Belfast developers plan on turning a Victorian-era jail into a tourist attraction, hotel, and art gallery. Her Majesty’s Prison Belfast closed in 1996, and is a symbol of The Troubles, the long struggle in Northern Ireland for Irish independence.
"Belfast is undergoing significant tourism development, particularly in the new Titanic Quarter, but older areas face particular challenges because of their experiences during Northern Ireland's civil conflict and the need to preserve historic sites and neighborhoods.
Preliminary plans for the prison include two of the four wings being turned into a museum and the others into a hotel or hostel. Buildings that formerly housed guards are to be renovated as a restaurant and an international art gallery, and yards that prisoners once walked are to be turned into community gardens.
The community action unit is raising funds for the redevelopment project this year by hosting a "businessperson ransom," in which local business leaders are to be "imprisoned" in the jail until their company makes a donation."
FULL STORY: Belfast Group Seeks Investors in Prison Redevelopment Project
Dublin Will Ban Through Traffic Downtown
A vast majority of residents support a plan to limit vehicular traffic through the city’s center.
Dublin's Grand Biking Vision That Never Came to Fruition
Dublin’s future as a leading cycling city was once bright, but many plans have stalled or fallen by the wayside.
Advice for New York's Bus System Overhaul
It's time for a fresh start, says a bus system redesign expert.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
San Diego Votes to Rein in “Towering” ADUs
City council voted to limit the number of units in accessory buildings to six — after confronting backyard developments of up to 100 units behind a single family home.
Texas Legislature’s Surprising Pro-Housing Swing
Smaller homes on smaller lots, office to apartment conversions, and 40% less say for NIMBYs, vote state lawmakers.
Even Edmonton Wants Single Staircase Buildings
Canada's second most affordable major city joins those angling to nix the requirement for two staircases in multi-family buildings.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)