Belfast City Architecture Risks Losing Character

Belfast could lose its individually, if action is not taken to 'incorporate a distinct architectural personality' into the city centre.

That's according to a leading architectural charity, which has claimed Belfast is at risk of "homogenising into every other city in the world".

The International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture and Urbanism (INTBAU) has just launched its new Ireland Chapter.

Chairman, Robert Adam called on Ulster architects to design buildings that demonstrate the city's rich identity.

Mr Adam said: "One of the key issues at the minute in the modern world is that all places are starting to look the same. Eventually that starts to take away the identity of individual cities.

"Walking through the streets, there are a lot of traditional buildings and it couldn't be anywhere but the British Isles.

"You recognise very quickly that you are in Belfast, but this distinctiveness is disappearing very quickly around the world."

Belfast's latest 'renaissance' focal point did not escape criticism from the INTBAU chair.

He said the Victoria Square development was by no means ideal: "It's good architecture but the problem is it could be anywhere," said Mr Adam.

"There's nothing that tells me I am in Belfast, I could be anywhere in the world," he added.

(PR)