Belfast·LDP Plan Strategy 2035 (adopted 2023)·Page 52·5.8.2
Green and Blue Infrastructure Network Components and Benefits
The green and blue infrastructure network comprises multi-functional spaces including parks, gardens, streets, paths, hedges, trees, woodland, green roofs, green walls, and water features. It provides pedestrian and cycle routes, encourages active lifestyles, reduces traffic congestion and air pollution, creates wildlife corridors, protects ecosystem services, reduces greenhouse emissions, and mitigates flood risk through sustainable drainage systems.
The green and blue infrastructure network will include multi-functional spaces in and around the city, such as parks, gardens, boulevard streets, rights of way, hedges, trees, woodland, green roofs, green walls, rivers and ponds. It will include the routes and corridors such as the designated community greenways, other paths, and civic spaces. A connected city with a green and blue infrastructure network will provide high quality pedestrian, cycle routes and water ways. This can help to encourage an active lifestyle to improve health, whilst promoting the reduction in traffic congestion levels and air pollution. A green and blue infrastructure network will provide valuable wildlife corridors connecting habitats between the city and the countryside. It will help to protect and enhance the ecosystem services, to reduce greenhouse emissions, and incorporating sustainable drainage systems will help mitigate flood risk by slowing and retaining storm water.
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