9 October 2002
BARCELONA SETS AN EXAMPLE FOR LONDONDERRY
The Minister for Social Development, Nigel Dodds MP, MLA, today announced that WS Atkins will this week publish their preliminary proposals for the Londonderry "Heart of the City, Urban Design Study."
The preliminary report includes ambitious and imaginative proposals for the future regeneration of the city and makes strategic proposals for the key riverside sites of Ebrington, Fort George and Queen’s Quay.
The Londonderry Development Office commissioned the "Heart of the City" study in response to the City Vision – First Plan for Progress, published in 2000. It aims to achieve better urban design and higher quality architecture, through an integrated planning process which takes account of a wider regional context and the views of local people.
In advance of submitting their final proposals to the Londonderry Development Office, WS Atkins are consulting the public through a series of workshops. Welcoming the consultation, the Minister said: "Cities such as Barcelona have used this master planning tool to reinvent and reinvigorate their cities. I am delighted that my Department, through the Londonderry Development Office, has initiated a civic debate about the future physical development of this historic city through the "Heart of the City" study."
"Everyone should have an opportunity to give their views on the Urban Design Study, which contains some imaginative and ambitious proposals for Londonderry. It is also important that the public sector agree an appropriate way to take forward this study, in partnership with others, including the City Council, the private sector and especially those in the Community and Voluntary sector who have played such a key role to date in the regeneration process."
The Minister confirmed that W S Atkins will present their final proposals early in November and that his Department intends to undertake further extensive public consultations on these over the following months.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The consultations and workshops, which will take place on both sides of the river, will include public exhibitions of the Atkins’ proposals in the Foyleside and Lisnagelvin Shopping Centres during the week beginning 14 October.
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