urban Villages Initiative is a key action within the Northern Ireland Executive’s ‘Together: Building a United Community’ Strategy. It is designed to improve good relations outcomes and to help develop thriving places where there has previously been a history of deprivation and community tension. Improve the physical environment

Build community capacity

4 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast There are three inter-connecting aims:

• to foster positive community identities

• to build community capacity 1

• to improve the physical environment.

In working towards these aims, a key delivery mechanism will be aligning and influencing investment and finding better ways of ‘doing more with what we’ve got’. The goal is to enable current and future investment to be targeted and delivered in more effective and sustainable ways. In practice this will mean: Foster positive • co-ordinating and aligning effort across community identities Government Departments, local Councils and community organisations to deliver good relations outcomes

• identifying and building on what is working because sustainable change requires investment in social (people and communities) and in physical assets

• exploring ways of investing and trying new approaches which stimulate private investment and economic activity. Build community capacity

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 5 1 Objectives and Outcomes In order to focus effort and set a clear route to delivery, a set of objectives and outcomes will inform investment decisions and actions. Improve the physical environment

Build community capacity

6 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 1

Foster positive community identities

Build community capacity

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 7 1 PLACES Core Area Delivery will be focussed on five ‘core’ areas in:

• Ardoyne and Greater Ballysillan (North Belfast) • Bogside, Fountain and Bishop Street (Derry~Londonderry) • Colin (West Belfast) • EastSide (East Belfast) • Sandy Row, Donegall Pass and the Markets (South Belfast)

The core area provides a focal point for action and investment. The concept of a wider area of influence, that is not sharply defined, acknowledges that thriving places require wider connection to both physical and social assets. Investment Area of Influence decisions and actions will be informed by the likely impact on core areas.

8 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 1 STRATEGIC ACTIONS Transform Neighbourhoods Enterprising Communities The Strategic Actions in this • Enhance and upgrade the area • Support local business, Framework document are • Address vacancy and dereliction entrepreneurship and intended to inform discussion • Improve and increase green open social enterprise ventures about how to best deliver spaces, linking them together • Improve access to employment positive outcomes in each place. • Improve lighting opportunities In order to ensure that expertise • Address imbalance of traffic • Attract and influence investment is harnessed at a neighbourhood and parking impacts on communities • Harness tourism and heritage level, local Reference Groups are opportunities being developed - to provide a first point of contact and Connectivity (People & Place) sense-check for project ideas, • Improve access to facilities, Community Well-being to build civic stewardship and services and activities for children • Improve health, happiness sustainability around specific and youth & well-being interventions and to ensure that • Maximise connections to city centre, • Build trust and relationships delivery is built from shared proposed Transport Hub and priorities. River Lagan • Harness community voice to influence and respond to opportunities

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 9 Introducing THE PLACE

Sandy Row

Donegall Pass SHAFTESBURY SQUARE

CITY HOSPITAL

10 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast ST. GEORGE’S MARKET

CENTRAL STATION 1

Cromac Street

The core area is made up of three distinct neighbourhoods - Sandy Row, Donegall Pass and the Markets, situated on the edge of the city centre, yet separated by roads and dereliction / vacant sites. The railway severs the area from the surrounding areas to the south, east and west although this puts four train stations within easy reach.

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 11 METHODOLOGY

The process that informed this Workshop 1 Discovering our Strategic Framework began with an own strengths and Workshop 2 in-depth analysis process involving Discovering seeds of success 1 desktop research, site appraisal and were held in each neighbourhood extensive stakeholder consultation. followed by Workshop 3 Explore This included 1-to-1 meetings, the potential... visiting the workshops, surveys, focus neighbours. Through the groups and public events. engagement process we explored what people like about their area, A commitment to It seeks to build on what is working identified what’s working well and and will continue to progress looked at potential to create new sustained consultation and positive change to bring about real possibilities and opportunities. transformation, whilst significantly Workshop 4 Presenting the engagement with all local improving the living environment future culminated in showing and area. the findings, testing some of stakeholders is made for the emerging ideas and getting The findings from each stage help to feedback on Strategic Actions all stages of delivery and ensure this Framework is specific to and ideas for future projects. as such this is a working the place and people. It seeks to build on what is working and will continue A range of issues were explored in document forming the basis to progress positive change to bring more depth. These included, for about real transformation, whilst example, the role of illumination for discussion and delivery. significantly improving the and lighting in regeneration; living environment and area. children’s play spaces; community gardens and allotments; and the Central to the methodology was role of business associations. engagement with the people who This informed the findings and live, work and spend time in the area. Strategic Actions in parallel Between January and March 2016 the with the valuable contributions Urban Villages team engaged with local and participation throughout people, community groups and wider the process. stakeholders from both the public sector and local business through a series of 13 workshop events.

