Public realm / environmental improvement
The Department has an important role in making our towns and cities look more attractive. We carry out work, which we call Public Realm and Environmental Improvement schemes, to improve public areas whether this is in neighbourhoods, along major roads or in town and city centres.
The purpose of public realm and environmental improvements
Improving the appearance of an area is not just to make people feel good when they visit, shop, work or live there - although that is very important. If an area has been upgraded and is attractive it will be healthier, safer and cleaner and therefore more people will want go there. It also means that businesses will be more likely to invest money, to build or to trade there, which improves the economy and creates jobs.
Vital and viable is the Department's good practice guide for breathing new life into cities and towns in Northern Ireland.
Types of public realm and environmental improvement work
The type of work that is done in an area will depend on what it needs and will be different from place to place. Our aim is to create high quality public spaces and footpaths to encourage better access for all people including those with mobility or sensory issues. The work also provides for seaside promenades, pleasant boulevards and squares that can be used for a range of public activities. This will create spaces where people from all communities can meet, relax and enjoy the surroundings.
Here are some typical examples of the work we do:
- improving street lighting
- widening footpaths for pedestrians
- adding street furniture such as seating, bins and hanging basket stands
- replacing paved walkways with new long-lasting surfaces
- improving how the traffic flows
- providing public art which reflects the history and personality of the area
- planting trees, shrubs and flowers
- creating or improving facilities such as multi-use games areas or play parks
Working with other organisations
The work we do will sometimes join with and add to larger schemes. These can be a mix of government and private sector schemes for example those currently being planned for Belfast, Bangor, Ballymena, Larne, Enniskillen, Strabane and Derry/Londonderry. We will work with other departments and statutory bodies including Transport NI and the 11 Councils.
Where this work is carried out
Public realm and environmental improvement schemes are carried out across Northern Ireland. These are the main types of areas we develop:
- town and city centres
- places that have been selected as Neighbourhood Renewal areas
- along main traffic routes into town and city centres and main roads that connect Neighbourhood Renewal areas to town and city centres
Improving Places projects
The Department has responsibility for a number of different projects that aim to improve places in order to bring about regeneration and lasting change to areas across Northern Ireland.
Contact details
Belfast Regeneration
Belfast Public Realm looks after development in Belfast City Centre and greater Belfast
North West Regeneration
The North West Development Office has responsibility for development in Derry/Londonderry, Strabane and Limavady, (Derry/Londonderry Office) Cookstown, Dungannon, Enniskillen, Magherafelt, Coalisland and Omagh (Omagh Office).
Regional Regeneration
The Regional Development office has responsibility for development outside Belfast and the North West.