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Waterfront 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-buildingcommercialComponents 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-designRequirements 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-planningaccessaccessibilityConnectivity and Movement Patterns
4.3.1Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
It is not solely the patterns of streets and building blocks that create places, another vital component is the movement patterns of the people utilising them. Ensuring people can walk, cycle and comm
accesssite-planningpublic-buildingEnhancing Connectivity and Permeability
4.3.2Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Within the city there are a number of unique and distinctive streets, alleyways and connections that contribute to the permeability of the city such as those that make up the Cathedral Quarter. There
accesssite-planningconservationWell-Designed Movement Requirements
4.3.3Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Well-designed movement throughout the city can be established through clearly defined streets that are; Safe and secure. Accessible for all. Multi-functional to provide choice to users to utilise acti
accessaccessibilitysite-planningexternal-spacePolicy DES1: Principles of Urban Design - Enclosure and Continuity
DES1(c)Belfast·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: (c) Providing adequate levels of enclosure and co
accesssite-planningDefining and demarcating public and private spaces
4.3.6Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
The spaces between and surrounding buildings are as important as the buildings themselves. It is essential that these spaces are considered early on in the design process to ensure they are contextual
site-planningexternal-spaceaccessAnimating public spaces in residential, office and mixed-use schemes
4.3.7Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Within residential, office and mixed-use schemes, it is important to animate public spaces to provide opportunities for social interaction. Spaces should be clearly defined, overlooked and accessible
dwellingcommercialnon-domesticsite-planningexternal-spaceaccessBuilding relationship to surrounding spaces and boundary treatments
4.3.9Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Well-designed buildings should relate positively to spaces surrounding them that are appropriate to their context for those utilising them and others passing by. Appropriately designed boundary treatm
dwellingexternal-spacesite-planningaccessDiverse uses to encourage multiple activities
4.4.2Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Embedding a diverse range of uses that encourage people to; • Commute – accessible walking, cycling routes that align with anticipated desire lines and natural sightlines to make legible connections t
external-spacepublic-buildingopen-spaceaccessaccessibilityPolicy DES1: Principles of urban design - adaptable public realm
Policy DES1(d)Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Creating adaptable and well connected public realm that supports welcoming pedestrian environments.
external-spacepublic-buildingopen-spaceaccessFostering inclusive design - children's infrastructure
4.5.1Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Public realm has generally been colonised by vehicular traffic which makes the need for communal and private residential amenity spaces more critical. Increasingly the council has moved to prioritise
dwellingnon-domesticresidentialaccessexternal-spaceplacemakingDesigning for an aging population
4.5.2Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
By 2036 one in four of the UK's population will be over 65 years of age. Designing for an aging population and incorporating 'healthy aging' characteristics to buildings and spaces, whereby older peop
dwellingnon-domesticaccessibilityaccessplacemakingInclusive design through high-quality form and appearance
4.5.3Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
The form and appearance of buildings and spaces can contribute to a sense of inclusion and cohesion. Proposals will be encouraged to provide consistent high-quality design to ensure the 10 qualities o
dwellingnon-domesticaccessibilityaccessplacemakingPolicy DES1 - Principles of urban design (inclusive design requirement)
DES1(e)Belfast·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: (e) Fostering inclusive design that promotes acce
dwellingnon-domesticaccessibilityaccessplacemakingsite-planningNatural surveillance through design features
Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Natural surveillance can be enhanced by providing additional opportunities for eyes on the street. Balconies and higher density living can encourage this when designed appropriately. Inclusive design
placemakingurban-designpublic-realmresidentialsafetyaccessexternal-spacePromoting healthy environments
4.8.1Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
The success and viability of well designed places is reliant on how connected they are. Developments will be encouraged to provide access to walking and cycling provisions and public transport to faci
accessaccessibilityactive-travelsite-planningsustainable-developmentHierarchy of streets - Primary streets
4.8.2Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Primary streets are busy thriving streets that prioritise pedestrians, cyclists and public transport, but also carry higher traffic flows. Emphasis should be placed on how to safely integrate all leve
accesssite-planningstreet-hierarchyactive-travelHierarchy of streets - Secondary streets
4.8.3Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Secondary streets connect primary streets into neighbourhoods and while they can facilitate traffic movement they can also accommodate a number of uses such as on-street seating and spill out spaces.
accesssite-planningstreet-hierarchyexternal-spaceHierarchy of streets - Local/tertiary streets
4.8.4Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Local/tertiary streets can take on many forms dependant on the size, character and location of development. They can comprise laneways and courts and tend to be more intimate in character where pedest
accesssite-planningstreet-hierarchyexternal-spacePolicy DES1: Principles of urban design - clause (h)
Policy DES1 (h)Belfast·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: (h) Promoting healthy environments and sustainabl
accessaccessibilityactive-travelsite-planningsustainable-developmentgreen-infrastructurePrimary Streets
Image 37Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Primary streets can accommodate carriageways, dedicated bus lanes, prioritised cycle lanes, laybys for servicing requirements and planting/green strips. These streets can also include wide footways to
site-planningexternal-spaceaccessSecondary Streets
Image 38Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Secondary streets are largely vehicular routes with clearly designated cycle paths and footpaths.
site-planningexternal-spaceaccessTertiary Streets
Image 39Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Tertiary streets should feel pedestrian focused with cycle provision and reduced traffic.
site-planningexternal-spaceaccessCommon issues with bin storage design
4.11.7Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
If not carefully considered at the outset of the design process, common issues that can arise include; • Visual clutter - caused by impact of bins placed along street, in residential front gardens or
dwellingresidentialcommercialaccessaccessibilityexternal-spacesite-planningBin storage area design requirements
4.11.8Belfast·SPG005 Placemaking and Urban Design
Bin storage areas should be appropriately designed so that they are easily accessible and well-integrated within the proposed layout. In the case of residential development, bins should be stored in e
dwellingresidentialcommercialaccessexternal-spacesite-planning