Featured Links     October 2007 will see the publication of the inter-disciplinary study of Donegal Pass...       Strategic Discussion Forum Papers are available in the "Resource" section ...     More information about CU2's practical work is documented in our working papers and reports ...     CU2's work is expected to be useful and applicable to a number of other contested cites ...     More information about the practical work of other University-City collaborations is available in our link collection ...		Practice   The project is structured into four main themes that are designed to: 1) Investigate the interface between regeneration and reconciliation in a contested city like Belfast.    2) Investigate the structure and culture of collaboration within and among the three tiers of city governance    3) Build a University-Community Partnership in Belfast and assess its development and impact.    4) Investigate the most appropriate model and rationale for a systematic social economy in Belfast.    Each of the four themes contains various research components. These modular components are designed to develop and investigate the various elements and attributes relating to its specific core theme. There are various research methodologies, techniques and activities for the components within each core theme, developing a firm base of empirical data. And with the ethos of participatory action-research it will generate self-reflective enquiry and facilitate co-learning for the related research partners. One of the main applied components of CU2 is an action research project on Donegall Pass, a relatively small, well defined geographical community situated close to the University campus. The research objectives are: To identify the changing profile of the Donegall Pass community over time. This includes: demographic change; socio-economic, cultural and lifestyle profiles; ethnic and ethno-religious changes; general land use and housing changes; territorial changes; and community values. To identify the main drivers of change, including: pull-push migration factors; economic restructuring; commercial pressures; and political changes. To assess the scope of current responses to community problems. This would include an audit of the activities of government agencies and community organisations, and would also focus on the role that planning has played, or not played, in the area. To explore new community planning initiatives elsewhere in the UK and Ireland and to assess their potential application for a more appropriate form of local planning in Belfast and Northern Ireland. To set in place a longitudinal study of change in the local community. More information about the Donegall Pass Study:   Theme 1) The interface between regeneration and reconciliation in a contested city like Belfast Traditionally regeneration and reconciliation have been viewed as two separate functions; reinforcing the ‘silo’ mentality of policy development. Even with sustained financial investment, Belfast, as the provinces capital city, still continues to be a contested city. This suggests that there is a need for an integrated approach that connects the amelioration of social need with local economic development, physical regeneration and effective reconciliation. Ultimately tackling regeneration and reconciliation has to be seen as a twin process. Therefore the main components of this section focus on deepening the understanding of what have been the main factors which have created and shaped the city we live in today, where the city is currently that and what is the future for the city of Belfast. More details about the components of Theme 1:  Theme 2) The extent of a structure and culture of collaboration within and among the three tiers of city governance in the contested city of Belfast: Macro, meso and micro. Governance is a crucial concept for the administration and management of contemporary cities and Belfast is no exception. But with governance comes the functional responsibilities of directing and shaping the factors which affect the progress of the city. In turn, this requires commitment from the key players and leaders across the city of Belfast to develop, and move the city forward with a collaborative strategic plan, vision and objectives. Therefore this section of the research hopes to examine the practice of collaborative leadership in the city and the crucial role that governance and social capital have in creating effective peace-building and sustainable development. Furthermore, the section seeks to explore the extent to which city governance is skewed more toward a management model of the contest rather than a transformative one, and how it might be turned more toward the latter. More details about the components of Theme 2:  Theme 3) Building a University-Community Partnership in Belfast and assessing its development and impact An urban university is not a stand-alone entity within its given location. It is a functional and dynamic institution that contributes not only to the global economy, but also, towards the development of the city within which it resides. Although urban universities, such as Queen's University Belfast, have international linkages, one of its most important assets is the local environment and people within which it is situated. Thus working and building on a partnership between Queen's University Belfast and the Belfast Local Strategy Partnership will help assess the potential and impact of a university-community partnership in Belfast. Therefore the creation of an ‘engaged university’ model and its customised application to Belfast are core to this theme. The main elements of this theme involve student research, creating greater linkage and collaboration between urban agencies/partners within Belfast, and comparative work on the role of urban universities in city development at the European and International level. More details about the components of Theme 3:  Theme 4) The most appropriate model and rationale for a systematic social economy in Belfast This section is currently being developed and still has to be finalised. More details about the components of Theme 4:

THEORY    ♦   PRACTICE    ♦   PEOPLE    ♦   RESOURCES    ♦   NEWS    ♦   CONTACT