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Public Realm

Public Realm project breathing new life into city centre

Story added 29 September 2009

Residents and visitors to Derry~Londonderry might have been puzzled over recent months at the sight of the city centre being dug up. The Department for Social Development's North West Development Office is working with international urban design consultants BDP to implement an extensive programme of public realm improvements in the area including Guildhall Square, Waterloo Place, Waterloo Street and William Street.

Costing up to £8m and covering two key city centre public spaces and a number of surrounding streets, the scheme is by far the most significant investment ever made in public space in the city centre. It will see the installation of impressive new water features in the Guildhall Square together with new lighting and street furniture.

Before any physical work could get under way the Development Office consulted with all utility providers and businesses in the area. Local residents have also been consulted.

Contractors FP McCann Ltd started construction in February 2009 and the project is expected to be complete by May 2010. Guildhall Street and Custom House Street are now almost complete and the infrastructure for the fountains in Guildhall Square is currently being installed.

Like all good public spaces, the re-modelled Guildhall Square and Waterloo Place will become inviting places that tempt people to slow down, meet friends or just stop for a while and watch the world go by. Images of the finished scheme can be viewed in the site office.

For more information please contact: martin.quigg@dsdni.gov.uk

Comments (1)

I think the work at the Guildhall Square looks very stylish. I hope the finish is really good. The only thing I think is that The Guidhall Square is a bit of a wind tunnel and I couldn't see any sign on any drawings I have have seen to give it some shelter. If there are fountains the water will blow everywhere when there's a gale blowing through. I don't see any sign of really thoughtful planting of trees as a screen or something - anything! - to act as a windbreak - either that or there needs to be a decision to close that bit of road in front of Shipquay Gate to traffic. The whole area could then be included, thus enlarging the Guidhall Square. There'd be plenty of room for trees. They could be planted in a curved line. I will send you a drawing of whatI think should be done if you want. It would make it more like a shelterd Piazza. It needs to be sheltered or no one will want to sit there. I know it will cost more money but if you're really serious about wanting that to be a shared, family space then do something to sort out the wind tunnel.


Debbie Caulfield 30 September 2009

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