Abstract
This chapter examines the ‘separate but equal’ thesis which contends that segregation in a post-conflict society such as Northern Ireland is acceptable as long as there is equality and respect between the two main communities. In fact, far from creating an equal society, the peace process has not improved the quality of life of those most impacted by the violence, which is most acutely experienced at interface areas where the two communities live ‘cheek by jowl’. The failure of existing government policies which had been aimed at highly segregated and marginalised communities encouraged Atlantic Philanthropies to fund a micro-initiative in an interface area of West Belfast (Suffolk and Lenadoon). The pilot project became the foundation for a partnership with government entitled Contested Space/Interface Programme. This chapter traces how Atlantic Philanthropies used what was learned from this programme to inform the wider public narrative in the shape of the government’s flagship policy document, Together: Building a United Community.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsNotes
- 1.
The 2014 Northern Ireland Life and Times survey sample size was 1210 respondents aged 18 or over selected using systematic random sampling from the Postcode Address File (PAF) and the data were collected between September and December 2014.
- 2.
The Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure (2010) provides information on seven types or ‘domains’ of deprivation and an overall multiple deprivation measure comprising a weighted combination of the seven domains as follows: Income Deprivation 25 %; Employment Deprivation 25 %; Health Deprivation and Disability 15 %; Education Skills and Training Deprivation 15 %; Proximity to Services 10 %; Living Environment 5 %; and, Crime and Disorder 5 %.
- 3.
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive launched the Shared Neighbourhood Programme in August 2008 as a three-year pilot programme. The programme provided grants to enable community organisations to celebrate diversity and bring together people from all backgrounds who live in these areas.
References
Allport, G. W. (1954). The nature of prejudice. Reading: Addison-Wesley.
Belfast Interface Project. (2005). A policy agenda for the interface. Belfast: Belfast Interface Project.
Belfast Interface Project. (2012). http://www.belfastinterfaceproject.org/
Boal, F. (1969). Territoriality in the Shankill-Falls divide in Belfast. Irish Geography, 6(1), 30–50.
Cherry, S., & Knox, C. (2014). Evaluation of the contested spaces/interface programme. Belfast: Atlantic Philanthropies.
Community Relations Council. (2009). Towards sustainable security: Interface barriers and the legacy of segregation in Belfast. Belfast: Community Relations Council.
Deloitte Consulting. (2007). Research into the financial cost of the Northern Ireland divide. Belfast: Deloitte.
Department for Social Development. (2003). People and place: A strategy for neighbourhood renewal. Belfast: DSD.
Department for Social Development. (2011). People and place: A strategy for neighbourhood renewal—mid-term review. Belfast: DSD.
Department of Justice. (2012). Building safer, shared and confident communities: A community safety strategy for Northern Ireland 2012–2017. Belfast: DoJ.
Gormley-Heenan, C., Byrne, J., & Robinson, G. (2013). The Berlin walls of Belfast. British Politics, 8(3), 357–382.
Hall, M. (2007). Building bridges at the grassroots: The experience of Suffolk–Lenadoon Interface Group. Newtownabbey: Island Publications.
Insight Consulting. (2006). Suffolk community plan. Belfast: Suffolk Community Forum.
International Fund for Ireland. (2015b). Annual report and accounts, 2014. Belfast: IFI.
Jarman, N. (2006). Working at the interface: Good practice in reducing tension and violence. Belfast: Institute for Conflict Research.
Jarman, N. (2008). Security and segregation: Interface barriers in Belfast. Shared Space, 6, 21–34.
Knox, C. (2011). Cohesion sharing and integration in Northern Ireland. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 29(3), 548–566.
Knox, C. (2015b). Northern Ireland: Where is the Peace Dividend?. Policy & Politics. http://dx.doi.org/10.1332/030557314X14042296270069
Knox, C., & McWilliams, S. (2015). Evaluation of the contested spaces/interface programme. Belfast: Atlantic Philanthropies.
Lenadoon Community Forum. (2003). The development of Lenadoon area and the community forum 1992–2002. Belfast: Lenadoon Community Forum.
Morrow, D. (2008, February). A better future: Interfaces and the good relations panel. Interface Issue 9, 2–3.
Murtagh, B. (2002). The politics of territory. London: Palgrave.
Nolan, P. (2014). Northern Ireland peace monitoring report (Number 3). Belfast: Community Relations Council.
Northern Ireland Executive. (2011a). Programme for government 2011–2015: Building a better future. Belfast: Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey. (2014). http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/
O’Halloran, C., & McIntyre, G. (1999). Addressing conflict in two interface areas. Belfast: Belfast Interface Project.
Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. (2003). A shared future: A consultation paper on improving relations in Northern Ireland. Belfast: OFMDFM.
Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. (2005). A shared future: Policy and strategic framework for good relations in Northern Ireland. OFMDFM: Belfast.
Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. (2013a). Together: Building a united community. Belfast: Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
Poole, M., & Doherty, P. (1996). Ethnic residential segregation in Belfast. Coleraine: University of Ulster.
Shirlow, P., & Murtagh, B. (2006). Belfast: Segregation, violence and the city. London: Pluto Press.
Shuttleworth, I., & Lloyd, C. (2013). Moving apart or moving together? Shared Spaces, 16, 57–70. Belfast: Community Relations Council.
The Agreement: Agreement reached in Multi-Party Negotiations. (1998). Agreement reached between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Ireland.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 2016 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Knox, C., Quirk, P. (2016). Shared Spaces and Services. In: Public Policy, Philanthropy and Peacebuilding in Northern Ireland. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-46269-5_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-46269-5_4
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-137-46268-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-137-46269-5
eBook Packages: Political Science and International StudiesPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)