RSUA is participating in a pilor project which hopes to transform Belfast’s Bedford Street from a “go-through” area into a “go-to” area. The Better Bedford Street Project will see the area undergo some environmental improvements to add extra pavement space and remove car parking spaces while a programme of animation will introduce games and walkings tours to showcase what is possible in our towns and cities. The street will also host a live music event on Friday, September 21, as part of Belfast’s Culture Night.
The project is the result of partnership working between central and local government, the business community and a range of other stakeholders.
Ciarán Fox, Director Royal Society of Ulster Architects, one of the main supporters of the Better Bedford Street campaign, added: “If we are serious about making places more attractive for people we need to put people first and we have to be willing to try new things. Over the next two weeks small changes will be taking place in the street which will hopefully make it a more welcoming place for people. I encourage everyone to come down, play a board game, enjoy the music and share your thoughts using #BetterBedfordStreet.
“Thanks to all the architects and landscape architects who have volunteered their time to help make this project happen. As a city it is important that we put good design at the heart of our plans for the future as it can deliver long term benefits to the whole community. This project will help inform projects across the city and beyond.”
The trial will last for around three months after which time it will be reviewed and ‘lessons learned’ fed back to the strategic group.