12 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast Programmes WORKSHOP 1 Uses Projects Public Space WORKSHOP 2 Opportunities WORKSHOP 3 1 Innovation WORKSHOP 4 Buildings Sites Imagination Ideas Aspiration

Foster Positive Build Improve Community Community the Physical Identities Capacity Environment

Delivery Plan • Capital Projects • Revenue Programmes

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 13 1 IN PARALLEL Over 100 meetings were held with Community events, started in stakeholders from the public, private December 2015 and ran through and community sectors. The purpose until the end of March 2016, of these meetings was to understand presented excellent opportunities the existing context, ongoing and to bring people together and potential projects and to jointly gather further feedback and identify opportunities for the Strategic participation. Framework to consider. Creative programmes with Youth and children’s workshops were community groups have been coordinated which provided invaluable positively received, reinforcing information in determining what local the contribution that the arts can young people like and dislike about the make to this area of the city and area and the type of place they would demonstrating its potential for like in the future. the future.

Local businesses were surveyed, which provided an understanding of the current trading environment and identified ways in which the business community could be strengthened and supported through the strategy.

14 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 1 16 1 1

Digital south STREET SOCIETY WORKSHOP EVENTS event

30 13 100 +

COMMUNITY LED BUSINESS SURVEY CONSULTATION EVENTS RETURNS MEETINGS

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 15 1 Street Society This involved three groups of Markets Arches architecture and planning students students proposed innovative units developing ideas for community supportive of the creative arts as An intense one week groups throughout the study area, well as local entrepreneurs in need ‘Street Society’ programme and three projects by architecture and of a central hub to operate from. planning teams and seven acoustic Tunnel five also reclaims some was conducted by Queen’s teams of sound students that worked in local history, reopening a passage University Belfast. parallel throughout the area. Proposals beneath the bridge brought to life emerging from this exercise helped as a vegetative walkway for the community groups look at potential community reflecting the former opportunities as well as informing the market trades. Strategic Framework. From woods to gardens Gilpins students proposed a variety of students proposed a micro brewery as greening initiatives to increase an anchor, reflecting the history whilst biodiversity and reflect diverse looking to future economic generators cultural identities. Ideas included including studio / enterprise / office the expansion of community space focused around a flexible public gardens reach and incorporate open space. A phased approach was kitchen facilities, potential for an considered which could be refined, urban farm, meditation garden, rain using the front block in the short term gardens, vegetation walls, entrance to generate income, whilst refurbishing features, trees and planting. the historic buildings to the rear.

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Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 17 18 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 02Sandy Row, Donegall Pass and the Markets today

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 19 TODAY

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Whilst not as urban or busy as it was The housing in these three in the past Sandy Row, Donegall Pass neighbourhoods was predominantly and the Markets have retained their redeveloped in the 1970’s. The original structure with the main streets layouts with cul-de-sacs, parking still providing important connections courts and alleyways reflect the to the city centre and surrounding approach to planning at that time. areas. However, the main streets have Limited connecting streets impact on significantly less footfall and the extent pedestrian and car movements through of vacancy and dereliction combined the areas and also make the areas with physical and perceived barriers more disorientating and harder to undermine the potential of the area. find your way around and therefore less welcoming.

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 21 2

22 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 2

This map illustrates the area was still relatively rural although the main streets, Ormeau Avenue, Donegall Pass, Sandy Row, Dublin Road, Great Victoria Street and Cromac Street were in place 1829- at this stage. Development was established along Sandy Row, around Shaftesbury Square and along Cromac Street and Ormeau Road. There was a 1835 reservoir, gas works and other industry emerging.

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 23 2

24 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 2

There is increased development in the area including foundries, factories, mills, churches, 1831- lodges and terraced housing. 1904

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 25 2

26 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 2

The railway was built through the area along with significant dense development. The markets were located on both sides of East Bridge Street. Dense urban street patterns are evident with rows of terraced 1901- houses positioned alongside industrial buildings, in a bustling part of the city. The urban form of the area remained relatively unchanged until the 1964 redevelopment by the Housing Executive in the 1970’s.

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 27 Strengths The engagement process and analysis identifies many positive aspects and strengths that include people, activities and places which are summarised over the following pages. 2 STRATEGIC Cultural heritage LOCATION and tradition

28 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 2 ARCHITECTURAL Community spirit, Investments HERITAGE friendship and loyalty

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 29 2

30 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 2 STRATEGIC LOCATION The Golden Mile links Queen’s University to the City Centre, Situated beside the city centre, just through Shaftesbury Square as minutes walk from City Hall, the area an important city wide route for has a strategic location at a city and students, tourism and business. regional scale. The neighbourhoods of Sandy Row, Donegall Pass and The Four train stations border the area: Markets are wrapped around the city Central Station adjacent to the centre with all the facilities including: Markets area; Botanic Station close retail, recreation, arts, culture, leisure, to Donegall Pass; City Hospital civic, administration, businesses, health Station and Great Victoria bus and education, in very close proximity. and rail station beside Sandy Row. The proposed Transport Hub To the south, east and west is the and subsequent changes to the railway line with other neighbourhoods other stations and introduction beyond. This wider area provides of the south Belfast Rapid Transit access to other amenities including route have the potential to the River Lagan, Botanic Gardens and provide significant benefits and Ormeau Park, Queen’s University, Ulster opportunities to the whole area. Museum, Lyric, Crescent Arts Centre and the Botanic Avenue.

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32 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast

Cultural heritage The industrial and commercial activities contributions that remaining cultural included the cattle, horse, potato and and built heritage provide. There and tradition vegetable, flax and fruit markets, gas are reminders of this rich industrial works, flax and linen factories, weaving and cultural heritage existing today The area and communities are and spinning mills. including the mother, daughter steeped in cultural heritage sister sculpture. There are also many Housed in densely populated two groups including music, history and and tradition. and three storey terraces with limited photography groups that have very conveniences workers had a strong strong traditional cultures. sense of community in these bustling streets. There is a real need to respect good memories including the

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 33 ARCHITECTURAL The architectural heritage is varied in In Donegall Pass listed buildings quality and style. The listed buildings are include a Georgian terrace, St. Mary HERITAGE limited and many of these buildings are Magdalene Parish Church, the former in need of occupiers and intervention to School of Music and the former reinstate their former appearance and Water Margin restaurant. There are the positive contribution they provide also a few listed properties around to the area. Shaftesbury Square, Ormeau Baths and also Blythefield Primary School and St. Aidan’s Church of Ireland on Blythe Street. 2

34 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast There are other buildings and structures that contribute to the built heritage although many of these are in poor condition including Gilpins on Sandy Row, Lanyon Tunnels, the former Police Station on Donegall Pass and some terraces on Donegall Pass, Cromac Street, Ormeau Avenue, Shaftesbury Square, Dublin Road and Great Victoria Street. 2

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 35 Community spirit, The qualities most valued were The existing programmes, activities friendship, family and loyalty. The and events that provide opportunities friendship and loyalty communities are recognised as being for people to come together, and culturally diverse and this provides the resilience and energy groups Through the engagement process a colourful richness although not demonstrate, often with limited we have gained an appreciation without challenges. resources shows, the strengths that should be nurtured and encouraged of the genuine community spirit to flourish more. throughout the neighbourhoods. 2

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Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 37 investments Belfast City Council has recently Being on the edge of the city centre invested in the children’s play area in there are signs of investment being the Markets and the SureStart facility attracted here. Although there may is currently on site. The Community be concerns about the scale and Garden in Donegall Pass is flourishing type of future developments being due to financial investment from attracted to the area, there are City Council and significant time significant benefits to be captured, and commitment invested by provided these are harnessed local volunteers. and shaped. 2

