Just two years ago, very few public activities took place in the Linen Quarter district of Belfast. Following the formation of a business improvement district for the area (the Linen Quarter BID), the area is now being invested in to the tune of a six figure sum each year to programme a vibrant series of monthly activities, with many major festivals and events extended to the area.

The Linen Quarter BID’s stated aim is to make the area an exciting must-visit destination and “the new home for hospitality”. At a forthcoming free-to-attend online event organised by ACE Northern Ireland on 21 October, guest speaker Chris McCracken from the Linen Quarter BID will explore some key themes in Belfast’s recent development, with a specific focus on the current priority of re-imagining public realm.

Belfast continues to be a city in transition. It has seen significant regeneration and investment since the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, but much still remains to be done. Like other cities across the world, Belfast is now grappling with the post-pandemic priority of creating a city centre built around people, rather than cars.

This webinar will look at the strategies that have shaped the city and some of the major projects completed or underway. Using the Linen Quarter as a case study, the event will also look at how Belfast city centre is being reconfigured to support outdoor hospitality and enhanced social spaces and promoting a model shift to more sustainable and active travel. 

Chris McCracken’s presentation will include the public reception to these changes, the potential reconfiguration of city centre retail, hospitality and offices and some reflections and thoughts on future plans for the city.

The webinar is organised by ACE Northern Ireland but is open to any member. This article originally appeared in Infrastructure Intelligence.