Divis Link
Divis Street is one five city arterial routes cut by the massive infrastructure of the Westlink during the 1970’s. The arteries are now empty and inhibiting places to walk and cycle, the road acts as a de–facto zone separating the entire West and North of the city, some 40% of the entire city population.
The Divis project works on the simple premise that city roads are avenues that create the value for the buildings that should border them. Thus the publicly owned vacant land can be sold, in a design led framework creating economic value and bridging the motorway as a walkable link. The improvements are a self financing project. The sites are however technically difficult and require a design and social model to ensure their true value is liberated.
The project is being progressed with assistance from SIB and DRD Roads Service. The pathfinder refers to the delivery mechanism for these technically difficult sites, this includes an annual social fund raised from the assets. This is a demonstration project, allowing the community sector and good design practice to lead the process.