38 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast The proposed Transport Hub along The Urban Villages team worked additionality gained by the Urban with other private development in partnership with the Housing Villages team working alongside proposals and investments have the Executive (NIHE) on their Hope Street NIHE and Belfast City Council potential to provide catalysts for wider and Posnett Street sites. Working has provided a firm basis for our regeneration as well as potential collaboratively on creative community ongoing collaborative work to contributions including training and engagement events gave people the achieve quality developments and employment opportunities. opportunity to give their opinions meaningful community benefits. towards shaping the future proposals for these sites. The recognition of the 2

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 39 Challenges Across all three neighbourhoods the challenges are very similar which should not be a surprise given they are all on the edge of the city centre, were redeveloped in the same era and face the same economic context. 2 Vacancy and derelict Population Current economic buildings and sites decline climate and unemployment

IMAGE

40 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 2 BARRIERS AND Parking Development Severance pressure

Amenities and facilities

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 41 2

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Vacancy and derelict road by the Department buildings and sites for Infrastructure.

The number of vacant, underutilised The size of the opportunity sites and/or derelict buildings and cleared varies from small, vacant units sites is a concerning characteristic. to larger areas of under-utilised There are a number of reasons sites and they offer considerable including the economic recession, development potential for the area. reduced population in these areas Re-occupying and redeveloping and changes in shopping patterns. In these buildings and sites is an addition, a significant part of this blight urgent priority given the significant between the neighbourhoods and extent and prominent locations the city centre is caused by the long so close to the city centre. standing proposals for the inner ring

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 43 Population The redevelopment of the three significant challenges such as neighbourhoods by the Housing generational unemployment, social decline Executive created vastly improved and economic disadvantage and poor living conditions although this led to health and well-being. significantly less houses and therefore reduction in the population. The low density of housing compounded by undeveloped sites Also this was compounded by the has implications on the ability of the ‘Troubles’, which resulted in many of area to sustain crucial health, education the area’s population leaving. Many and leisure services, in addition to 2 families that remained experienced shops and local businesses.

44 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast Current economic Addressing economic inactivity and centre complexes, many local unemployment, particularly for young retailers relocated elsewhere climate and people, by encouraging delivery or ceased trading. Recently the unemployment of industry relevant and softer skills retail pattern has become more training whilst increasing access to reliant on online shopping with the sustainable job opportunities, will economic downturn contributing to impact significantly on the social and an even more challenging trading economic well-being. environment for local businesses.

Retailing has changed considerably The current economic climate is over the years with depopulation and still weak although showing signs the development of large shopping of developer and investor interest. 2

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 45 2 Image The current lighting levels combined There is significant opportunity to with the building materials make improve the areas’ image and build places feel dark and unwelcoming in a contemporary identity reflecting The image of the three the evenings. This is made worse by the rich heritage and culture of both neighbourhoods is the number of broken fittings, closed traditional communities and the challenging given the up vacant buildings and cleared sites. broad spectrum of new communities prevalent across South Belfast. general appearance of There are also murals, flags and the main streets, poor bonfires that can be intimidating and impact on the image and perception quality shopfronts and of places. broken, dirty footpaths giving a poor impression.

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Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 47 2

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Barriers and severance and alleyways that cause barriers and challenges. Between the city centre and the three neighbourhoods there are busy roads The River Lagan and the railway and vacant sites causing barriers and line create barriers yet also unwelcoming places. In addition, there provide connections. In addition, are congested roads between and there are historically territorial through the neighbourhoods carving boundaries between the three up the area. These make barriers that neighbourhoods. Although they are physically hard to cross on foot are not physical barriers they do and junctions that prohibit important limit connectivity between and traffic movements. This contributes through the area. to where people go to and the places they may stop and spend Addressing the challenge of on the way. barriers and severance is critical and provides a significant Also the layout of the residential areas opportunity that will benefit the means there are dead ends whole area.

