Why is urban development and planning essential for peacebuilding efforts in Belfast?
Keywords
Loading...
Authors
Issue Date
2024-12-01
Language
en
Document type
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Title
ISSN
Volume
Issue
Startpage
Endpage
DOI
Abstract
This thesis explores how the ongoing divide between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland continues to shape daily life and community development, even years after the peace process began. Focusing on Belfast as a case study, it looks at how urban planning and urban development initiatives can play a role in breaking down barriers by creating opportunities for connection, improving shared spaces, and encouraging local people to have a say in planning process. This ensures a bottom-up approach to urban development.
Through interviews, policy reviews, and updated census data, I’ve looked at the challenges of building connections across divided communities, while also highlighting examples of initiatives that have worked well. A big focus is on the importance of grassroots efforts, like those promoting the Irish language and sports, which have shown how cultural projects can bring people together and tackle long-standing tensions. An ethnographic approach gave me a good sense of people’s reactions to projects and initiatives in their communities and being out in the field deepened my understanding of the long-lasting effects of the conflict.
The findings show that urban planning needs to be community focused, with a long-term view that prioritises shared spaces and meaningful engagement with local residents. By linking this to broader ideas about post-conflict cities, the research demonstrates how inclusive planning can help create stronger, more united communities. The power of planning to drive social change is seen clearly in this thesis and it offers lessons for making cities fairer and more inclusive in divided societies. Overall, I look back on my time in Belfast with great fondness and with a sense of pride
Description
Citation
Faculty
Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen