Sustainable Communities : Open Space and Transport

This day looked at how open space and transport shape and contribute to sustainable communities. Jim Kitchen, Head of the Sustainable Development Commission in Northern Ireland began the day with an outline of what policy measures would be required to create sustainable communities. Andrew Hassard, Director of Parks and Leisure at Belfast City Council outlined plans and aspirations for open space in Belfast. Professor Catharine Ward Thompson, Director of the OPENSpace research centre in Edinburgh and keynote speaker of the day, introduced participants to research highlighting the importance of open space for children and young people.In the transport session, Andy Bready from the Travelwise team in Roads Service outlined sustainable travel options and support available to workplaces in Northern Ireland. Michael Lorimer, Executive Secretary of IMTAC, provided an overview of current policy and changes required to develop more accessible forms of transport to support sustainable communities.

Site visits on Day 2 included Falls Park and the Waterworks, and WISPA Healthy Living Centre in the Shankill area.