Derry~Londonderry Place Partnering Visit - The Academy of Urbanism

7/30/2019 Derry~Londonderry Place Partnering Visit - The Academy of Urbanism

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The Academy of Urbanism | Place Partnering | Derry~Londonderr y |

Place Partnering

Diagnostic Visit

Derry-Londonderry

23-24 April 202


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The Academy of Urbanism | Place Partnering | Derry~Londonderry | 3

Contents

1. Background

2. Context

3. Diagnosis

4. Recommendations

5. Apendix 1 & 2

03

06

08

22

26

The Academy of Urbanism is an autonomous, politically

independent, cross-sector organisation formed in 2006 to expand

urban discourse.

The Academy brings together an active and diverse group of

thinkers, decision-makers and practitioners involved in the social,

cultural, economic, political and physical development of ourvillages, towns and cities.

The Academy seeks to identify, learn from and promote best

practice in urbanism.

For more information please visit academyofurbanism.org.uk


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The Academy of Urbanism | Place Partnering | Derry~Londonderry |

The conversations we had were friendly and helpful. They were also rigorous and challenging.

Panel members, over more than 2 hours intensive engagement with Derry-Londonderry and

Government representatives, gained a reasonable and sufcient understanding of circumstances to

offer this diagnosis of the relationship between the various issues, perspectives and objectives, and

the obstacles to long term success for the community as a whole that should be addressed. The

conduct and productivity of the Panel sessions were widely acknowledged by those involved at the

time, and we trust this report will be similarly received.

In addition to incorporating the comments of local participants in the diagnostic visit, this report

also includes, where relevant, the further exploration of issues in the workshop sessions of the

Academys Annual Congress held in Derry-Londonderry two weeks after the Panel visit, on 9-

May 202. These sessions were informed by the topics the Panel considered the most impor tant

and pressing.

This report has been nalised in the light of further comments received from participants on thedraft report circulated in July 202. The Panel is aware that not all participants agree with all of its

analysis or its suggestions, and that there may be some disappointment or disquiet as a resu lt. We

must emphasise that this is not a consultancy report, and that the intention was not to attempt

to achieve a consensus, or to accommodate all local opinion. We offer the combined assessment

of an independent group of professionals with experience in elds relevant to the future success

of the city of Derry-Londonderry, based on what we heard and saw. It is for local interests to

compare our perspective with their own and others and to decide whether or not to pursue our

recommendations.

It is not for the Panel to support or reject the One Plan, political manifestos or business plans,

but to offer a fresh perspective that might stimulate useful action in a place that seems to us

to struggle to make sustained economic, social and environmental progress. There were some

concerns that we had ignored or dismissed some important local issues, however, and we have

tried to clarify our position accordingly. It is inevitable that we will not have understood the depth

of some of the issues, but such greater understanding among others does not yet seem to have

secured the future success of the City, and what might seem radical suggestions just might unlock

trapped potential.

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The Academys Place Partnering programme offers places selected as nalists in the Academys

Urbanism Awards the expertise and experience of Academicians to help them tackle obstacles

to longer term and broader success. It is offered as a diagnostic service, to help, encourage

and challenge the diverse interests that inuence the success of places to recognise and tackle

the issues and opportunities that are of greatest importance. (A copy of the prospectus for

participating places is at Appendix .)

The visit to Derry-Londonderry was associated with the Academys Annual Congress, held in

Derry-Londonder ry in May 202. The Department of Culture and Leisure (DCAL) provided

grant funding to cover the cost to run the place partnering diagnostic visit. DCALs Ministerial

Advisory Group on Architecture and the Built Environment (MAG) assisted and participated in thevisit. Additional supporting sponsorship was provided by Inner City Trust; Derry-Londonderr y City

Council and ILEX, the URC responsible for urban regeneration projects in Derry-Londonderry.

The primary purpose of the exercise was to help the people of Derry-Londonderry build

on their success in receiving the Academys Great Town Award 202, by identifying potential

obstacles to longer term and broader success. The secondary purpose was to provide an insight

for Government and local representatives into methods of enquiry that may help the new local

authorities which come into being in 20, to take up their new responsibilities for planning.

The brief for the visit and the breadth of participation was co-ordinated in advance of the visit

by Mary Kerr igan, locally based MAG Expert Advisor, and Steven Bee, AoU Director. It was

agreed locally by the MAG Chair, Arthur Acheson, and secretariat at DCAL , Planning NI, Derry-

Londonderry City Council, and ILEX.

The visit was held on 23 and 24 April 202. The Academy Panel comprised a chairman, a

rappor teur, and three panel members. All gave their time free of charge. They met a total of 32

representatives from the Derry-Londonderry City Council, ILEX Urban Regeneration Company,

APEX Housing Association, Walled City Par tnership, Foyle Civic Trust, Inner City Trust, City Centre

Initiative, Chamber of Commerce, Rathmor Centre, Holywell Trust, MAG member s, PSNI, DoE

(NI), DSD, DRD Roads Service, Into the West, Derry-Londonderry Well Women, Transition Derry-

Londonderry, City Traders Forum other representatives of local community, business, amenityorganisations and other interests.

MAG members observed the process, and PLACE the architecture centre for NI recorded

the event on the rst day and will provide a summary transcript. The full list people involved is

recorded in Appendix Two. The presentations from, and questioning by the Panel of, all those

who participated was in open session. In the interests of continuing open discussion, opinions and

positions are not directly attributed, and this report reects the tone and intention of what was

said by all.

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Background.


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Physical

The Panel focussed its attention on the historic core of Derry-Londonderry on the west bank of the

Foyle, on both sides of the town wall, and the former Ebrington Barracks site on the eas t bank. We

took into account the wider context of the City, and local participants referred to the role of the city

centre to the Northwest region as a whole.

The Panel had received a copy of the One Plan, prepared for ILEX, and was familiar with its main

points prior to arrival. We had also reviewed the Development Plan and other information relating to

Derry-Londonder ry. We did not explore in any detail the Foyle Gateway area, or the sites for housing

development identied in the wider area.

The Panel had a guided tour of the city centre, including the adjacent parts of the Bogside, the

City Walls, the Peace Bridge and Ebr ington Barracks. We also toured the wider area of the City, in

particular the Bogside, Creggan and Queens Quay areas.

