Shaping Sustainable Places - Public Consultation

In an era of uncertainty and change, the sustainability of our village, towns and city centres has never mattered more. We understand the power of place, not just as a location, but as the living heart of our communities, giving us a sense of belonging, meeting local needs, and providing jobs and services.

Yet many places are under pressure from the rapid changes in retail, the rise of online commerce and the legacy of the Covid pandemic. The result has been an increase in vacancy, dereliction and neglected places that once thrived as centres of community life.

We cannot afford to let our village, town and city centres become symbols of decline. This is not just an economic issue; it is also about local identity, social cohesion and opportunity. When high streets are hollowed out, so too are the spaces where people connect, local businesses grow, and public life unfolds.

We are proposing Shaping Sustainable Places as a joined-up and strategic response to these trends. We want to put communities at the centre of reimagining their place for living, learning, working, culture and play.

We want to tackle vacancy and dereliction head-on through interventions that promote adaptive reuse. We want to give places back to people by creating spaces where they can gather and spend time. We want to deliver practical solutions that make communities stronger, safer and better prepared for the future. Our departments have been working closely because we understand the scale of the challenges faced and we know that by working together, we can maximise the impact of our collective investment.

The future of our communities depends on how we nurture, shape and invest in our villages, towns and cities. This consultation document seeks your views on a community-focused approach to re-creating and sustaining vibrant and resilient villages, towns and cities.

We are committed to creating places that work for everyone – alive with purpose, pride of place and rooted in the communities they serve. We encourage you to play your part by completing this consultation to help us guide and shape the future.

Gordon Lyons MLA

Minister for Communities

Liz Kimmins MLA

Minister for Infrastructure

Andrew Muir MLA

Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs