Belfast: A City on the Rise

Belfast is a changing, evolving city, bursting with innovation, creativity, and economic possibilities. It is a place that has changed for the better in a short space of time and continues to do so – becoming more and more attractive to tourists, businesses, and new residents.

As we approach the quarter mark of the 21st century, it is worth reflecting on the progress our city has made, and which Belfast City Council has been instrumental in leading.

We remain the economic driver for Northern Ireland. When good things happen here, they are felt not only across our council area, but much wider afield.

Take the opening of Belfast Grand Central Station – Ireland’s largest integrated transport hub, improving our own connections to the rest of Northern Ireland, as well as enhancing transport links along the Dublin-Belfast economic corridor.

The Belfast Region City Deal is now well advanced, delivering real progress on the ground and paving the way for new jobs in advanced manufacturing, digital innovation and tourism, including the landmark Belfast Stories project, expected to open by 2030 along Royal Avenue with the aim of attracting more than 700,000 visitors per year.

Belfast is now routinely mentioned as one of the world’s best destinations for tourists. Condé Nast Traveller described Belfast as ‘becoming one of the coolest spots in Europe’ while their readers voted us the fourth best city in the UK (and one of the friendliest).

And it is a greener city too, recently ranking as the top sustainable tourist destination in the UK, and one of the best in the world. We’ve also been recognised as one of the best places globally for hosting conferences, as well as being named the best event destination in the UK. We will continue to work to realise the ambitions set out in our Local Area Energy Plan.

When Belfast leads, others follow.

Our burgeoning tech and creative industries have gone from strength to strength in the last decade. We are the only UNESCO City of Music on the island of Ireland, we’re building an Innovation District which continues to attract investors and start-ups, and our investment in culture has brought new life and vitality to our creative sector, supporting jobs and building partnerships that will continue long into the future.

But progress like this does not happen by accident.

As well as delivering excellent, value for money services, Belfast City Council has been – and continues to be – instrumental in driving forward this positive change.

Our city’s community plan – the Belfast Agenda – was refreshed this year, along with our partners, and has at its core the goal of sustainable, inclusive growth. That means that all our residents feel the benefits being delivered.

Our elected members are dedicated to helping to create a better city centre – one that is better connected, greener and more vibrant.

New hotels, retail offerings, restaurants and creative spaces have opened in 2024, with more to come over the next year, and the development of Belfast’s waterfront continues apace, with ambitious plans, stretching from Sailortown to Ormeau Park, via the Belfast Waterfront Task Group.

Our Vacant to Vibrant scheme has supported over 30 businesses to bring empty properties back into use as new homes for independent retailers, cultural organisations and new ventures, and has recently been extended citywide. It is a scheme that really delivers for Belfast – every £1 spent will deliver almost £4 back in rates – money that can then be used to further benefit our citizens.

City centre living remains a key priority. Over the past few years, we have welcomed a new, thriving community of students, with the new Ulster University campus and more purpose-built student accommodation facilities revitalising and energising our city core.

 

New housing schemes like Loft Lines in Titanic Quarter are introducing different models for living, we are continuing to explore options to deliver over £1 billion of multi-site, residential-led, mixed-use developments and our Local Development Plan is focused on striking the right balance between people and planet.

Local communities and our citizens are the beating heart of our city.

Through the Belfast Agenda, we are committed to improving the lives of our citizens. The past year has been a busy one for delivering projects that directly benefit communities across the city.

Two new community hubs have been completed with support from the PEACE IV programme – the Shankill Shared Women’s Centre and Black Mountain Shared Space, a total investment of around £15 million – while work is due to start soon on the Strand Arts Centre in east Belfast, restoring this historic gem for new generations to enjoy.

We have also secured multi-million PEACEPLUS funding to deliver 16 cross-community initiatives over the next three years and improve the links between the Waterworks and Alexandra Park in north Belfast.

Our elected members remain focused on helping those most in need in our society, with ongoing support for social supermarkets, schools and food banks via our hardship fund, as well as skills academies for those who may be unemployed, underemployed, or seeking a better job. Last year, over 600 people completed an academy, with almost 90% moving into employment as a result, while the Belfast Business Promise is supporting employers to ‘give back’ through fairer wages and improved social value.

This is the Belfast Agenda at work, delivering a brighter future, in a compassionate city, where everyone can prosper.

There are plenty of challenges, no doubt, from kickstarting stalled developments to pressures on community relations, housing, educational attainment, low incomes and the environmental emergency.

But we are not done yet.

In 2025, we will continue to advance Belfast’s prosperity and vibrancy, to make our city a centre of culture, innovation, and sustainability, and to ensure everyone can benefit from the change we are delivering.

Pro tanto quid retribuamus – What shall we give back in return for so much?

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