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 49 2 Parking Commuter parking within residential areas causes inconvenience to residents and creates hazards for emergency and Parking and the dominance refuse vehicles as well as impacting on of cars is a consistent pedestrian and cyclist movements. challenge across the three Limited short term on-street parking neighbourhoods. close to retailers, services and restaurants is impacting businesses. Also the current trend of parking on pavements on Donegall Pass is unattractive and blocks the paths for pedestrians, and is particularly problematic for anyone with mobility issues or pushchairs.

Parking must be addressed in a comprehensive manner and in advance of development proposals on existing surface car parks. Given the relatively low level of car ownerships in the area there is potential to transform these spaces given the right approach and cooperation of resident and business communities.

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52 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 2 Development These have led to concerns about the The appropriate uses, associated scale and type of future developments parking, bulk, scale and massing pressure being proposed and the implications should be addressed through for local residents specifically with the planning process and the Recent planning regard to parking, management requirement to engage with applications and and inward migration. communities before submitting planning applications means there approvals in the area However, there should also be are more opportunities to review and have been predominantly significant benefits to communities consider proposals at an early stage. for student housing, grade from future development. Additional population living and working in the There should also be the potential A offices and apartments. area will bring additional footfall and to secure developer contributions potential spend and act as catalysts that would deliver benefits for the to attract future investment. wider community such as training and employment opportunities, social enterprises and environmental improvements.

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Amenities and facilities Identification and removal of barriers to access, combined with There are different amenities and a shared approach to prioritised facilities such as play parks, youth improvements could make clubs, pitches, community gardens significant impact. and community centres across the area. They each have their own various challenges including: quality, availability, affordability, suitability and sustainability.

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 55 56 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 03The future

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 57 Vision

3 Sandy Row, Donegall Pass and the Markets are welcoming neighbourhoods with opportunities for all ages living and working here. We are open, connected and enjoy a great quality of life.

We need to build on what is Targeted measured support for working and continue to progress programmes and services aligned positive change to bring about real to the UV Strategic Actions transformation, whilst significantly and overarching themes will improving the living and working complement a broader aligning/ environment. This will include influencing role. physical changes to places and stewardship of them by individuals and communities to maintain and sustain them.

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Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 59 STRATEGIC ACTIONS 3 The Strategic Actions have been developed through a comprehensive process of information gathering, analysis and extensive engagement with a wide and diverse audience. They seek to build on what is working, highlighting opportunities for sustaining positive change. Each of the Strategic Actions sits within one of four overarching themes and will lead to various investments through the Urban Villages Initiative and/or alignment with other projects to maximise impact and reach.

60 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast TRANSFORM NEIGHBOURHOODS ENTERPRISING COMMUNITIES • Enhance and upgrade the area • Address vacancy and dereliction • Support local business, entrepreneurship and social • Improve and increase green open enterprise ventures 3 spaces, linking them together • Improve access to employment • Improve lighting opportunities • Address imbalance of traffic • Attract and influence investment and parking impacts on communities • Harness tourism and heritage opportunities

CONNECTIVITY COMMUNITY WELL-BEING (PEOPLE & PLACE) • Improve health, happiness • Improve access to facilities, and well-being services and activities for children • Build trust and relationships and youth • Maximise connections to city centre, proposed Transport Hub and River Lagan • Harness community voice to influence and respond to opportunities Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 61 TRANSFORM NEIGHBOURHOODS

3 ENHANCE AND UPGRADE THE AREA ADDRESS VACANCY AND DERELICTION (BUILDINGS AND SITES)

62 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 3 IMPROVE AND INCREASE IMPROVE LIGHTING ADDRESS IMBALANCE GREEN OPEN SPACES, OF TRAFFIC AND LINKING THEM PARKING IMPACTS ON TOGETHER COMMUNITIES

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 63 3

64 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 3 Enhance There are significant opportunities This could include footpath to brighten up the area. Improving improvements, innovative street and upgrade the existing public open spaces and furniture, benches/seating, shading the area children’s play areas will improve their elements, lighting, tree planting, appearance and create safe spaces hanging baskets and window boxes, that inspire all ages to enjoy their increasing the number of refuse neighbourhoods. Public spaces provide bins, pooper scooper facilities and the opportunity to bring people signs. Environmental improvements together provided they are designed and increasing awareness should to address the needs of all ages enable people to take more pride, and abilities. interest and responsibility for their own neighbourhoods. Public art, Making the approaches into the especially when designed through area and streets through the a collaborative approach can neighbourhoods more attractive and improve an area visually and welcoming could be transformative. increase ongoing stewardship.

