University Challenge

Sadly, we will never know what the late Belfast poet Ciaran Carson’s thoughts would have been on the new Ulster University Belfast City Campus but I think he may have been a fan. One of the themes of his poetry was how cities, and Belfast in particular, regenerate and are a constant ‘work in progress’. The area around York Street is a good example: it is one of the most historic parts of the city which has changed many times and has, yet again, just entered a new phase.

The scale of the new university campus is immense. It is home to 15,000 staff and students which is akin to the population of Armagh city; all within a couple of city blocks. There are undoubtably issues around how the new campus beds into the immediate area but I am optimistic that over time these will be addressed. What is safe to say is that it will bring a new sense of vibrancy and life to an area that has been badly in need of it for many years. If you haven’t ventured into this part of town for a while – and let’s face it, until recently you probably wouldn’t have any reason to do so – I would urge you pay it a visit. It will be fascinating to see how the area develops (and hopefully improves) over the coming years. Turn again.

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