Community

The progress made in rebuilding the City and the

community in the wake of the disturbances of the

970s, 80s and 90s was one of the reasons why the

City received the Academys Great Town Award.

The enthusiasm of the agencies and individuals

involved is remarkable and heartening. It is one of

the features that are likely to attract visitors and

hopefully investors in the future.

The Troubles had exacerba ted the economic

disadvantage wrought by Derry-Londonderrys

20th century history and its peripheral

geographical location. The efforts to restore social

and economic wellbeing since the Good Friday

Agreement have stalled, inevitability, as a result of

the economic downturn. Overcoming generationsof enmity between communities is difcult enough

in a context of growing prosperity; when times

remain hard for a long time, the tendency to resort

to past loyalties and prejudices must be a risk. The

local representatives that the Panel met, while well

aware of this r isk, were united in their optimism for

the future, and in their commitment to initiatives

that ensure that the whole community moves

forward together.

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2.2.

2.3.

2.4.

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Context2.

The representatives that the

Panel met...were united in

their optimism for the future,

and in their commitment to

initiatives that ensure that

the whole community moves

forward together.


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The Panel received diverse presentations on the rst afternoon from different perspectives. Some

were highly structured, technical and focused; others broad-brush, heartfelt, and personal. All helped

the Panel to take multiple bearings on the issues raised. We were able to test the accuracy of our

emerging perspectives in conversation with individuals that evening, and with local representatives

together on the morning of the second day.

The presentations were clustered to ensure a good representation of interests during the time available.

Only the education cluster was unrepresented on the day, which was unfortunate, as the Panel

concluded that this was a crucial topic (see later).

The Panels diagnosis does not directly reect the cluster of interested parties, but draws common

threads and conicts that we think should be addressed if the best use is to be made of human and

nancial resources.

We present our diagnosis of the current chances of long term success for Derry-Londonderr y underve main headings: Cultural legacy; the historic core; the River; Ebrington; and project co-ordination.

Cultural legacy

The Great Town Award, and the selection of Derry- Londonderry as the 203 UK Capital of Culture,

demonstrate the increasingly widespread recognition of Derry-Londonderrys distinctive history, culture

and physical legacy. The origins of the City are not just remar kable, they are still part of the Citys

communal consciousness, four hundred years after its foundation. It was a model on which many of the

early settlements of the New World were based, and has shaped the destiny, for good and ill, of millions

of people across the world since.

While this should instil a sense of pride and self-condence in the community of Derry-Londonderr y, it

remains a source of division between the successors of those who came and those who were already

here in 1613. Historic places elsewhere in the British Isles, often born out of conict and dissent, have a

detached view of their history, recognising the relevance of past conict to their heritage, but no longer

tied to the enmity that generated it. As time allows the people of Derry-Londonderr y as a whole to

move away from the shadow of oppression, occupation and exploitation and achieve this detachment,

the Panel felt that the community will be able to acknowledge and value the heritage of the plantation

town that survives in the walls, the historic buildings they enclose, and the buildings of quality in theconservation areas around the city centre. These are no longer tools of repression, and may in future

be used, enjoyed and valued as part of a shared heritage, in the same way that Egypt can celebrate

the Pyramids, and the United Kingdom its Norman castles, without having to resent the slavery and

domination that created them.

As the City has expanded, there has been an inevitable demand for services to meet the needs of

the expanding city, and district centres provide community and commercial services locally. Historic

sectarian differences have inuenced the location of these community facilities health, education

and welfare, and social housing leading to a geographical distribution that would be counter-intuitive

if efcient provision of services were the only criterion. The Panel felt that continuing such special

consideration is likely to perpetuate the communitys consciousness of such differences in the long term,

and slow the progress of distancing itself from the Troubles.

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3.2.

3.3.

3.4.

3.5.

3...

3..2.

3..3.

Diagnosis3. Diagnosis3.

The origins of the City are

not just remarkable, they

are still part of the Citys

communal consciousness,

four hundred years after its

foundation


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One of the positive outcomes of efforts in recent decades is the growing social enterprise sector

emerging as the City nds new ways of overcoming economic and historic disadvantages. The Panel

considered this modern example of resilience to be founded on sound principles and offering an

example for other places to study and learn from.

Neighbourhood-based initiatives have however diverted attention and investment away from the

city centre. There ha s been a remarkable rebuilding progr amme in recent years, but the city centre

still needs attention (see later). The Panel under stood the historic associations of the walled city and

its location on the west bank of the Foyle in what became the predominantly Catholic side of the

town. We did not feel however that this was sufcient reason to divert future investment elsewhere.

The historic city centre has been and should be the centre for the whole community, and promoted

as such. This makes economic as well as social sense. If the economy is to grow by attracting new

investment and visitors, they will expect convenient and co-located features and attractions, easily

accessible and well-serviced.

Current proposals associated with the City of Culture propose to move some facilities to the

Waterside (east bank) side of the River Foyle, to reduce the perception among its predominantly

Protestant residents that they are neglected and excluded. While this may be historically the case,

the moving of facilities like the Maritime Museum, and the location of City of Culture facilities outside

the city centre will divert resources and lose the benets of co-location. The Panel understood

the reasons for relocating the City of Culture ofces from the former Northern Counties Hotel at

Magazine Gate but we felt that this area should remain an important focal point for public activities and

would encourage further efforts to engage the whole community in the long term public purpose of

Guildhall Square and the buildings around it.

While the plans for next years events are progressing, little has yet been implemented. Changing plans

now will be difcult and risky, but the Panel was rmly of the view that existing and new permanent

cultural facilities should be concentrated in and around the historic city centre that is the walled city

and its immediate environs on the city side. The Panel saw vacant buildings that could be available for

short term or permanent reuse . For example, half of the Supervalu supermarket in Waterloo Place is

vacant, as is St Columbs Hall, and there are likely to be others that are underused. The Panel could see

the value of the Ebrington Barracks site for large scale events during the City of Culture year, but we

did not think it was a suitable location for the main City of Culture venue (see later).

