Infrastructure Minister Kimmins Launches New Place Shaping Plan
Minister for Infrastructure Liz Kimmins attended the launch of the Upper Donegall Street Place Shaping Plan in Belfast Jesuits Centre on 3 June 2026.
The Place Shaping Plan was co-designed and developed by Community Places in conjunction with a wide range of stakeholders including the local community and businesses, the North Belfast Heritage Cluster and a Project Steering Group of statutory and non-statutory bodies providing services in the Upper Donegall Street area. We facilitated extensive community and stakeholder engagement throughout the project to ensure that the Plan was truly representative of the community it serves.
The Plan sets out a vision for Upper Donegall Street:
“The Upper Donegall Street area is a key gateway to the City Centre and North Belfast; it will be a thriving and sustainable commercial thoroughfare embracing its uniqueness and celebrating its history and heritage buildings. It will provide homes along with dedicated community and green spaces.”
Accompanying the vision is a set of regeneration priorities and objectives including:
Destination Donegall Street: Donegall Street will be a thriving, well maintained and inclusive neighbourhood, where residents and visitors live, work and play. It will be a key gateway strengthening connections between City Centre investment and North Belfast.
A Historic Place with Unique Heritage: Donegall Street will celebrate and maximise its rich and unique heritage and role in the formation and growth of Belfast as a city.
A Climate Resilient Place: Donegall Street will be a climate resilient commercial thoroughfare which values the planet.
If you would like to know more about the Upper Donegall Street Place Shaping Plan or develop a Place Shaping Plan in your own area, please contact us.
Photos from the Plan launch on 3 June 2026.