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 65 3

66 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 3 Address vacancy There are significant opportunity sites Due to the extensive nature of the and buildings which could transform opportunity sites, potential exists and dereliction the area. These range from empty to transform some of the vacant (buildings and upper floors of buildings to vacant shop spaces through the innovative sites) units, historic buildings and cleared application of meanwhile uses as sites. They will need various levels of temporary interventions of value to interventions by different individuals, an area and its people. Community groups, voluntary, private and public gardens, performance spaces, sector organisations. Opportunities will outdoor galleries, wildlife gardens be short, medium and long term and and many other imaginative could include a living over the shop proposals should be considered scheme, shopfront improvements to and developed with local redevelopment proposals for buildings residents, organisations, schools and or sites. and landowners. A commitment to supporting the management of these spaces must be made from the outset, on the clear understanding that ultimately they will be redeveloped.

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Improve and increase Whether community gardens, allotments or pocket parks these green open spaces, should be linked to maximise LINKING THEM TOGETHER the wider environmental and community benefits. The links may Existing green spaces should be be physical through planting and/ enhanced and potential opportunities or organisations working within and sought to increase the amount and across the neighbourhoods. quality of green spaces. They can provide attractive havens offering opportunities to focus activities that bring people together.

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Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 69 3 IMPROVE LIGHTING There is also evidence of a corresponding reduction in anti- An improved sense of security social behaviour and reduced is often simply a matter of vandalism where spaces and contrast, if one area is brighter streets are well lit. than another it is perceived as safer, regardless of the actual There’s an opportunity to progress light level. Lighting can improve a lighting strategy that addresses the sense of safety and create a the various types of lighting that welcoming, visually appealing could be improved or introduced. environment for residents living This could range from way-finding there and encourage others to feature street lights; enhanced visit and feel safe and inspired neighbourhood lighting; creative when they do. lighting in play areas; floodlighting or highlighting attractive buildings, Good facial recognition through features and public art; projections improved light fittings and onto facades; innovative festival colour rendering plays an and temporary event lighting. important role in how people perceive the safety of a place.

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Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 71 Address imbalance An appetite is emerging to revisit the Transport NI is responsible for the potential to introduce a South Belfast on-street parking and potential to of traffic and residents parking scheme given the introduce residents parking. This parking impacts on demand from residents for such a will require design work and public communities scheme. This will become increasingly consultation to determine the important given future development acceptance of the proposals by proposals for many sites that are residents and businesses. Belfast currently surface car parks. City Council has a greater interest in addressing parking given that public

72 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast car parks transferred to the council as In addition, managing short term well as planning powers. on-street parking will be important to facilitate businesses and support There is potential to transform spaces economic activity. within the neighbourhoods that are currently used by commuters for parking into “Homezones” which are pedestrian friendly spaces that improve the appearance and use of these streets and spaces. 3

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 73 ENTERPRISING COMMUNITIES

3 Support local business, Improve access to entrepreneurship and social employment opportunities enterprise ventures

74 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast EUROPA BUS CENTRE GREAT VICTORIA STREET 3 Attract and influence Harness tourism and investment heritage opportunities

BRUCE STREET

DUBLIC ROAD

HOPE STREET HOLIDAY INN

OFFICE SPACE WITH ROOF GARDENS

PEDESTRIAN PRIORITY STREETS AND ARCADES

CENTRAL CIVIC SPACE

OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL EMPLOYMENT

MIXED TENURE HOUSING

VEHICULAR ACCESS TO CAR PARKING

MCADAM PARK WELLWOOD STREET FRONTAGE ONTO WELLWOOD STREET

GREAT VICTORIA STREET

SANDY ROW COMMUNITY CENTRE

SANDY ROW Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 75

GILPINS Support local Traditional retail and trade areas desire for people to live, work and on the edge of town have suffered visit the area resulting in improved business, from amongst other things out of community and economic life helping entrepreneurship town shopping centres and the drive broader regeneration efforts. and social concentration of services in the city This could be achieved through enterprise centre. Supporting existing enterprise exploring initiatives such as the live ventures and encouraging new business/social over the shop scheme, rent/rate free enterprise will directly impact on the periods, investment zoning,

