Transforming Four Belfast Urban Spaces: From Grey to Green
Sourced from Belfast City Government
Almost £115,000 is being invested in making the city greener as part of A Bolder Vision for Belfast, thanks to Belfast City Council and the Department for Infrastructure Blue Green Infrastructure fund.
Belfast City Council’s ‘Grey to Green’ initiative invited the city’s businesses, social enterprises, charities, and schools to submit expressions of interest in a fund to support temporary green projects in the city centre, and the successful applicants have now been confirmed.
The Conservation Volunteers has been granted meanwhile use of a section of the Belfast Stories site on Royal Avenue to develop a publicly accessible community garden, using polytunnels, raised planters and vegetable beds for a period of around 18 months. During this time, the environmental charity will also deliver an extensive engagement programme, working with range of minority groups, including adults and young people struggling with mental health issues.
Councillor Clíodhna Nic Bhranair, Chair of Belfast City Council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee, said: “We’ve set an objective of greening the city centre in A Bolder Vision – because we want to encourage biodiversity, help to combat pollution, and make our urban spaces more attractive, pleasant, and liveable.
“We were delighted with these organisations’ visions of how we transform urban spaces from grey to green. We’re really excited to be working with The Conservation Volunteers to deliver a city centre community garden on part of the Royal Avenue site that will become our landmark visitor experience, Belfast Stories, in 2029. We’re also hopeful that the young people and adults involved in creating the space will experience real and lasting benefits in terms of better mental health and wellbeing.
“The Belfast Healthy Cities Advisory Group will be supporting The Conservation Volunteers – and we’ll be encouraging proactive community engagement to create a sense of ownership.
From the Living Architecture Monitor
