Belfast’s Innovation District spans c400 acres from the city centre to the waterfront and NI’s principal maritime gateway and logistics hub. Home to well-established global businesses, dynamic indigenous companies, education and tourism amenities, a wealth of maritime heritage and a diverse and growing residential population, it’s a vibrant hub for creativity and new discoveries.
Belfast City Airport, Belfast Metropolitan College, Belfast Port, world-leading visitor attraction Titanic Belfast, Queen’s University research centres and Ulster University’s new campus are all based in this core city location.
The Innovation District will also become home to a large proportion of the Belfast Region City Deal projects (across Life and Health Sciences, FinTech, GreenTech and Tourism); investments which will deepen and strengthen Belfast’s innovation capability and capacity.
A large portion of the Innovation District is located in the Belfast Harbour Estate, making it the perfect location to pilot cross-sectoral technological advancements addressing urban and national challenges in areas like mobility and sustainability. A further portion encompasses the inner north-west of the city centre, in close proximity to the newly relocated Ulster University and part of the city’s traditional commercial core. This area also spans emerging residential and mixed land uses, including Belfast Stories, the Belfast Region City Deal flagship visitor attraction, scheduled to open in 2028.
The Innovation District strategy’s key themes: sustainability, infrastructure, investment and connectivity seek to accelerate key local government strategies including the city’s community plan, The Belfast Agenda, A Bolder Vision and Belfast City Centre Regeneration and Investment Strategy.
Belfast: where innovation thrives.