Local politicians, academics and public health experts recently came together in Belfast for a Green Space Policy Roundtable hosted by Queen’s University Belfast in partnership with Belfast Healthy Cities.

The event explored how green space can be recognised and treated as essential health infrastructure, with discussions focused on translating evidence into practical policy action across Northern Ireland.

Chaired by Marie-Louise Connolly, the roundtable brought together senior representatives from government departments, local councils, housing providers, planners, academia and public health organisations.

The event focused on three key policy asks; ensuring every school in Northern Ireland has access to green space, embedding green space within all new social housing developments and treating green space-led active travel as core infrastructure.

Opening the event, the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Michael McBride, highlighted the importance of green space as a system-level solution to health inequalities, climate resilience and prevention.

Attendees heard evidence presentations from Professor Ruth Hunter and Dr William Bird, including research showing that even a 1% increase in green space can be associated with a 42% reduction in preventable deaths, with the greatest benefits seen in more deprived communities.

Discussions also explored the importance of green space for children and young people, particularly in relation to mental wellbeing, physical activity, learning and behaviour.

Kira Fortune from the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe spoke about the importance of collaboration between research, policy, practice and communities in translating evidence into meaningful policy change.

The event included facilitated discussions examining practical next steps, policy levers and delivery mechanisms linked to each of the three policy asks. Conversations focused on areas including social housing standards, active travel networks, safe routes to green space and addressing inequalities in access across communities.

Evidence shared during the event highlighted the impact of greenway investment in Northern Ireland, including a 320% increase in cycling and a 60% increase in walking along greenway routes following development.

Professor Sir Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer, said: “Green and open spaces play a hugely important role in the health and wellbeing of our communities. It is vital that we continue to work collaboratively across sectors to ensure our towns and cities are designed in ways that support healthier lifestyles, improve connectivity and create places where people can thrive.”

Charlene Brooks, Chief Executive of Belfast Healthy Cities, said: “This roundtable was about moving from evidence to action. We know that green space can improve physical health, mental wellbeing, climate resilience and social connection, but we also know access to quality green space is not equal. Bringing together policymakers, researchers and practitioners in this way helps create the shared understanding and momentum needed to drive long-term change.”

Professor Ruth Hunter from Queen’s University Belfast added: “The evidence base around green space and health continues to grow. What is increasingly clear is that access to quality green space is not simply an environmental issue, it is a major public health and inequalities issue. Events like this are vital in helping ensure research can inform policy and practice in meaningful ways.”

The event concluded with a cross-departmental commitment session focused on identifying actions that could be progressed over the next 12 months, alongside longer-term ambitions for 2030.

The roundtable forms part of ongoing partnership work between, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast Healthy Cities and wider stakeholders to support healthier urban environments and promote health equity across Northern Ireland.

Photo:

Front row – Charlene Brooks Belfast Healthy Cities, Marie Louise Connolly BBC Health Correspondent, Professor Sir Michael McBride CMO, Kathyrn McGowan Chief Environmental Officer, Prof Ruth Hunter QUB

Back row – Chris Quinn Commissioner for Children and YP, Sharan Dustagheer Dept Infrastructure, Emma Stubbs NIHE, Nicola Donnelly Dept Communities