The Panel were surprised that among the ideas being worked up for celebrating the regions culture,food did not seem to play a part. It may be that the lush pastures of the region produce mainly dairy

products, but throughout Europe, regional food produce and dishes are becoming an important

component of local identity and tourism marketing. Searching out, or indeed creating, Derry-

Londonderry-specic foodstuffs and dishes, and promoting high standards of catering will be essential if

higher visitor interest is to be attracted and sustained.

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3...

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The historic city centre

The fascinating, unique and difcult history of Derry-Londonderry is represented in the layout,

development and use of the historic city centre the walled city and its immediate sur roundings. The

defensible location on the hill on an island in the Foyle is the reason for its existence, and the benets

and constraints of that are still evident today. The western channel the Bogside may have been

drained and developed, but the main channel of the fast owing river provides a dramatic setting for

the historic settlement that was praised in the Eighteenth Century, and could yet be again. Much of the

historic fabric of the City, in par ticular the city walls, are associated with past occupation, domination

and conict. That is no d ifferent from most European cities, many of which have suffered far greater

abuse and destruction than Derry-Londonderry. Whatever their origin and original purpose, these

heritage assets are not only available to be enjoyed by the local community as a whole, but are the

basis of the local distinctiveness of Derry-Londonderry that will prove increasingly popular to tourists

seeking new places and cultural stimulation.

The people to whom the Panel spoke were very clear and open about the nature and complexity of

community relations. We agreed that if the city as a whole can be similarly open, and acknowledge the

differing interpretations put on the signicance of places and events; if it can present these for locals

and visitors to reect on and app reciate, the troubled history might be laid to rest more quickly. The

commitment to peace seems to be an important feature of modern life in Derry-Londonderry, despite

the occasional reverberations of past anger. The Peace Bridge is an important contribution to the

heritage of the City, and seems to be successful, both symbolically and in its usefulness. There is grea t

potential to push this combination of symbolism and accessibility further.

The western landfall

of the Peace Bridge is

inconveniently obstructed

by the main road along the

riverside. The Panel could

see no reason why the

pedestrian crossing should

not be relocated to link

the Bridge to the Guildhall

Square, immediately. The

link up Whittaker Streetand Shipquay Street to The

Diamond should be one of

the liveliest routes in the City,

particularly with the cross-

connection from Castle

Street across Shipquay Street

through the Richmond

Centre to the Foyleside

Centre.

3.6.

3.6..

3.6.2.

3.6.3.


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The Panels concern at the compromising of Harbour Square by trafc was reinforced at a Congress

workshop. Discussions involving local and visiting Academicians concluded that this historic point

of connection between the walled city and the river, later enlarged, had great symbolic as well as

physical potential. It should be possible to reduce trafc capacity and improve pedestrian access

without compromising the smooth functioning of the City, and create capacity for cultural, leisure and

entertainment uses. The Congress considered examples of how trafc and pedestrian integration had

been achieved throughout Europe that were widely considered adaptable to the Citys circumstances.

The Panel was told of plans to use the Harbour Ofce in Harbour Square for Council Members

accommodation, adjacent to the refurbished Guildhall, and plans for the permanent relocation of the

Maritime Museum (displaced from the Guildhall and temporarily located in the Railway Museum) in the

historic buildings of Ebrington Barracks (briey used as HMS Ferret 3 during the Second World War).

We felt that such relocation would dilute the cultural offer of the city centre to the general detriment

of its attractiveness to visitors. The generally modest and small scale buildings of the Barracks do not

appear well-suited to museum use, and we were attracted to suggestions that the Harbour Ofces andthe former Custom House in Shipquay Street could offer more suitable accommodation in a better

location.

Such uses could strengthen the status of Guildhall Square

and Harbour Square, as a substantial cultural centre at

the western end of the Peace Bridge, balancing future

complementary facilities to be provided on the Barracks

site at its eastern end (see later). Accommodation for the

new Local Authority would be more suitably located in a

specially commissioned new building, reecting the political

commitment to the future and setting a standard for new

interventions in the city centre as the generally mediocre

buildings of recent decades are replaced over time.

Guildhall Square has been improved recently, and now

provides an important public space, but it has no convenient

access to the City walls that run alongside it.

This is an important oppor tunity for a new intervention. There have been many changes to the

historic walls over the centur ies, and these reect the evolution of the city. The City of Culture is anappropriate oppor tunity to create a new access on to the wall, from the outside. This would add

to the attractiveness of the Guildhall Square and the Guildhall which will once more become an

important public building, for local people and visitors, once its refurbishment is complete. This would

symbolise the new openness of the City, and this area in par ticular, to all. It could also symbolise the

importance of the historic city to the community of the Waterside, now connected by the Peace

Bridge.

3.6.4.

3.6..

3.6.6.

3.6.7.

3.6.8.

Such a connection could be

temporary in the rst instance, in

time for the City of Culture, and the

subject of an architectural competition

to create something of artistic merit

as well as useful. In the longer term a

permanent facility to enable everyone

easier access to the walls walk would

help to increase the use of this unique

asset.

The walls are relatively modest in

height, compared to some walled

cities, and later development close

to them has helped them feel partof the historic city centre rather than

the boundary of it. This is not the

case on the west side, where the steep hill down to the Bogside makes development more difcult,

but elsewhere, the wall walk provides an excellent vantage point for views through and out from

the historic city, of its individual buildings and its setting in the wider landscape. There is scope for

temporary and permanent features, events and interpretation for local people and visitors. The walking

surface has been changed over time and there may be further scope for improving pedestrian comfort,

and additional access at other points.

The Panel heard some suggestions that more recent buildings and structures might be removed to

open up better views of the walls. Th is might be justied in some circumstances, but buildings within

and beyond the walls are an historically signicant characteristic of Derry-Londonderry as well as

contributors to the vitality of the historic core. Where poorly designed buildings compromise this

historic character there may be scope for their replacement with new development of a higher

standard, but the sense of enclosure and the development capacity of the city centre should not be

reduced, and buildings that tell part of the story of the city should be retained.

The use of night time lighting is already being explored in Derry-Londonderry on the Peace Bridge

and with the Mute Meadows installation and the walls offer a further opportunity for creative lighting,

both to illuminate their signicance and as a canvas for projections. Other buildings offer similar scope,as does the black night time canvas of the river (see later).

