Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015
Plan Strategy: The Plan Strategy Components

The central aim of the Strategy is to strengthen the regional role of the Metropolitan Area so that it can compete successfully at the European and International level (see Diagram 1). To achieve this aim the Development Strategy comprises a series of measures that focus on a number of subject areas.

It is based on proposals designed to encourage a widespread and sustainable renaissance of the BMA. It seeks to build on the recovery of the last twenty years and to give priority to renewal in urban areas. It provides for balanced growth in rural areas in order to sustain a strong and vibrant rural community and a living, working countryside.

A range of locations is identified for the provision of housing and employment in order to enhance the quality of life for all of the Metropolitan community and to promote equality of opportunity. A generous and continuous supply of land for employment will help to support sustainable economic development. Developing a strong Belfast City Centre and a revitalised Metropolitan Area helps to underpin and strengthen public transportation as a key element in an integrated and inclusive transport system. Protection of the Natural environment is achieved through limiting urban expansion onto greenfield sites and by safeguarding key environmental assets.

There is a high degree of interdependence between the constituent parts of the Metropolitan Area and between the social, economic, environmental and transportation issues which the Plan seeks to address. The Plan Strategy therefore adopts a holistic approach, addressing issues on a comprehensive BMA wide basis. The Plan Proposals also seek to integrate the need for both conservation and development through a mix of co-ordinated economic, social and environmental policies and proposals.

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The Plan Strategy for the BMA consists of the following main elements: