Neighbourhood Renewal Workshop

North Belfast Partnership organised a half-day workshop on Neighbourhood Renewal. The workshop was held in NICVA on Tuesday 6th June 2006, and was facilitated by Dr Julie Harrison of Julie Harrison Consulting. Dr Brendan Murtagh of the Institute of Spatial & Environmental Planning, Queen's University, provided an overview of the background to Neighbourhood Renewal in the north of the city.

The workshop allowed those involved in the Neighbourhood Renewal process in North Belfast to review key themes and issues that impact on its implementation. Representatives from the Inner North, Crumlin/Ardoyne, Upper Ardoyne/Ligoniel, and Rathcoole Neighbourhood Partnerships attended the session. Staff from North Belfast Partnership, Belfast Regeneration Office and North Belfast Community Action Unit were also in attendance.

In his presentation, Dr Brendan Murtagh outlined three key issues central to the effective implementation of Neighbourhood Renewal: Strategy and Planning; Partnership Working; and Skills, Systems and Procedures. Brendan emphasised that this Government initiative presents a major challenge to establish effective Partnerships that will lead to positive impacts on urban and community regeneration. He also offered the viewpoint that Physical Renewal could be a priority theme, as it would lead to tangible impacts on these neighbourhoods. Brendan also highlighted that these neighbourhoods also needed to be connected with wider economic growth opportunities in North Belfast and other areas of the city.

To view the workshop report click here.

If you wish to make any comments on the workshop report, or on the issue of Neighbourhood Renewal, please click here.