Urban Design Introduction and Policy Framework

High quality design that takes account of the history and unique features of a place is fundamental to positive planning and placemaking. The SPPS acknowledges that high quality urban design is a powerful tool for achieving a higher quality of life, greater economic vitality and efficient use of resources. Promoting and protecting high design standards is considered intrinsic to the sustainable growth of the city and can add value to people's lives. More recently Belfast's economy has seen a rapid change with new investment and increased market confidence focussing energy onto the form and image of the city. However future growth within Belfast needs to be managed appropriately to ensure that it occurs in the most suitable locations, enabling the city to flourish as an increasingly attractive and vibrant place in which to live, work and visit, in a way which does not compromise those unique attributes that contribute to its local distinctiveness. It is therefore important that the policy framework continues to require high standards of design in all applications to ensure that the quality of the built environment within the city is preserved and enhanced where needed and has a focus on positive placemaking. Good urban design principles not only apply to the individual design of buildings but should be equally applicable in how they are arranged, how they relate to each other and their surrounding context and how they contribute positively to the creation of good spaces. While individual characteristics of each building, site and area of the city will need to be carefully considered where development is proposed, this policy sets out the general urban design principles upon which such development should be based.