Waterfront Design Panel – Shaping the Future of Belfast’s Waterfront Promenade

At the end of 2023, we launched the Waterfront Promenade Framework, a visionary plan that sets out a clear pathway for transforming the city’s waterfront into a world-class destination. Developed in collaboration with the Waterfront Task Group, the framework is designed to maximise the sustainable development of 10km of world class waterfront promoting active travel, vibrant culture, nature, and heritage.

As future developments emerge, it is essential they align with the agreed vision and make use of the toolkit of interventions, ensuring consistency and quality across the entire stretch of waterfront. To support this, the Waterfront Task Group established a Design Panel to oversee and guide delivery. The Design Panel brings a wealth of expertise, including Oliver Schulze, architect; Dan Anderson, economist; Julian Broster, civil and structural engineer; Diana Fitzsimmons, planner and development surveyor; and Dr. Saul Golden, lecturer in architecture and spatial design

The group came together this week for their first meeting, beginning with a site visit to the Queens Quay Kiosk, an excellent example of how collaboration can drive creative, community-focused, meanwhile projects. The Kiosk has transformed a previously unused area along the waterfront into a welcoming space to relax, enjoy a coffee, and connect with nature through native planting. Paul, co-owner of Native Coffee at the Kiosk, met with the group to share their story and highlight how the vibrant programme of events and activities has contributed to its ongoing success. The Panel were later joined by Callie and Chris from Belfast City Council for a guided walk-through City Quays, where they were given an insight into the proposed plans for ‘Under the Bridges’ project which was later discussed at the panel meeting.

Maritime Belfast Trust also arranged a dinner, offering the panel an opportunity to meet key stakeholder who have an invested the future of the waterfront and to reflect on what has been achieved since the launch of the Framework, which includes the commencement of feasibility work on the new Titanic Quarter to Sailortown Bridge. Representatives from across the Waterfront including neighbourhood communities, heritage and attraction sites as well as nature advocates all shared their views.

The newly established Waterfront Design Panel has now begun its work to ensure future waterfront developments align with Belfast’s shared vision for a world-class promenade. In the longer term the collective goal of the Waterfront Task Group is to secure designation of Belfast Waterfront as a Local Policy Area in Belfast’s Local Development Plan.  In the meantime, the Waterfront Design Panel will play a key role to inform and shape projects at an early stage in their design process. Their inaugural meeting showcased framework achievements, explored emerging proposals, and connected with key stakeholders. Guided by the Waterfront Promenade Framework, the Panel will play a critical role in shaping a seamless, sustainable, accessible, and vibrant waterfront for the benefit of the whole city.

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