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Effects of Peacelines

By restricting access to outer areas and reducing movement across the lines, peacewalls then turn the residents back into their group, futhering its integration. This has several implications, in social as well as planning spheres. Social effects include economic and educational deprivation. Brendan Murtagh (Burger 1999), found the following statistics when studying interface areas throughout Belfast in the early 1990s. In response, many community groups have formed to encourage and assist residents to stay in school and obtain employment, transportation, and child care. Interface Areas (Averages) 1992-93 Northern Ireland Average 69% of community earned less than £5,000 annually 45% 31% of population was unemployed 14% 41% received Income Support 21% 5% received Family Credt 2% 2% had 'A' Level as highest qualification 12% 1% had a University degree 12% Conversely, integration within the group can help its members deal with the stresses of living on the interface. In addition, cross-community or Peace Process activities cannot succeed unless each side has a sense of stability about their, and their group's, identity and stability. Peacelines also have several implications for planning which must be considered.