MMAS have been working in Partnership with Belfast City Council, Department for Infrastructure and OGU to complete a trial public realm scheme along nearly half a kilometre of a central Belfast thoroughfare. Adelaide Street is a beautiful historic street which has suffered from some poor urban design decisions over the years. It has limited active frontage at ground floor level, the pavement experience was poor and the dual lanes of one–way traffic encouraged fast driving that was inappropriate for an inner city street.
The team were commissioned to explore how this street in the city’s historic Linen Quarter could become enjoyable to walk along and spend time in. The team won the commission on the basis of creating an urban gallery, space for outdoor seating, play and dwelling, as well as emphasising and celebrating existing features of the street such as the historic buildings and mature trees.
Adelaide Street is a surprisingly long urban stretch (nearly half a kilometre) and to maximise impact within the budget, glowing, timber framed lantern structures use height to draw people into and along the street whilst providing sheltered places to stop and rest.
A considerable period of consultation has taken place with businesses, local residents, statutory bodies, Translink, IMTAC and others to amend the road layout for the trial period of this project. Working in collaboration with Belfast City Council and the Department for Infrastructure, the street layout will be reduced to a single lane of traffic which will allow for additional space for pedestrians, local businesses and residents to enjoy. This also dramatically improves the soundscape of this street which is primarily lined with workplaces and apartments.
The proposals envisage a vibrant new route into Belfast and a place for the many businesses and residents along Adelaide Street to enjoy as the city centre begins to come to life again following the pandemic.
MMAS have been working in Partnership with Belfast City Council, Department for Infrastructure and OGU to complete a trial public realm scheme along nearly half a kilometre of a central Belfast thoroughfare. Adelaide Street is a beautiful historic street which has suffered from some poor urban design decisions over the years. It has limited active frontage at ground floor level, the pavement experience was poor and the dual lanes of one–way traffic encouraged fast driving that was inappropriate for an inner city street.
The team were commissioned to explore how this street in the city’s historic Linen Quarter could become enjoyable to walk along and spend time in. The team won the commission on the basis of creating an urban gallery, space for outdoor seating, play and dwelling, as well as emphasising and celebrating existing features of the street such as the historic buildings and mature trees.
Adelaide Street is a surprisingly long urban stretch (nearly half a kilometre) and to maximise impact within the budget, glowing, timber framed lantern structures use height to draw people into and along the street whilst providing sheltered places to stop and rest.
A considerable period of consultation has taken place with businesses, local residents, statutory bodies, Translink, IMTAC and others to amend the road layout for the trial period of this project. Working in collaboration with Belfast City Council and the Department for Infrastructure, the street layout will be reduced to a single lane of traffic which will allow for additional space for pedestrians, local businesses and residents to enjoy. This also dramatically improves the soundscape of this street which is primarily lined with workplaces and apartments.
The proposals envisage a vibrant new route into Belfast and a place for the many businesses and residents along Adelaide Street to enjoy as the city centre begins to come to life again following the pandemic.