The Panel was heartened to hear that APEX Housing Association would in future consider adapting

and restoring existing buildings to provide new dwellings, in addition to new build. The re-introduction

of mixed tenure housing to the historic core will be one way of strengthening its economic

performance, as traditional retail commercial activity moves on-line. Where demolition is appropriate,

the opportunity for replacement buildings that not only respect their historic setting, but make a

contri bution to the Citys future heritage must be exploited. We heard of a signicant unmet demand for

housing for single people, and the historic centre could be a popular location for many of these.

3.6.9.

3.6.0.

3.6..

3.6.2.

3.6.3.

The Panel heard of a

signifcant unmet demand

for housing for single

people, and the historic

centre could be a popular

location for many of these


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The Panel was told of long-standing plans for retail development on the periphery of the City.

While provision of convenience shopping in suburban areas is an established principle, the expansion

of such developments to accommodate comparison shopping could have a severe negative impact on

the viability of the city centre if this is not very carefully planned and managed. We felt that there was

some scope for accommodating more modern retail development in the city centre, particularly if more

enlightened trafc and access policies are adopted (see later), and if associated with an equally creative

approach from developers and their design teams in balancing the benets of the high footfall of a city

centre location with the sensitivities of its setting.

It was also clear to the Panel that some former retail areas in the city centre were struggling to remain

viable in changing circumstances. Allowing shops outside recognised core primary and secondary retail

areas and streets to change to commercial or residential use would strengthen the retail performance

of the centre and help to meet other needs. The longer term growth of the population and the

economy will require room for expansion. The fringes of the existing centre appear to have considerable

redevelopment potential, which should be carefully balanced with any more peripheral provision forcommercial and retail development.

The Panel saw some of the areas of ne early Nineteenth Century housing in the conservation area

around the historic centre, some of which is in poor condition and in some cases at risk of irreversible

decline. We felt that the potential of these areas to help meet future housing needs must be exploited,

and that it may be necessary to use public agency powers for compulsory purchase to secure the futures

of individual properties at risk. Some residential and commercial properties are tied up in legal problems

and co-operation with banks and other interests may help.

A number of older industrial premises, shirt factor ies in particular, have been put to new uses. Others

could be used for housing and possibly hotel/hostel uses that will be necessary to support the expansion

of tourism. The potential for such buildings to meet the needs of the growing knowledge industr ies

was also put forward by one of the Congress workshops. The public realm of these areas needs to

be improved too, and sensitive highway improvements an important contribution. Just as Dublin has

brought its Georgian terraces back into active use, so Derry-Londonderry has the opportunity to bring

more residents back into the historic core. One of the characteristics of Derry-Londonderry is the close

relationship between the city centre and the countryside generally visible from it. Green spaces within

the city centre are few however, and recent improvements to the public realm seem not to include

tree planting. Given the signicance of the Oak to Derry-Londonderrys history, indeed its name, the

opportunity to include such trees in particular, for their historic relevance and symbolism of the long termperspective, as well as their amenity value, seems obvious.

The Panel heard that a number of important historic properties had been lost through neglect or failure

to recognise their signicance. Further loss of historic buildings will not only waste their potential to

accommodate new uses and meet the needs of a new generation, but reduce the attractiveness of the

city to future residents and v isitors. The work of the Inner City Trust and Walled City Partner ship has

showed what can be achieved, and the Panel applauded efforts of these organisations to extend their

activities and to encourage other groups and individuals to exploit the potential of historic houses and

factories at risk.

3.6.4.

3.6..

3.6.6.

3.6.7.

3.6.8.

The River Foyle

The setting of Derry-Londonderry is one of its greatest natural assets, and its river has been the reason

for past periods of economic prosperity. The locational advantage of the por t of Derry-Londonderry

for routes across the Atlantic may now be consigned to history, but the Panel was surprised that there

was no evident r iver-based activity today. We were told that the river is shallow and fast owing, and

that may reduce its potential for leisure use, but the Panel felt there should be scope for river-based

tourism, events and possibly oating facilities. The river at night is a particularly attractive location and

setting, with scope for lighting features, displays and son et lumire. Local participants referred to the

recent visit of a cruise ship; if this is possible, there must be further potential.

Major development such as the Quayside and Foyleside shopping centres do not take advantage of the

views available, which is a pity. Future oppor tunities for development along the river could exploit their

setting to much greater advantage for occupiers and users. There would also be opportunities to add

buildings of distinction to the views of the city from the main approach by road from the east.

Local representatives explained past development proposals for the Fort George site to the north

of the city centre, designed in part to take advantage of the connection to the transatlantic high

speed cable link. The plans for a major commercial and residential development were halted by the

economic downturn, and the Panel felt that this was more of an opportunity than a problem. Ofce

development, if and when there is demand for more, would be located better close to the city centre

where it can reinforce the commercial activity of the historic core, encouraging restoration and

adaptation of existing buildings as well as redevelopment of obsolete buildings and underused sites.

The Panel felt the Fort George site, identied in the One Plan as a location for new businesses,

would be better-suited to primarily residential development, with possible marina and leisure uses. If

the landfall of the inter-continental digital link in this location is a distinctive asset (none of the Panel

was experienced in such matters), it is likely that the commercial advantage it offers will recede as

technology and capacity/speeds improve elsewhere.

The Panel heard different opinions regarding the future of Derry-Londonderrys railway station on the

east bank, but the stronger view, reinforced during the Congress, pressed for restoration and reuse

of the Victorian rail shed for its original pur pose. Alternative suggestions for a new station close to

the Barracks site and Peace Bridge had some support, notably from Translink. While the latter might

provide the shortest route into the city centre, most visitors are likely to continue to travel by road totheir destination, which from here would be a longer route.

The restoration of the original station has wide community support and would be symbolic of Derry-

Londonderrys renewed condence in the future. As the terminus of a famous rail route along the

north coast of Ireland from Belfast, the restoration of the station, along with the planned improvements

to the line and services, would be a further reason to visit Derry-Londonderry. There will be scope for

improved pedestrian and cycle links between the restored station and the Peace Bridge.

3.7.

3.7..

3.7.2.

3.7.3

3.7.4.

3.7..

3.7.6.


