Dr Ian Shuttleworth and Professor Frank Gaffikin (QUB)
New and Shifting Populations in Belfast: Analysis and Impact
It is often assumed that residential segregation in Northern Ireland always increases through time. However, early analyses of the 2011 Census showed that segregation fell between 2001 and 2011. This presentation will explore the possible population processes that have driven this change, and will discuss the impact of births, deaths, and migration on the shifting population geography of Northern Ireland. Some suggestions about the implications of these developments for the 'shared future' agenda are considered. Alongside this review of regional patterns of segregation, an examination of key features of demographic change in Belfast will underpin a critical reflection on its impact on planning and regeneration in the city.
