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The social future of Belfast is greatly dependent on the outcome of the Peace Process, its many set-backs make this future very unstable. However, the enthusiasm and energy of the city are impressive, especially for a population which has experienced such difficulty. Reimaging plans focused on redevelopment of decaying urban areas and improving social conditions such as unemployment and sectarian territoriality offer a positive outlook for a wide range of the population. Emphasizing the positive aspects of the city and its people can go a long way to brightening its future. The city itself has one major problem, among others, to address; the sprawling suburban growth that threatens to destroy the greenbelt and rural areas beyond. This growth is largely unchecked, although some planning schemes are in place. Overall though, little attention is paid to social facilities and the immense increase in traffic moving from the semidetached villas in the suburbs to the city center. Traffic currently must pass through the city traveling north-south, the Westlink expressway decreases this traffic somewhat, and is to be closed creating an inner ring road, but a larger ring road further from the central business district would be a vast improvement in the urban area's transportation network. |