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Ebrington Barracks

The Panel appreciated the local signicance of the transfer of ownership of this site from the Ministry

of Defence to the NI Government, represented by ILEX, the Derry-Londonderry urban regeneration

company. At 26 acres (almost equivalent to the walled city) it is the largest development site this close to

the city centre, and its opening up for public use is symbolic as well as useful. We heard of plans to use

parts of the site to accommodate events and exhibitions associated with the 203 UK City of Culture.

While this is an obvious use for the relatively unconstrained space of the parade ground and currently

unused buildings, close to the Peace Bridge, the site is still some distance from the city centre, where most

of Derry-Londonderrys traditional and current cultural facilities are located. (see para 3.6.4-6).

Relocating established cultural facilities to the Barracks, such as the museum, and permanently locating

new facilities there, such as a hotel and an ar t gallery, risks undermining the critical mass of attractions in

the city centre, and compromising the ultimate potential of the Barracks as a development site. Creating

new museums is a risky business, and estimations of public interest are often over-optimistic. Theyhave proved popular with funding agencies and have stimulated some remarkable architecture. Recent

examples in Northern Ireland are the Titanic in Belfast and the new Giants Causeway Visitor Centre. The

world is scattered however with the carcasses of failed museums, and Derr y-Londonderry might direct

new capital spending to locations and facilities that have a stronger chance of long term success. (The

White Cliffs Experience in Dover is a particularly sad example, and the Museum of Popular Music in

Shefeld was mercifully rescued by the local University for alternative use . Both were well-located and

accessible, but failed to sustain necessary visitor numbers and public subsidy.)

While the Panel acknowledged the desire to spread facilities throughout Derry-Londonderry, improving

access to all sections of the community, we felt that the plan for the Ebrington Barracks site should be

reconsidered . The site could accommodate a substantial amount of the new housing anticipated by the

One Plan (published 20). We felt however that it may have greater potential as a location for a major

new higher education campus, while still providing public access to new spaces and routes through a

site that was closed to the public and a symbol of oppression for so long. The Pane l recommends that

the potential for this or similar strategic investment be carefully considered before a commitment to

incremental development permanently closes the door on the opportunity.

This would not constrain temporary use for some of the bigger 203 events, such as the All Ireland

Fleadh, or long term public access and activitie s. It would ensure that the scale and location of the site are

fully exploited and their benets maximised for the community as a whole.

During a Congress workshop, the opening of the Peace Bridge, the new routes through the Barracks,

and the expanding cycle network, were identied as factors that would change the spatial relationship

between the Ebrington area and the rest of the City. Over time local representatives felt that these

improved connections would help Ebrington to feel more a contiguous part of central Derry-

Londonderry, and strengthen the economic performance of local shops and businesses, even without a

major development of the Barracks.

3.8.

3.8..

3.8.2.

3.8.3.

3.8.4.

3.8..

Further and Higher Education

The Panel was surprised that a city the size of Derry-Londonderry had such a small student population.

It was unfortunately not possible for the Panel to meet senior representatives from the education

sector, but we gained some insight into the history of Magee College and the past policies and progress

of the University of Ulster, and are aware that the One Plan has aspirations for around 0,000 higher

education places in the City. Like so many aspects of life in Derry-Londonderry, the politics associated

with higher education are complicated, but we think that there are economic as well as social reasons

why the opportunities for young people to study in Derry-Londonderry should be greater than they

are.

The remarkable age prole of Derry-Londonderry, with 40% of the population under 25, means that

there is likely to be unmet local demand for higher qualications in the Derry-Londonderr y region, as

well as opportunities to attract students from among the families of the Derry-Londonderry diaspora

and the wider world.

The Panel was told that Magee College provides around 3000 undergraduate places, and North West

Regional College around 70. This is a small total for a city the size of Derry-Londonder ry. The scope

for the University of Ulster to expand in the near future in Derry-Londonderry may be constrained

by commitments elsewhere, but we suggest that other educational institutions might be attracted. The

Panel heard of historic and recent associations with Trinity College Dublin, Harvard and other eastern

seaboard universities, and Berkeley, California. There might also be potential for exploiting links with

the City of London (see later).

Universities no longer have to rely on public funding. The Panel suggested that if there were little

chance of public funding for a major facility, there could be scope for attracting private university

interests to Derry-Londonderry, particularly if a site as attractive as Ebrington Barracks were offered.

A private institution does not have to be exclusive, and could provide a publicly accessible campus,

and cultural, sports, welfare and other facilities that could be shared with the wider Ebrington

community. An institution of 0,000+ students would create a major new focus of a ctivity in Ebrington,

complementing the commercial and civic functions of the city centre, and generating substantial new

spending throughout Derry-Londonderry.

New facilities, however funded, would encourage greater competition among education providers

in Derry-Londonderry and across the northwest region, strengthen standards, encourage more andbetter Derry-Londonderry students to stay and study, and encourage students from elsewhere to

experience the cultural diversity and environmental quality of Derry-Londonderry.

Over time, the increased proportion of visiting students would help to break down the Derry-

Londonderry tendency to be war y of outsiders and over-protective of locals a trait reported to the

Panel a number of times. If Derry-Londonderr y is to compete for trade, commerce and status with

other modern cities it will have to behave like one. Many of the Worlds most successful cities have

grown through the energy and new ideas of new people from diverse backgrounds.

3.9.

3.9..

3.9.2.

3.9.3.

3.9.4.

3.9..

3.9.6.


10/15


Roads and access

The Panel heard of the challenges faced as a result of Derry-Londonderrys remoteness. Its role as an

historic gateway to North America by sea has been supplanted by air routes from the rest of Ireland

and Europe. The emerging role of Derry-Londonderr y airport may improve access to and from

the town and its surrounding region in future, despite recent cuts in services. The absence of faster

and more reliable connections to/from Belfast and the rest of Ireland is clear ly an issue. The Panel

appreciated the logic of improving road and ra il links which were clearly a local priority. Although the

scale and broader complexity of strategic transport planning fell outside the brief of their visit, the Panel

was sympathetic to the views of those who feared that whatever transport-related powers were to be

delegated to the new local authorities, this would come too late in 20, and that a forum for discussing

and planning such improvements should be established immediately.