76 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast incubation units, increasing the mix of improving the quality of environment office, retail and hospitality offer for (shop frontages, streetscapes, residents and visitors and collaborative landscaping, public realm and support for business and trade welcoming entrances/gateways) and associations. addressing parking issues will also help provide the uplift these areas Increasing footfall and improved require in order to attract private consumer experience through sector investment.

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Improve access the local labour force should be encouraged. Increasing access to to employment apprenticeships and sustainable opportunities job opportunities will impact significantly on the social and The economic inactivity and economic well-being of individuals unemployment is an important issue and families within the area. particularly for young adults. The focus

should be placed on enhancing the A holistic approach to increasing opportunity for employers, education employment opportunities should and training organisations to work be harnessed through addressing together to create a workforce with the provision of affordable industry relevant and employability childcare, delivery of after schools skills supporting existing and future clubs to include digital/coding skills, job creation and economic growth. support for softer employability Delivery of industry relevant and skills and brokerage of work softer skills training targeting growing placement and apprenticeship business areas such as the creative and opportunities for all age groups. digital industries, as well as connecting business needs with talent from within

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Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 79 3 Attract and Being located beside the city centre Focus should be placed on there are various development harnessing emerging opportunities, influence proposals in the area, predominantly making connections between investment for student housing, grade A offices interested occupiers, investors, and apartments. There are also developers, the various local and opportunities emerging in relation central Government Departments to potential future occupiers, private to maximise the potential investors and developers showing to attract investment in a interest in the area. However, there are holistic manner. also concerns expressed at the quality of the public realm, frontages and The Urban Villages team will level of rates that could detract continue to work in partnership investment from the area. with the Housing Executive on their Hope Street and Posnett Street sites The ripple effect of catalytic investment and collaborate with Translink on creating reimaged streets and or the Transport Hub. These significant spaces could have a transformative development sites are likely to impact on the area and underpin the include public and private sector regeneration of the wider physical investment. and economic context.

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Harness tourism and serviced apartments and present opportunities for cross business heritage opportunities offers to consumers. The expanding tourism offer in Belfast provides this area, located on the edge Consideration should be given to of the city centre, with an important points of arrival, attractions and opportunity. The potential to expand the promotion of routes between and promote existing cultural tourism them. For example the future initiatives and focus on assets in terms walk along Sandy Row from the of the rich built and cultural heritage Transport Hub to Queen’s University should be explored. and City Hospital and the link from City Hall to the Ormeau Baths and This could increase economic onto the former School of Music opportunities in relation to social and between the Waterfront Hall enterprise ventures and emergence of through the Lanyon Tunnels and the additional facilities that are required Markets to the Gasworks and the to support the tourism industry. This River Lagan. could include cafes, restaurants, niche shops, hotels, guest houses,

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 83 CONNECTIVITY

3 Improve access to facilities, Maximise connections to city services and activities for centre, proposed Transport CHILDREN and youth Hub and River Lagan

84 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 3 Harness community voice to influence and respond to opportunities

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 85 3 Improve access to aspirations and encourage connectivity within and across neighbourhoods. facilities, services Equally, addressing adequacy of service and activities for provision for children with special needs CHILDREN and youth and youth club provision and related Enhancing access to activities, activities such as drug and alcohol services and facilities for children awareness programmes should be and youth requires focus on key considered. thematic areas for improvement for example ensuring quality early Increasing the ‘offer’ of activities and years provision, parent and toddler services must be complemented by groups and addressing lack of improving access to existing facilities, quality childcare provision. Also removing actual and perceived exploring the potential to increase barriers to access and where possible the number, quality and content employing a shared approach to usage of after schools club provision and targeted physical improvements. and school holiday clubs for children to gain new skills, broaden

