URBAN REGENERATION IN BELFAST

This Paper examines the contribution of the Laganside Corporation to t he regeneration of the city of Belfast, The opportunity to achieve a c ontinuing improvement in the conditions in which local people live and work has arisen through the identification of surplus industrial, pub lic utility and port lands, These various sites straddle the Lagan, wh ich is a short tidal river much neglected during the rapid development of the Victorian city, The river corridor has been enhanced by the co nstruction of a new weir, and river management has been improved with substantial dredging and the installation of aeration equipment, Acces s to and along the river is being progressively improved by the creati on of public walkways, The Corporation has made good progress with its civic partners, the City Council and the Belfast Harbour Commissioner s, pursuing a development strategy which is based upon a realistic ass essment of market needs, New infrastructure in the area will encourage developer interest-direct grant aid can act as a distortion in the ma rket place and deter private investment, Laganside is already attracti ng new investment and interest in Belfast and Northern Ireland, thereb y creating significant employment opportunities.