Connswater Community Greenway

Belfast , United Kingdom

Year

2017

Duration

4 years

Cost

£40m

Location

United Kingdom

Project achievements

Connected communities

Offers a space for community, leisure and recreation events

Solved the problem

Protects homes from severe flooding

Environment benefitted

Blue-green infrastructure delivers environmental benefits beyond flood management

Combining flood protection and urban generation for the benefit of people and the planet

The Connswater Community Greenway transformed 9km of neglected waterways along the Loop, Knock and Connswater rivers in east Belfast into a connected network of parks, wildlife corridors, walking and cycling routes, and community spaces.

The £40 million project was developed in response to east Belfast’s long history of flooding. The devastating 2007 flood was the largest on record, with around 340 properties affected.

This reinforced the need for investment in the area, which complemented the EastSide Partnership's vision to regenerate the river corridors through a 9km linear park scheme.

The partnership had secured funding from the Big Lottery Fund's Living Landmarks Programme in 2006. It quickly became apparent that construction work for the flood works and the park could be combined.

Rather than viewing flood risk as a standalone engineering challenge, the project brought together flood protection, environmental improvement and urban regeneration.

Doing so meant the project reduced disruption for local communities and businesses while delivering better value for money.

The project was completed in 2017.

Did you know …

EastSide Partnership’s application for funding to Big Lottery was one of only three successful “Living Landmark” applications out of 300 submitted from across the UK.
The scheme has provided 1,700 properties within East Belfast with the national standard of flood protection against fluvial and tidal events.
The Conn O’Neill Bridge an archaeological focal point and subject of Van Morrison’s song ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ was carefully restored as part of the scheme.

Project achievements and benefits

Connswater Community Greenway demonstrates how civil engineering can deliver multiple benefits through a single piece of infrastructure.

The scheme significantly reduces flood risk, providing protection for around 1,700 properties. At the same time, it restored the natural river environment and reconnected local communities with their waterways.

The greenway's extensive network of trees, planting and open spaces also helps Belfast adapt to a changing climate.

As cities experience warmer summers, vegetation and river corridors provide natural cooling through shade and increased moisture in the landscape. This reduces the urban heat island effect and creates more comfortable public spaces during periods of hot weather.

Replacing hard surfaces with blue-green infrastructure also delivers a range of environmental benefits beyond flood management. The project improves biodiversity, creates new habitats, enhances air quality and encourages active travel through its extensive walking and cycling network.

People were central to the project's design.

Extensive community engagement ensured local priorities shaped the final scheme, transforming previously underused land into vibrant public spaces that support recreation, health and wellbeing.

The Connswater Community Greenway and East Belfast Flood Alleviation Scheme have also contributed to the wider regeneration of east Belfast through investment, employment and tourism.

Today, the greenway provides a vibrant, safe and accessible public space for leisure, recreation and community events while continuing to protect east Belfast from flooding.

It demonstrates how thoughtfully designed infrastructure can strengthen climate resilience, connect communities and create places that will benefit future generations.

Connswater Community Greenway shows that infrastructure can do far more than solve a single problem.

By combining flood protection with blue-green spaces and active travel routes, the project helps communities adapt to both heavier rainfall and rising temperatures.

The lessons from Connswater are increasingly relevant as engineers look for ways to create towns and cities that are cooler, greener and better prepared for a changing climate.
Carol Andrews, associate director at Arup

Project overview

The works were delivered primarily through an integrated contract managed by Belfast City Council, with funding provided proportionately by the project partners.

Phase 1

Realignment of the Knock River into a more natural, meandering channel through existing parklan
Upgraded park entrances
New and improved pedestrian and cycle paths
New bridges, lighting, and hard and soft landscaping