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Overview of Placemaking and Urban Design
1.1Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Good urban places within our towns and cities, where people live, work and socialise, are influenced by quality placemaking and urban design. Places that are sustainable, inclusive, enjoyable and safe
site-planningurban-designexternal-spacePurpose and Scope of SPG005 Guidance
1.2Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
This Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) provides advice and guidance specific to placemaking and urban design. It applies to the Belfast City Council area and is intended to be a point of reference
site-planningurban-designRegional Development Strategy (RDS) 2035
2.1.1Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
The RDS provides regional guidance under the three sustainable development themes of economy, society and environment in relation to design issues. Policy RG7 supports urban and rural renaissance by r
site-planningexternal-spaceurban-designStrategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS) - Placemaking Approach
2.1.2Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
The SPPS outlines that good design can change lives, communities and neighbourhoods for the better. It also outlines that new buildings and their surroundings have a significant effect on the characte
site-planningexternal-spaceurban-designSPPS - Key Principles for Successful Placemaking
2.1.3Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
The SPPS states that the key to successful placemaking is identifying the assets of a particular place as well as developing a vision for its future potential. This includes the relationship between d
site-planningexternal-spaceurban-designLocal Development Plan (LDP) Plan Strategy
2.2.1Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
The Local Development Plan (LDP) Plan Strategy provides the strategic policy framework for the plan area as a whole across a range of thematic areas. It sets out the vision for Belfast as well as the
site-planningexternal-spaceurban-designRejection of Poor Design
2.2.2Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
The SPPS states that poor design should be rejected, particularly proposals that are inappropriate to their context, including schemes that are clearly out of scale, or incompatible with their surroun
site-planningexternal-spaceurban-designLocal Policies Plan and Placemaking Context
2.2.3Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Once adopted, the Local Policies Plan (LPP) will set out site-specific proposals in relation to the development and use of land in Belfast. It will contain local policies, including site-specific prop
site-planningplacemakingPolicy Framework for Urban Design and Placemaking
Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Policy DES1 Principles of Urban Design sits below overarching Strategic Policies in particular SP5 Positive Placemaking and its consideration alongside a range of accompanying topic based policies wit
site-planningplacemakingurban-designPositive Placemaking Definition and Approach
3.1.1Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
A multi-faceted, people centred approach to the planning, design, and stewardship of public spaces, placemaking is a transformative approach that inspires people to shape, create and improve their pla
site-planningexternal-spacePlacemaking Response to Urban Needs
3.1.2Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
While the built urban environment of the city is diverse, so too are the needs and requirements of those who live, work and socialise there. Ever changing social, economic and environmental conditions
site-planningexternal-spacepublic-buildingBelfast Placemaking Opportunities
3.1.3Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Strategically Belfast plays a significant role in the growth of the region with the city in more recent years benefitting from increased inward investment, significant regeneration and major growth wi
site-planningexternal-spaceLiving Places Quality Standards
3.1.4Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
The qualities highlighted within 'Living Places: An Urban Stewardship and Design Guide for Northern Ireland', are outlined below and should be pursued by all those involved in shaping our urban enviro
site-planningexternal-spacePolicy SP5: Positive Placemaking
SP5Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
The council will support development that maximises the core principles of good placemaking in the creation of successful and sustainable places.
site-planningexternal-spaceTen Characteristics of Successful Places
3.1.4Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
1. Visionary – clarity of purpose and direction 2. Collaborative – shared in use, management and planning 3. Contextual – the right fit that reinforces a sense of place 4. Responsible – resource effic
site-planningplacemakingurban-designDeveloper Responsibility for Creating Liveable Places
3.1.5Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
There is a responsibility within the development process to facilitate changes, whether big or small, that create responsible, resource efficient and liveable places. Effective use of spaces, local fe
site-planningplacemakingurban-designHigh Design Quality Standards for Development
3.1.7Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
It is important that new development is of high design quality which is both achievable and sustainable and helps create places where people want to live, work, and socialise. The policies within the
site-planningplacemakingurban-designUnderstanding Built and Natural Context for Good Placemaking
3.1.8Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Variations in character throughout the city, which can result in an eclectic mix of physical characteristics and architectural styles, offer visually unique experiences. The purpose of this section is
site-planningplacemakingurban-designconservationCity Centre Context and Character
3.1.10Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Today Belfast city centre is distinct and identifiable lying to the west of the River Lagan and bounded by major roads to the west and north (the Westlink and M3). The southern part of the city centre
site-planningurban-designconservationpublic-buildingCity Corridors - Role and Function
3.1.11Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
The city centre is linked to the suburbs by a number of city corridors (arterial routes). These city corridors not only play an important role in connecting the residential areas of the surrounding su
site-planningurban-designpublic-realmCity Corridors - Reconnecting Divided Communities
3.1.12Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
However not all city corridors are as highly connected as others, many such as Shankill, Crumlin and Falls Road have developed as boundaries between communities. The approach to development along such
site-planningurban-designpublic-realmcommunityThe Docks and River Lagan - Amenity Value and Regeneration
3.1.13Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
The Docks and River Lagan have high amenity value within the city, providing it with valuable blue infrastructure that helps support biodiversity and our natural heritage. With regards to its built fo
external-spaceconservationopen-spaceWaterfront Development and Accessible Connections
3.1.14Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
More recent developments along the waterfront have seen the emergence of new industries linked to film production, as well as major tourist attractions such as the Titanic Signature building emerging
accesssite-planningpublic-buildingcommercialSurrounding Hills and Coastline - Scenic and Environmental Benefits
3.1.15Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
The hills and coastline help define the city and provide not only a unique scenic backdrop but also numerous amenity and environmental benefits that help create Belfast's distinctive sense of place. T
site-planningexternal-spacecontextCommunity Knowledge and Contextual Understanding
3.1.16Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Our communities are in a unique position to enable this, through their knowledge and understanding of the area that surrounds them. Applicants should draw on this knowledge and the guidance in this do