Derry-Londonderry obviously has the challenge of handling 21st century trafc with a 17th century

road layout in the historic centre. It is not unusual in that. It is probably made more difcult by thelack of investment in public transport, and some local representatives suggested that bus routes

terminating at, rather than passing through (and around) the city centre are part of the problem. The

Panel detected a culture of predict and provide, in relation to highway planning, rather than the demand

management approach now prevalent in most of Europe.

Derry-Londonder ry has the advantage of being the main settlement in a monocentric city region. I t

may have a limited catchment in population and economic terms, but it has no competitor. Providing

easy access to Derry-Londonderry from its catchment region has to be balanced with ease of

movement within the town for those who live or work in, or those visitors who eventually have to get

out of their cars to use it.

3.10.

3.0..

3.0.2.

3.0.3.

The Panels perception of the way in which the success of the Peace Bridge is compromised by trafc

management in Harbour Square is descr ibed in 3.6.3-3.6.4 (above). It reects a predict and provide

approach to trafc management that Derry-Londonderry will have to address if it is to improve the

quality of life and attractiveness of the city centre as a whole to future investment. The UK City of

Culture year will be an opportunity to test alternative management approaches, as extraordinary

numbers of pedestrians will be using the central area, and arrangements for peripheral parking,

pedestrian priority and public transpor t connections will have to be provided. The most successful can

be made permanent. Such an approach may be in place, but the Panel saw and heard no evidence

of it. This was endor sed by Congress discussions of the success of alternative approaches to trafc

management elsewhere in the UK and Europe. Many speakers supported a popular forum to monitor

and exploit the experience of increased pedestrian priority during 203.

Derry-Londonderry is separated from its waterfront for much of its length by the railway on one side

and the Duke Street and Foyle Embankment dual carriageways on both sides. Improvements to the

road layout on the west side could open up greater access. The improvements to footpath/cycle route

along the riverside from Queens Quay northwards are beginning to show the benets of this kind of

investment. Proposals for Harbour Square should be an opportunity to link this promenade with the

Peace Bridge and Guildhall Square. The re-opening of the old railway station could be combined witha new pedestrian and cycle route along the east bank to Ebrington, St Columbs Park and the Peace

Bridge.

The Panel heard of earlier suggestions that the rail route between the Peace Bridge and the restored

station could be calmed with resurfacing and tr ain speeds reduced to walking pace, to allow

pedestrians access across it to the riverside. This was discussed and suppor ted at the Congress, with

examples of tram sites elsewhere operating along similar lines.

3.0.4.

3.0..

The re-opening of theold railway station could

be combined with a new

pedestrian and cycle

route along the east bank

to Ebrington, St Columbs

Park and the Peace

Bridge


11/15


Relationship with London

The origins of the plantation town and the evolution of Derry-Londonderry since its foundation are

fundamental to the present day circumstances. There can be few communities as aware of the historic

reasons for their existence and present problems than Derry-Londonderrys. Past hostility to the City

of London among the majority of Derry-Londonderrys residents was perhaps inevitable, and the Panel

was encouraged that attitudes ar e softening. There may be scope for renewing and developing this

historic relationship in ways that would be wholly advantageous to Derry-Londonderry.

There remain links to City of

London institutions, through

the Honourable the Irish

Society and it is possible

that these could be sources

of renewed investmentin the future. As with the

potential for attracting a

higher education institution,

any external interest from

established investors would

help to raise the prole of

Derry-Londonderry and

encourage competition.

3.11.

3...

3..2.

Institutional inertia

The Panel were impressed with the scale and intensity of intervention by public, private and third sector

agencies, and some high prole individuals. The amount of p rogress made in redeveloping damaged

sites and buildings, creating new employment and promoting new forms of cultural development is

pretty heroic. After several decades of effort, and tapping sources of investment especially local,

regional, UK and European public funding it is inevitable that Derry-Londonderry initiatives have been

shaped by the difculties of working within the fragmented central and local government structures,

that are a legacy of the Troubles, and the inevitable bureaucracy and compliance obligations that funding

sources require to avoid the repeat of historic discrimination.

Taken together though, these obligations can be a signicant drag on progress. Performance criteria,

governance and value for money obligations have to be applied across a diverse range of activities for

which many processes/structures may not be appropriate or helpful, and the Panel sensed that this was

becoming the case in Derry-Londonderr y. When economic circumstances are so difcult, opportunitiesrequire a rapid response and a exible approach. That seems difcult in Derry-Londonderr y,

particular ly where there is a fear that initiatives will be of benet to outsiders. Derry-Londonder ry, like

anywhere else, will be as reliant on inward investment and new ideas as it will on encouraging home

grown talent. Opportunities to welcome new investors must be seized when they occur and not held

in abeyance until other interests have been aligned by then they are likely to have gone elsewhere.

The One Plan attempts to pull together and simplify the plethora of initiatives (around 80 at one count)

which ILEX and other agencies were struggling to co-ordinate. The Panel detected still a tendency to

tackle every new challenge with a new strategy, steering group and survey. It may be counter-intuitive in

the historical context, but if public bodies allowed themselves and others more freedom to follow ideas

and sources of energy, the City would be more effectively enriched, culturally and economically, by those

exercising initiative. It was telling during at least one workshop during the Congress, that suggestions for

more rapid action were countered with difculties in securing the necessary consents. DCC, ILEX and

other agencies should have delegated powers to put in place generic consents and create a generally

permissive environment that will encourage initiative.

The greater freedoms and responsibilities that will come for the new Derry-Londonderry authority

with Government reorganisation of local government in 20 are really too far away, particularly if

Derry-Londonder ry is to maximise the potential of 203 UK City of Culture. The Panel suggests that

ways are found to give greater freedom to individual projects, and refreshing the structures and systemsto which agencies seem to be bound. There may be a higher risk of some initiatives failing, but that

should be balanced by those that will be up and running in 203, and able to ride the wave of public

attention that will be focussed on Derry-Londonderry.

3.12.

3.2..

3.2.2.

3.2.3.

3.2.4.


12/15


Recommendations4. Cultural legacyAll the people of Derry-Londonderry should be able to value, use and enjoy the heritage of the

Plantation that survives in the walls and buildings within and around the city centre as part of their

shared heritage

Special considerations in providing public services arising from the sectarian history of Derry-

Londonderry are likely to perpetuate differences in the long term, and should be superseded by

rational, city-wide services.

The growing social enterprise sector helping the city nd new ways of overcoming economic and

historic disadvantages should be encouraged and expanded.

The historic City centre has been and should be the centre for the whole community, and promoted as

such.

Permanent facilities like the Maritime Museum and City of Culture legacy facilities should be located

in the historic city centre. ie the walled city and its immediate environs making use of vacant buildings

where possible

Searching out, or creating, Derry-Londonderry-specic foodstuffs and dishes, and promoting high

standards of catering will encourage and sustain visitor interest.

The historic city centre

The pedestrian crossing should be relocated to link the Br idge to the Guildhall Square, immediately. The

link along Whittaker Street and Shipquay Street to The Diamond should be improved for pedestrians

as soon as possible.

The Maritime Museum should remain in the city centre. Possibly in the Harbour Ofce and former

Custom House

Further cultural and leisure/entertainment facilities around Guildhall Square and Harbour Square would

help establish a substantial cultural focus at the western end of the Peace Bridge, balancing futurecomplementary facilities on the Barracks site at its eastern end.

Additional accommodation for the new Local Authority would be more suitably provided in a new

building, reecting the political commitment to the future and setting a standard for other development.

Create a new access on to the city wall, from the outside on Guildhall Square to encourage greater use

and provide a high prole architectural/artistic opportunity associated with the 2013 UK City of Culture

celebration.

Introduce temporary and permanent features, events and interpretation on the walls for local people

and visitors.

4.1.

4...

4..2.

4..3.

4..4.

4...

4..6.

4.2.

4.2..

4.2.2.

4.2.3.

4.2.4.

4.2..

4.2.6.


13/15


Retain the sense of enclosure around the walls and the buildings that tell part of the story of the city.

Introduce more creative lighting of the city walls and principle buildings/features.

Re-introduce mixed tenure housing to the historic core, especially for small households, to meet social

need and strengthen economic performance.

Where demolition is unavoidable, replacement buildings must respect their historic setting, and

contribute to the Citys future heritage by employing and demonstrating the best standards of

contemporary architectural design.

The expansion of out of town retail should be very carefully controlled, and precedence given to new

retail development in and adjacent to the City centre.

Underused or vacant historic buildings should be retained and brought back into use, to help meetfuture housing needs. Where necessar y public agency powers for compulsory purchase should secure

the futures of individual properties at risk.

Older industrial premises, shirt factories and redundant retail units in particular, should be acquired and

used for housing and possibly hotel/hostel /new industry uses.

The achievements of the Inner City Trust and the Walled City Par tnership should be extended and

other groups and individuals encouraged to exploit the potential of historic houses and factories at risk.

The River Foyle

The scope for r iver-based tourism, events and possibly oating facilities should be exploited.

The river at night is a particularly attractive location and setting, with scope for lighting features, displays

and son et lumire.

Future opportunities for development along the river should be designed to exploit and contribute to

their setting.

The restoration of the original station as the terminus for the improved, and famous, rail route along

the north coast of Ireland, should be promoted as part of the experience for visitors.

Ebrington

Relocating established cultural facilities to the Barracks risks undermining the critical mass of attractions

in the city centre, and compromising the ultimate potential of the Barracks as a development site.

The Barracks greatest potential may be as a location for a major new higher education campus.

4.2.7.

4.2.8.

4.2.9.

4.2.0.

4.2..

4.2.2.

4.2.3.

4.2.4.

4.3.

4.3..

4.3.2.

4.3.3.

4.3.4.

4.4.

4.4..

4.4.2.

Further and higher education

Other higher educational institutions might be attracted to Derry-Londonderry, particularly if a site as

attractive as Ebrington Barracks were offered. Such a use of the Barracks could provide facilities to be

shared with the local and wider community.

Roads and access

A forum for discussing and planning such improvements for pedestrians should be established

immediately.

The outdated approach to trafc management that sties Derry-Londonderry should be replaced

with an approach led by the aim of improving the quality of life and attractiveness of the city centre for

people not in cars, and encouraging investment.

The UK City of Culture year will be an opportunity to test alternative management approaches, some

of which may be made permanent.

The re-opening of the old railway station should be combined with a new pedestrian and cycle route

along the east bank to Ebrington, St Columbs Park and the Peace Bridge.

Relationship with London

Derry-Londonderry should explore ways of renewing and developing the relationship to its greater

advantage.

Institutional inertia

Public agencies must facilitate rapid responses and a exible approach to initiatives.

Agencies should help Derry-Londonderry grow away from its differentiation between locals and

outsiders.

Opportunities to welcome new investors must be seized when they occur and not held in abeyance

until all other interests have been aligned.

Agencies should resist the inclination to tackle every new challenge with a new strategy, steering group

and sur vey. They should allow themselves and others more freedom to follow ideas and sources of

energy and initiative.

The greater freedoms and responsibilities of new Derry-Londonderry authority in 20 are too far

away, and mechanisms to establish local decision making and greater freedom should be established

immediately, using the 2013 City of Culture celebration as the pr imary justication.

4.5.

4...

4.6.

4.6..

4.6.2.

4.6.3.

4.6.4.

4.7.

4.7..

4.8

4.8..

4.8.2.

4.8.3.

4.8.4.

4.8..


