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KEY FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
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KEY FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Executive Summary
Chapter 1: Introduction and Background to the Study
Chapter 2: Population Statistics: Belfast and Donegall Pass, 1971-2001
Chapter 3: Internal Migration and Community Dynamics
Chapter 4: Housing and the Environment
Chapter 5: Health and Wellbeing
Chapter 6: Children and Young People
Chapter 7: Education in Context
Chapter 8: Education and Training Issues in Donegall Pass
Chapter 9: The Role of Community in Regeneration
Appendix 1 Donegall Pass Profile
Appendix 2 Focus Group Topics/Questions
Appendix 3 Recruitment Form
KEY FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Geography and population
In relation to Belfast:
- there has been a 33% decline in the population of Belfast between 1971 and 2001, with 414,482 individuals recorded in 1971 and only 277,165 in 2001;
- there has been an increase in the proportion of Catholics with respect to Protestants. In 1971, of those individuals classified as either Protestant or Catholic some 31% were Catholic while in 2001 the figure was 52%;
- the percentage of people under the age of 20 was smaller in 2001 (26%) than it was in 1971 (34%). The reverse is true of people over the age of 60 with figures of 16% for 1971 and 18% in 2001; and
- in terms of housing tenure, the proportion of owner-occupied properties is larger in 2001 (at 52%) than it was in 1971 (at 42%).
In relation to Donegall Pass:
- from 1971 to 1991 there was a marked decline in the population of the area with a further, although less marked decline from 1991 to 2001. The population of the area in 2001 is some 29% of the 1971 figure.
- the proportion of people under the age of 20 has clearly declined – in 1971 some 34% of individuals in the area were under 20. By 2001 this figure had fallen to 21%. The proportion of people over the age of 60 has increased with some 19% of the population in 1971 and 26% in 2001. This trend, in terms of age, is the same as in Belfast as a whole but it is more marked in Donegall Pass.
Internal migration and community dynamics
- It was quite common that individuals or households had moved once or even several times within the area. Movement in this case tended to be for factors relating to housing need changes, such as a larger property for growing families, or elderly people downsizing. This intra-area movement was most common amongst public sector housing tenants.
- A frequently cited reason for individuals choosing to leave the area was to ‘cash in’ on rising house prices in the area.
- Many residents commented that the loss of services and amenities had also contributed to the tendency for people to leave the area and move elsewhere.
- The main reason cited for residents leaving the area was due to housing shortages and this has undoubtedly had a major influence on levels of out-migration from the area.
- In general, in-movement from those who where perceived as ‘outsiders’ to the area was viewed negatively by participants.
- There were also some expressions of resentment over in-comers, particularly in relation to housing allocation, and the lack of mixing/integration by new-comers.
- A common view was that new developments were ‘hemming in’ the community. One resident commented, “they squeeze you in to squeeze you out’.
Housing and the environment
- The 2001 census showed that the Donegall Pass community was characterised by relatively small households (DP 1.7; Belfast 2.4; NI 2.7), a high percentage of elderly people (DP 30%; Belfast 32%; NI 19%), and a significant number of single people living alone (DP 57%; Belfast 35%; NI 27%).
- The 2001 census also showed that there was a relatively high number of smaller housing units (62% with 4 rooms or less), than in the rest of the city (11%), or in Northern Ireland as a whole (21%).
- In December 2006 the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (hereafter NIHE) (NIHE 2007) recorded 44 applicants on the housing waiting list, 30 of whom were assessed as being in housing stress.
- Local residents and community activists argued that in order to sustain and develop the local community there needs to be more family housing.
- While they also appreciated that the housing authority had a responsibility to take a broader strategic view of social and affordable housing provision, it should also recognise that Donegall Pass, as a longstanding community, has a right to survive and develop.
- There were also some expressions of resentment over in-comers, particularly in relation to housing allocation, and the lack of mixing/integration by new-comers.
- There was a concern that new private development would almost inevitably reduce the housing opportunities for the longstanding community.
- The 2001 Census recorded that 70% of households in Donegall Pass didn’town a car. Across Northern Ireland as a whole, only 26% of households didn’t own a car and in Belfast (LGD) the figure was 44%. Yet the area suffered and continues to suffer from a commuter parking problem. The situation was made worse when the Motor Tax Office was relocated to the Gasworks site.
- The proposal to create a four lane ‘orbital boulevard’ along Bankmore Street and an additional slip road along the west side of the Lower Ormeau Road will effectively create a barrier between the community area and the city centre.
- Although the strategic planning guidelines for the Belfast Metropolitan Area point to the importance of ‘creating a city of liveable communities in identifiable neighbourhoods’ (DRD 2001), this has not been translated into practice at a local level.
Health and wellbeing
- International research has long since established a gradient between health and socio-economic status and it is now clear that the social and physical context in which people live can have a negative influence on health.
- Recent research has established an adverse effect on the health of people who remained in an area that had become more deprived over time.
- The mechanisms thought to influence health in declining communities include stress, loss of self-esteem, stigma, powerlessness, a lack of hope and fatalism.
- These mechanisms are related to the concept of social capital, a resource produced when people co-operate for mutual benefit.
