HomeKey projects and initiatives
We are committed to making Belfast a better place to live, work, study, invest in and visit. Below is an outline of some of the work we're doing to help meet these objectives. You can also view a list of services we provideInvesting in the city
We are working with other organisations across the city to maintain the progress of recent years. We fully recognise the need for efficiencies in these economically challenging times - but we also need to strike a balance by taking a long term approach and continuing to invest in the development of our city.We have developed a City Investment Strategy to support major projects that will leave a lasting legacy for future generations. We have committed a total of £13 million to four major projects. This has helped leverage a total of £153 million of investment from both public and private sources in:
- The Titanic Signature Project - a world class tourist attraction
- The Lyric and MAC - adding to the city's cultural offering
- the Connswater Community Greenway - a major environmental project.
Health and wellbeing
Stop smoking serviceSo far, 15 businesses and 406 people have taken advantage of our free stop smoking service.
Chinese healthy eating
We worked with the Chinese community to deliver nutrition training to 70 takeaways and restaurants in Belfast.
Tackling health issues
This spring we will deliver a fitter families project to help tackle obesity in the city and we are also involved in the creation on an inter-agency Public Health Unit for Belfast. This will look at local health priorities such as obesity, suicide, health inequalities and projects for older people.
Working with older and younger people
Senior Citizens' ConventionWe recognise that our older people have different needs to other sections of the community. We host an annual Senior Citizens’ Convention, giving older people access to politicians and a chance to have their say.
Youth Forum and playgrounds
Our children and young people are the future of our city and we are committed to finding new ways of working for them and with them. We have continued our work with the Youth Forum and have also continued to improve playground facilities.
Reopening of Belfast City Hall and Ulster Hall
Belfast City Hall and the Ulster Hall, two of the most recognisable and iconic buildings in Belfast, reopened to the public in 2009 after extensive refurbishment schemes. We want everyone who lives in or visits Belfast to enjoy these buildings. They belong to the people of Belfast.As part of the City Hall refurbishment, a new coffee shop and exhibition area have been added.
Renewing the Routes
Our Renewing the Routes initiative was set up to tackle the signs of economic, social, physical and environmental decline along the main roads in Belfast.Over the past three years, £4.1 million of investment from the Integrated Development Fund has allowed us to make improvements to our main roads including the Crumlin Road, Falls Road, Shankill Road and Upper Springfield Road.
Building good relations
Peace III fundingOur Good Relations Partnership is responsible for allocating over £6 million of EU funding under the Peace III programme. This aims to tackle conflict by channelling funds to frontline organisations that are creating shared spaces in our city.
Re-imaging Communities Project
We’ve been working with communities to replace sectarian murals and emblems with more positive images that celebrate the culture of local communities and have installed over 30 pieces of local public art.
Migrants
We’ve also taken the lead in setting up an inter-agency migrant forum to encourage people to work together on migrant and ethnic community issues.
Creating a cleaner, greener Belfast
RecyclingLast year, we raised the city’s recycling rate to 27% (up from 14% in 2005).
Stitch and Style
Over 600 people attended our Stitch and style workshops which encourage people to recycle clothing and over 1,000 pupils attended our 2009 waste fair.
Anti-litter talks
We delivered over 100 anti-litter education talks.
Brighter Belfast Awards
We will be hosting our 5th Brighter Belfast Awards this November which recognise the environmental efforts of Belfast’s schools, businesses, community groups and individuals.
Creating a safer city
Community safety wardensIn September 2009 we launched a citywide warden scheme (along with other partners) to tackle antisocial behaviour. We have also appointed dedicated antisocial behaviour officers to work in the north, south, east and west of the city.
Safer Belfast CCTV pilot
Through the Safer Belfast CCTV project, we’re working to improve community safety in the area around Queen's University in south Belfast. The aim of the project is to help reduce anti-social behaviour and crime in the area and increase the safety of local residents, including students. The project is also aimed at reducing fear of crime within the area.
Tall Ships
In August 2009, Belfast hosted the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge - one of the biggest events our city has ever seen.Over the four day event, an estimated 750,000 people came to watch the 40 magnificent vessels and at least 24,000 of these were out-of state visitors who had made the trip especially for the event.
We worked closely with a range of partners and invested £1.1 million in this event which saw a return of more than £15 million in Belfast and approximately £17 million regionally. It put Belfast firmly on the map as a host city for world class events.
Events in the city
We will continue to host our annual programme of events. It spans the calendar year from the St Patrick’s Day Concert and parade in the spring, to the Christmas lights concert in the winter.Events in 2009 attracted over one million people generating just under £18 million additional economic activity.