site-planningBuilt Heritage Designations and Character Protection
3.1.17Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
The quality of urban areas is also outlined through built heritage designations. The city has numerous listed buildings and monuments, conservation areas and areas of townscape character. These design
conservationDistinctive Character and Sensitive Development Design
3.1.18Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Understanding the distinctive character of urban areas provides the basis for adding to these communities in a meaningful way and enables new development to be designed sensitively. These features, th
site-planningHigh quality design and placemaking fundamentals
4.1.1Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
High quality design is fundamental to delivering positive placemaking. Well-designed places will aim to make meaningful connections with their immediate and wider context to create places that benefit
site-planningurban-designCollaborative design development process
4.1.2Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Design development should be a collaborative process, bringing together the skills and knowledge of a wide variety of professionals along with the community from the early stages of the development pr
site-planningContext-sensitive development
4.1.3Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Any new development should improve on the existing situation, and at the same time be sensitive to its context. An understanding of the context, history and cultural characteristics of an area and its
site-planningurban-designSite and surroundings assessment
4.1.4Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
The starting point for any development is an assessment of its site and its surroundings. This covers existing landscape and buildings as well as the social, economic and environmental needs of the ex
site-planningPolicy DES1: Principles of urban design - local context and character
DES1Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Planning permission will be granted for new development that is of a quality, sustainable design that makes a positive contribution to placemaking by: (a) Responding positively to local context and ch
site-planningurban-designInitial Contextual Studies - Purpose and Timing
4.1.5Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
It is essential that a scheme can communicate its understanding of context clearly and simply. Initial contextual studies demonstrating site analysis, context review and the appropriate response, shou
site-planningurban-designComponents of Initial Contextual Studies - Built Form Analysis
4.1.5Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Analysis of the built form of an area, including, height, scale, massing, proportion, plot width, building lines, rhythm, roofscape, materials and the impact on the built and natural heritage.
site-planningurban-designconservationComponents of Initial Contextual Studies - Natural Form Assessment
4.1.5Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
An assessment of the natural form of an area, its geography and environmental conditions, topography, proximity to flood zones and landscape features such as tree coverage.
site-planningurban-designcoastalComponents of Initial Contextual Studies - Movement and Accessibility
4.1.5Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Reviewing the levels of movement and accessibility of an area; walkability, ease of access to cycle lanes and public transport connections as well as traffic flows, parking availability and areas of p
site-planningaccessurban-designComponents of Initial Contextual Studies - Mix of Uses and Activities
4.1.5Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Understanding the mix of uses, daily activities and patterns within the area; residential, commercial, retail, community facilities, leisure/ social venues, open/public spaces and hours of operation (
site-planningurban-designComponents of Initial Contextual Studies - Socio-Economic Characteristics
4.1.5Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Cognisance of socio/economic characteristics such as surrounding demographics, vacancy levels, housing need, crime statistics etc. which while not always visible, will play a key role in the design an
site-planningurban-designProportionality of Contextual Analysis Detail
4.1.5Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
An understanding and awareness of these factors and the conclusions arising from this analysis work start to create opportunities within the design process. The detail of contextual analysis should be
site-planningurban-designLocal identity and character in development
4.1.6Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Local identity and character are shaped by the history, heritage and culture of place and the people who have lived there. Understanding the history of how an area has evolved is important in determin
site-planningcontextSustainable reuse and adaptive reuse of existing buildings
4.1.7Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
This is of particular importance when considering the redevelopment and adaptive reuse of existing buildings and larger redevelopment sites. The sustainable reuse of buildings can contribute to the ar
site-planningcontextconservationNew development in heritage settings
4.1.8Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
New development within the setting of built heritage assets should aim to conserve, protect and where possible enhance their surroundings. While high quality design does not need to mimic their surrou
site-planningcontextconservationUrban form definition and characteristics
4.1.9Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Urban form refers to the function, shape and three-dimensional pattern or arrangement of streets, buildings and spaces. It includes identifiable characteristics such as building scale, height and mass
site-planningexternal-spaceRequirements for new development form and character
4.1.10Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Taking cues from surrounding patterns of development that contribute to the layout, grain and scale of the city's many character areas is essential, whether this be the civic scale of the city centre
site-planningaccessaccessibilityBuilding form, height, scale and massing design
4.1.11Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
New development should consider the mix and type of buildings, their form, height, scale and massing as well as their proportions, articulation and materials. Where an area is characterised by consist
site-planningScale, density and character compatibility
4.1.12Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
The ability to identify the positive influence that these elements can have within an urban block or individual building, allows for development to achieve a scale and proportion that is easily recogn
site-planningAvoiding cul-de-sacs and promoting connectivity
4.1.13Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
It is important to point out that there will be areas within the city that lack a sense of place and local distinctiveness due to poor layouts and design that inhibit permeability and inclusivity. In
site-planningurban-designUsing historical research to inform placemaking
4.1.14Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Historical research can positively inform placemaking, especially within areas of the historic environment where local characteristics have been lost and the opportunity exists to reinstate qualities
conservationurban-designReinforcing a sense of place through character and identity
4.2.1Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
The identity and character of a place is established not only by the pattern of buildings, streets and spaces, landscape and infrastructure but also by how these spaces are used and experienced on a d
site-planningexternal-spaceplacemakingDesign approaches for balancing distinctive identity with local character
4.2.2Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
New developments should aspire to improve and enhance the area they sit in. It is important that proposals balance the need to have their own distinctive identity but also one that fits into the estab
site-planningplacemakingexternal-space