HomeQuality of life in Belfast
Creating a successful and vibrant city where people want
to live is about more than improving the economy, job
prospects and regeneration of an area. It is about the things that are important to the people living in the city, so called 'liveability, soft, quality of life factors', such as, clean streets, availability of green spaces, safer and healthier environment, levels of pollution and waste and people's perception of crime.
In the 2003 Quality of Life survey, Belfast was voted the best city in the UK in which to live.
Housing
Housing conditions in Belfast have improved significantly over the past decade, with much of the housing stock (both social and private) in the inner city area on par with some of the best in the UK. The housing stock has risen steadily to over 124,000 in 2006.More than 50% of the houses in Belfast are owner-occupied and only 8.2% are vacant.
Local rates
The average rates bill in Northern Ireland has risen by 12.4% from £644 in 2006 - 07 to £724 in 2008 - 09. The average rates bill for Belfast has increased by roughly 47.9% from 2002 - 03 to 2008 - 09.Across the Belfast Metropolitan Area in 2008 - 09, North Down had the highest average rate bills of £920 and Belfast had one of the lowest with an average of £705.
House prices
Like all parts of the UK, house prices increased significantly in the last decade as a result of the ‘housing boom’, but have come down in value since the peak of the boom in 2007.House prices more than doubled between 2000 and 2007, but dropped by 20.9% from 2007 to 2008 to an average of £178,399.
Despite the 20.9% annual decline in house prices in Belfast between 2007 and 2008, Belfast actually fared better than the overall Northern Ireland market.
Source: University of Ulster Quarterly House Price Index, February 2009
The environment
The environment affects many aspects of quality of life and helps determine the attractiveness of the city to both visitors and residents. Belfast is home to over 2,000 acres of parkland and nature reserves including:- Two city parks
- Nine district parks
- 77 playgrounds
- 36 local parks
- Five country parks
- Belfast Zoo.
Litter
Street cleanliness has an impact on the city's image and attractiveness. In 2008-09 the overall net cost of street cleansing per head of population was £37.77.Over 80 vehicles and 1,800 litter bins are on hand so that rubbish can be properly disposed.
The overall ‘Cleanliness Index’ achieved by Belfast has increased significantly from 58 in 2001-02 to 72 in 2008-09.
A high profile anti-litter advertising campaign was carried out to help improve littering and waste disposal behaviour. Enforcement activity has continued around littering, with 1715 fixed penalties issued in 2008-09.
It is hoped that improvements in behaviour will help reduce the amount of money the city needs to spend on clearing up litter and dumped waste.
Recycling
In 2008-09 the overall net cost of waste collection services per head of population was £17.74. In recent years the council has introduced new waste collection systems, including a food waste pilot scheme. Currently households have at least one method to recycle their household waste.The recycling rate has increased significantly in the last few years. It has risen from 9% in 2004-05 to 26.3% for 2008-9.
Noise
In Northern Ireland, district councils are responsible for taking complaints about noise and where necessary, dealing with the problem through enforcement.The number of complaints was 30% higher in Belfast in 2006 - 07 compared to 2003 - 04. Across Northern Ireland complaints increased by 42% over the four years.
Community safety
Crime in Northern Ireland remains low in comparison to other UK cities. A total of 108,468 offences were recorded during 2007-08 compared with 121,144 in 2006-07. This figure represents a decrease of 10.5% and is the lowest recorded level of crime in Northern Ireland.As a percentage of Northern Ireland total offences, Belfast accounts for 25%. Between 2003 - 04 and 2008 - 09, the crime rate in Belfast fell by 15%. Violence accounted for 29.5% of all crime in Belfast in 2008 - 09.
