LEADING SAFETY BODY RECOGNISES CRIME PREVENTION DESIGN FOR CITY QUAYS GARDENS
City Quays Gardens in Belfast has been presented with a special safety award from a leading industry body in recognition of its excellence in designing out crime and creating a safe, welcoming public space.
The Secured by Design (SBD) Recognition Certificate was presented to Belfast Harbour Police today by Michael Brooke, Deputy Chief Operating Officer at Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (Police CPI), the parent organisation of SBD, the official police security initiative that works to improve the security of buildings and their immediate surroundings.
Belfast Harbour Police initially approached SBD for advice on Belfast Harbour’s plans to create a public garden on the site of a former car park between the historic Harbour Office building and the City Quays office buildings. The aim of the collaboration was to ensure the area could be as safe possible for local residents, office workers and the wider public to use.
Applying the SBD and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) guidelines, SBD worked closely with the developers to shape an open garden with clear sightlines, integrated pathways, carefully pruned trees, seating areas, lighting and CCTV. The result is a space where visitors feel safe, without feeling overwatched or exposed, offering relaxing areas to sit or stroll amongst richly planted areas and lawns.
SBD also took guidance from the Safer Parks campaign and considered Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in the design, removing obstacles such as hidden corners or dead ends along with other measures to reduce opportunities for harassment, helping to create a safer and more inclusive space.
Secured by Design awards are given to projects and developments which implement the SBD design principles, using police-endorsed third-party tested products. Whilst most awards are given to building projects or developments that may include landscaping and community areas, a bespoke SBD Recognition Certificate was created for City Quays Gardens as a standalone project, reflecting that the garden met all the same high standards for design and safety.
Michael Daly, Chief Officer with Belfast Harbour Police, said: “We are delighted to have been recognised for our contribution towards the development of City Quays Gardens through this special award from Secured by Design, which acknowledges the careful planning which has gone into making this a safe and welcoming public space for the people of Belfast.
“Since opening almost a year ago the Gardens have become a popular attraction for local residents, office workers and the public, who are able to benefit from the welcoming environment which has been enhanced by the input of our key design partners, including Secured By Design, among others.”
Michael Brooke, Deputy Chief Operating Officer at Police CPI, said: “It has been a pleasure to award City Quay Gardens with an SBD Recognition Certificate. The Gardens are an excellent example of how applying Secured by Design principles and thoughtful environmental design can actively reduce opportunities for crime while creating a space that feels warm and welcoming, with a particular consideration for women and girls. This certificate recognises the collaboration between everyone involved to create a safe public space”.
Meanwhile, Lady Pirrie House and Dargan House at Loftlines, Titanic Quarter have also received a Secured by Design Gold award, the scheme’s highest standard.
The award was jointly achieved by Watkin Jones, GRAHAM, Lacuna Developments and TODD Architects for Dargan House and Lady Pirrie House, the first completed residential building within the Loftlines development. Key design principles aligned with SBD standards were embedded from the outset, in consultation with Belfast Harbour Police, and carried through delivery.
Mr Daly added: “Secured by Design Gold recognises developments that follow nationally recognised police standards for crime prevention through construction and design. These principles were built into Loftlines from the very beginning and are shaping a neighbourhood that is safe and welcoming. Creating places where people feel secure is central to community wellbeing, and developments built to this standard make a meaningful contribution to supporting policing and fostering safer neighbourhoods.”