14/15


THE ACADEMY OF URBANISM PANEL

Derek Latham AoU, Chair

Steven Bee AoU, Rapporteur

David Porter AoU

David Taylor AoU

Dickon Robinson AoU

MINISTERIAL ADVISORY GROUP

FOR ARCHITECTURE & THE BUILT

ENVIRONMENT

Arthur Acheson, MAG Chair

Diana Fitzsimons, MAG Member

Emily Smyth, MAG Member

Alan Strong,MAG Member

Mary Kerrigan, MAG Expert Advisor

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT

Maura Fox & Helena OToole, Planning

Manus Deery, NIEA

DEPARTMENT FOR REGIONAL

DEVELOPMENT

Jim Campbell,Roads Service

DEPARTMENT FOR SOCIAL

DEVELOPMENT

Martin Quigg, North West Regeneration

Ofce

CITY CENTRE WELL BEING

Jim Roddy,CEO, City Centre Initiative

Martin McCrossan,Chair, City Traders

Forum

Inspector Barry Pollin, Community Policing,

Police Service of Northern Ireland

ILEX URBAN REGENERATION

COMPANY

Maura Fox (inter agency co-ordinator)

Gerald McCleave

COMMUNITY

Eamon Deane,Holywell TrustSusan Gibson, Derry Well Women

Aine Downey, retired Senior Lecturer,

University of Ulster

BUILT ENVIRONMENT NON

PROFIT+AMENITY ORGANISATIONS

Mary ODwyer, Chair /Jo Mitchell,

Treasurer, Foyle Civic Trust

Mary Kerrigan,Education Ofcer, Walled

City Partnership

Helen Quigley,CEO, Inner City Trust

Siobhan Porter, APEX Housing Association

Eamonn McCann,writer, journalist, human

rights campaigner, Into The West (Rail lobby

group)

PROPERTY / DEVELOPERS

Hugh Hegarty,property

Shauna Duddy, retailer and property, Duddy

Group

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Councillor Maeve McLaughlin, Sinn Fein

Councillor Gerard Diver, SDLP

Tony Monaghan, Economic Development,

Derry City Council

ECONOMY

Conal McFeely, Social Economist

Paul Gosling, Economist + freelance

journalist

Sinead McLaughlin, CEO, Chamber of

Commerce

Marian Farrell, ecological activist and PS

outreach teacher of literacy, Transition Derry

In addition to those who presented to the

panel as part of cluster groups the following

attended the evening dinner

Sharon OConnor, Derry City Council

Helena OToole,Planning NI

Helen Quigley, Inner City Trust

Shona McCarthy,Culture Co

Kevin McGovern, Planning Consultant

Paul Gosling, Journalist

Conal McFeely, Rathmor Centre, Creggan

Siobhan Porter, APEX Housing Association

Steve Bee AoU

Derek Latham AoU

David Porter AoU

David Taylor AoU

Dickon Robinson AoU

Emily Smyth, MAG member

Alan Strong, MAG member

Diana Fitzsimons, MAG member

Mary Kerrigan, MAG Expert Advisor,

Walled City Partnership Education Ofcer

Appendix & 2.

The Academy of Urbanism

The Academy is a actie, ot-for-prot membership orgaisatio

fouded to expad our collectie uderstadig of placemakig

ad to share best practice.

The Academy brigs together a leadig group of thikers,

decisio-makers ad practitioers ioled i the social, cultural,

ecoomic, political ad physical deelopmet of our illages,

tows ad cities across Great Britai, Irelad ad icreasigly,

iteratioal coutries.

We aim to adace the uderstadig ad practice of urbaism

by promotig a culture of scholarship through eidece-based

equiry, proidig a iclusie dialogue across all disciplies,

sharig kowledge with the commuity ad our peers ad

urturig, recogisig ad rewardig excellece i achieemet.

Securing Long Term Success

Represetaties of some of those places that hae bee

omiated as Fialists i The Academy of Urbaisms aual

Awards for Great Places have expressed a desire for more advice

ad support to secure the log term success of their place, ad/or

expad their rage of actiity.

The Academy is kee to respod, ad is establishig a pael of

Academicias from which a small group with appropriate adcomplemetary experiece will isit a place eighbourhood,

tow, city quarter to help local represetaties establish a

comprehesie ad objectie appreciatio of what makes their

place special.

What we can offer

The time, eergy ad moey that you iest i your places future

must ot be wasted pursuig urealistic or usustaiable goals.

We ca help you build codece ad egagemet throughout

the local commuity, ad the best chace of support for ad

success of your isio.

The Academys pael will egage with key local people to

stimulate ad challege ideas. I t will produce a diagostic report

of your places stregths ad ay immediate ad wider threats to

sustaiig them. It will preset its suggestios to you ad the local

commuity to aswer questios ad stimulate further debate.

We expect our iput to be the start of somethig, ot the ed.

The Pael will ot tell you what you should do. Their itesie

input will help you ensure that your vision, aspirations and plans

for the future are sound, and that you are aware of the internal

ad exteral pressures that might compromise them. Their isight

will gie you codece that you are makig the most of your

huma ad eirometal assets.

The Agreement

Oce a commissio has bee accepted, the Academy will offer

an initial consultation with the lead Academician appointed to

curate your project; to dee the brief, establish expectatios,

ad agree outputs. You will appoit a lead represetatie to liaise

ad co-ordiate with the lead Academicia.

Up to three days of each pael members time will be offered

free of charge. You will coer isitig Academicias trael,

accommodatio ad subsistece costs ad make a cotributio

to the Academys costs, all of which is likely to total betwee

2,500 - 3,500. Further help may be possible by egotiatio ad

agreemet with the Academy.

You will proide adequate preparatory iformatio i adace,

additioal iformatio as reasoably requested, ad access to key

parters ad local represetaties. Adice will be offered by the

Academy i good faith, but either the Academy or you are

boud by the adice, ad you will accept full resposibility for

actig o the adice offered.

Participatig places will be helped to parter with the Academys

growig etwork of Great Places directly, ad through Academy

eets ad other iitiaties.

Register your Interest

Please register your iterest i the programme by cotactig

Stephe Gallagher by emailig [email protected] or

by phoe o +44 (0)20 7351 8777.

The Academy ofUrbanism

70 Cowcross Street

Lodo EC1M 6EJ

[email protected]

www.academyofurbaism.org.uk

The AcAdemy

of UrbAnism

PLACE PARTnERInGDIAGnOSTIC vISITS

An invitation to the Academys Urbanism Award Finalists

Appendix Two: participantsAppendix One


15/15

TheAcademyofUrbanism

70CowcrossStreet

LondonECM6EJ

UnitedKingdom

Formoreinformationplease

contacttheAcademyon

+44(0)20728777

[email protected]

Visitusonlineat

academyofurbanism.org.uk

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United Kingdom

For more information please get

in touch

+44 (0) 20 72 [email protected]

Visit us online

academyofurbanism.org.uk

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