David Brett's lecture was fascinating. He highlighted all the geographical reasons for Belfast to form in the way it did. It makes perfect sense that the hills provide a natural barrier. There is no naturally occurring stone, which means bricks are the predominant material.
He then moved on to talk about the man made barriers such as the peace walls and motorway. They dissect the city and make traversing it by foot very difficult. It is become more and more obvious that how pedestrians can move around the city is one of the key factors in how successful it is deemed.
During the height of the troubles swathes of terraces were demolished to make way for new cul-de-sacs. This improved the housing stock, which was in a dire state as landlords failed to maintain it. It is not quite clear whether this was also a way to make more defensible spaces- drive by shootings are impossible in a cul-de-sac. Their exit can also be blocked by just one police landrover.
Mark Hackett talked about 'forum for alternative Belfast' a positive group that he set up to make propositions to continue to use the built environment to break down political and religious tensions. He described how even now, newly built shopping centres have entrances which have been designated (unofficially) as protestant and catholic. Residents still feel unable to go to the opposite side of the space as it crosses a religious boundary. A concept that stuns and amazes me.
Through a considerable about of mapping and proposition he is hoping to improve community confidence, which in turn will improve design/ civic confidence which in tern will lead to commercial confidence. A basic principle, but one I believe has a lot of truth in it. I really, really hope he succeeds. Belfast deserves to be a prosperous city, with content inhabitants.
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