- Residents key concerns relating to the decline in the community are housing shortages which are perceived to be contributing to the breakdown of the family-based community; traffic; pollution; non-resident parking problems; a lack of youth facilities; and the influx of ethnic minorities who are less inclined to become involved with the community.
- In the Donegall Pass a dual process of outward migration and business development has resulted in a decline in social capital within the community which was particularly evident amongst the younger generations.
- People living in deprived areas, such as the Donegall Pass, that are adjacent to affluent areas, such as the new apartment developments surrounding the area, can often feel relatively more deprived due to such direct comparisons. Although relative deprivation was evident, peer comparisons with the Donegall Road/Sandy Row community were more commonly expressed.
- The area can be described as a ‘food desert’ as no affordable fresh grocery supplies are available within walking distance.
- Residents expressed mixed opinions about the future of the Donegall Pass including a common sense of resignation towards the decline in the core community.
- Many residents recognise the need for people to work together and gain empowerment in order to work with the authorities (i.e. NIHE and the Council) towards progressive re-development that is keeping with the aims of community members, however equally many were impervious towards these suggestions feeling that previous efforts had gone unrewarded.
The needs of children & young people
- Traditionally, children and young people have had little or no input into the development of social policies.
- The role of children and young people in decision-making has begun to be formally acknowledged by government in Northern Ireland but, in practice, effective participation of young people remains inconsistent.
- Recent research (funded by the Northern Ireland Children’s Commissioner) found that children and young people believe their limited influence on decisions that affect them is a major area of unfairness. Young participants from all areas of Northern Ireland also criticised the lack of age appropriate facilities in relation to play space, youth clubs, etc.
- Young people in Donegall Pass, in keeping with research elsewhere, noted the lack of age appropriate facilities and the poor condition of the existing play park.
- There was a clear perception amongst some of the group that they had been let down, with promised developments not delivered.
- There was also a clear view, expressed in particular by the young males, that limited opportunities existed for recreational activity which led to boredom and increased levels of behaviour that is perceived as anti-social by other residents.
- In some cases, paramilitary influence appears to be a limiting factor on the development of young people’s relationships outside the local community.
- Young people demonstrated an empathy for other members of the community in Donegall Pass and in particular children and older people.
- In future community planning and consultation in relation to neighbourhood renewal, structured opportunities should be provided for the participation of children and young people and ongoing review, e.g., youth juries.
- Particular consideration should be given to the redevelopment of the play area adjacent to the Community Centre and the programme of activities in place for young people of different ages.
Education
- There is a need to establish a local learning community. Learning communities reflect an emphasis of Government on community engagement. Learning is a voluntary activity and requires active engagement of residents if it is to be meaningful.
- There is a need to provide education which will attract new learners into education.
- There is a need to provide information, support and guidance to promote wider involvement in adult learning. Although learning may have many benefits, it is not for everyone. Some people can’t find a way into what is sometimes regarded as a complicated and confusing education system.
- There is a need to provide ongoing support for existing learning activities and for new opportunities based on local needs.
- There is a need to bridge the gap between mainstream providers and local people through the developing and strengthening of local networks. Supporting a bottom-up approach which ensures local residents and local voluntary and community organisations are fully involved in making decisions about learning in the locality is paramount.
- There is a need to identify appropriate funding mechanisms to enable learning to happen. The rules of financial aid tend not to work well for adults learners and for many the financial barriers to participation are too high. Increased investment in the form of direct financial support for learners is needed as well as new flexible, holistic approaches to meeting needs of adult learners.
Community
- In Donegall Pass there is an underlying despondency that suggests that local people feel they can do little to halt or indeed reverse the decline in the community.
- Research elsewhere suggests that community involvement in the planning and regeneration of a local area will be crucial to its potential success, however.
- There is a view, among some commentators, that working class Protestant communities have failed to develop their social capital and have often acquiesced in the face of change. While there is some evidence to challenge this view, there is, nevertheless, a widespread recognition that Protestant working class communities have been slower in developing community infrastructure and effective leadership.
- As elsewhere in the city, the paramilitaries are sometimes perceived by the community as being a more effective ‘police-force’ than the PSNI. However, there was also a certain discomfort with paramilitary policing and a desire among some for the situation to be normalised.
- There is some acknowledgement that the ‘world is changing’ and that the local Protestant community needs to move on and embrace, and indeed help shape, the opportunities for change. The need to do this is juxtaposed, however, with a perception that the pace of change is disconcerting, almost overwhelming, and by implication there should be an initial period of resistance.
- The perception among some residents that the Chinese population is growing and is significant in number is not evident in the census figures. The 2001 census figure shows that only 4.7% of the Donegall Pass population is from a Chinese ethnic group. However, the number of Chinese and other so-called ‘foreign’ businesses has grown over the last decade and all of this contributes to a very visible symbol of change.
- The community needs to be realistic about the services that can be provided within the local area. In the medium to long term Donegall Pass could begin to offer services for the wider neighbourhood, while availing of services beyond its boundaries. In this way the Pass can find its niche within a wider geography.
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© Queen’s University Belfast 2008
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