How would you design the city of the future?
What are peace lines?
‘The separation barriers in Northern Ireland that separate predominantly Irish republican or nationalist Catholic neighbourhoods from predominantly British loyalist or unionist Protestant neighbourhoods. They have been built at urban interface areas in Belfast and elsewhere.’
Coming from a divided city like Belfast where there are peace lines of almost 42 miles, my vision for a city of the future would be a city where all citizens integrated, regardless of religion or culture.
I can’t even fathom why they are called peace lines, as rather than keeping the peace, they drive communities further apart. My future city would do away with Catholic and Protestant housing and look to a future generation to heal the divide.
My city of the future would also see beautiful architecture from days gone by restored and maintained and an end to the many glass boxes and soulless buildings we have today.
My city of the future would be carless allowing citizens to breathe fresh air while shopping. Planting trees and wildflowers for ambiance and outside eating areas although the weather here doesn’t always allow for that.
However it is what it is and I love my city with all its peculiarities. It’s been my home since the sixties and I don’t think I could live anywhere else.
CHATTER 