The Place and Economy Department is responsible for driving the future growth and regeneration of the city, creating a sustainable, inclusive, attractive, vibrant, unique and dynamic place to live, visit and invest. This is delivered in the context of outcomes agreed in the Community (Belfast Agenda) and Corporate Plan
The Department leads on:
City Centre Regeneration and Investment and delivery of associated strategies, policies, plans and projects;
Economic Development including high growth sector; small business; skills and employability;
Planning Services, including Development Control and the Local Development Plan (LDP), along with Building Control;
International relations, tourism, culture and arts, and
Events, venue and asset and estates management, including Waterfront and Ulster Hall Ltd, Belfast Zoo, Belfast Castle and Malone House.
This work includes:
Influencing and contributing to regional and city wide development, regeneration and growth strategies and activities;
Strategic oversight of the city centre regeneration and investment strategy, including its physical, social and economic development, and the delivery of associated targets set out in the Belfast Agenda;
Integrating key development areas with the City Centre and surrounding areas;
Overseeing the development of a new Belfast Stories visitor attraction;
Place making and influencing city centre living, housing, infrastructure, transport, and car parking;
Meeting the council’s statutory duties in relation to building control and planning regulation;
Developing and managing the city’s Local Development Plan and associated planning guidance;
Working with other agencies to promote Belfast as a key investment, education, and tourism opportunity and overseeing the strategic marketing of the city;
Developing and implementing city-wide economic strategies and policies;
Developing programmes and actions towards starting new businesses, supporting existing businesses and attracting inward investment;
Developing programmes to help people into employment and improve their skills;
Supporting the growth of tourism to the city, funding and managing key tourism assets;
Coordinating and promoting major citywide events;
Supporting the development of culture, heritage and the arts;
Managing the council’s markets and maximising their benefit to the city, and
Development, management and administration of multiple Council wide grant programmes.