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Maximise connections The important strategic street connection ‘Shaftesbury Link’ Given the location beside the city formerly known as the Bankmore centre maximising connections should Link Road should be progressed. include links to the proposed Transport This would address the barriers Hub and River Lagan. Improving between neighbourhoods and the footpaths, crossings and cycle routes city centre by designing the streets on ‘desire lines’ should be explored to have appropriate crossings, to make walking and cycling more footpaths and cycle facilities. attractive and safe. Resolving this strategic part of the A key strategic connection is the road network could also enable proposed pedestrian bridge over the Shaftesbury Square to realise its River Lagan to the Ormeau Park. This full potential as a civic space. It provides an important opportunity to could also release the development significantly improve links from the potential of the sites (currently area to the River Lagan, the tow path surface car parks) alongside the and the extensive leisure facilities in streets and introduce the potential the park. Belfast Rapid Transit route.

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Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 89 Harness community Due to proximity to the city centre There are opportunities to assist the neighbourhoods often feel under communities to get a better voice to influence pressure from developments and understanding of the proposals being and respond to consequential traffic. Historically the presented, enhance knowledge of opportunities proposed scale of buildings, mix of the process and best approach. uses and limited associated parking This should assist their ability to has led to concerns about the influence proposals and increase implications for residents. confidence to address them at the earliest stage.

90 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast In addition to shaping the form and nature of proposals, communities should also be able to influence developer contributions that would deliver benefits for the wider community such as training and employment opportunities, social enterprises and environmental improvements.

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 91 Community well-being

3 Improve health, happiness and well-being

92 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 3 Build trust and relationships

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Improve health, such as tea dances, intergenerational programmes, promotion of happiness and health champions and community well-being celebration events. Increasing Through focussing on social and capital access to sport and recreation for assets, we can look collectively at how to all ages should include provision of do more with less to reduce inequalities opportunities to take part in craft, in health, life and mental well-being, culture based activities and growing, delivering positive outcomes for the area. through community garden and Concentrated focus on physical activity, allotment schemes, in addition to emotional well-being and activities to traditional youth and adult sport bring people together will be delivered provision and after school provision through the lens of the Take 5 approach supported by fit for purpose facilities. of give, be active, connect, keep learning Delivery of mindfulness classes for and take notice. all ages, parenting and early years interventions and community based Positive community spirit can be arts culture and cooking programmes harnessed through support for activities can make positive impacts on that already exist in the neighbourhoods emotional resilience and well-being.

94 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast Build trust and recognises that more work is needed to continue building trust relationships and relationships within the South In ‘Together: Building a United Belfast Urban Village area so that Community’, the Northern Ireland investment and action supports Executive made a commitment to collaboration around shared remove all interface barriers by 2023. interests and priorities. 3 While this commitment refers to physical barriers between communities and neighbourhoods. This Framework

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 95 96 Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 04Supporting delivery

Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 97 Supporting delivery

4 STRATEGIC Routes Support will be provided to projects CONNECTIONS to delivery and programmes in keeping with The Urban Villages Initiative Although coordinated by the the good relations outcomes of the is a headline action within the Executive Office, and overseen Urban Villages Initiative. We will Executive’s ‘Together: Building a by Junior Ministers, capital and draw from the most appropriate United Community’ Strategy. It is revenue investments made directly delivery partners including led by the Executive Office with the through the Urban Villages central and local government and support of senior representatives Initiative will be led and managed community and voluntary groups. from other government departments by organisations that best suit the alongside Belfast City Council. particular project or programme. Activity more focussed on This means that work on parks, community capacity building, This Strategic Framework is intended public realm projects and other cultural innovation and positive to be a useful point of reference physical interventions is likely to be identities will be delivered by for anyone with an interest in the led by the Council, the Department community and voluntary groups Urban Village areas and a means for Communities, NI Housing to maximise local networks and for identifying opportunities Executive or the Department for connections or through central or to collaborate around shared Infrastructure. local government. Programme for Government outcomes and indicators.

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Urban Villages Initiative - South Belfast 99 This material is based upon Crown Copyright and is reproduced with the permission of Land & Property Services under delegated authority from the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, © Crown copyright and database rights NIMA ES&LA 2006.