Great news from the city centre! An innovative project, The BUG (Belfast’s Urban Garden), has proven that even temporary vacant spaces can be transformed into thriving community hubs, reaping significant benefits for health and wellbeing.
Running from spring 2024 to summer 2025, The BUG was a collaborative effort led by The Conservation Volunteers and Belfast Healthy Cities, with vital funding from the Department for Infrastructure and the Public Health Agency. Its mission was simple: to test how a 'meanwhile' space – a temporarily vacant plot – could become a vibrant social garden right in the heart of Belfast, specifically at the Belfast Stories site on Kent Street. The success has been remarkable, offering valuable insights for future greening initiatives across our city, including here in North Belfast.
The project engaged almost 3,000 visitors, created hundreds of volunteering opportunities, and provided crucial support to some of Belfast’s most vulnerable individuals and groups. It arose from a recognised need for more green spaces in the city centre, aiming to make Belfast greener, more attractive, and people-friendly, aligning with 'A Bolder Vision for Belfast'.
Councillor Joe Duffy, Chair of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee, shared his delight: “Our ambition was for a city-centre project that could combine urban growing, community engagement, and education and learning, linked to health and wellbeing. The BUG far exceeded our expectations as a 'proof of concept' for city centre greening.” He added, “The BUG proved to be a powerful social connector across ages and backgrounds – and particularly with those at the greatest risk of health inequalities. It offered an inclusive, safe shared space where friendships grew alongside the fruit and veg.”
Jacqueline O’Hagan, Healthy City Coordinator at Belfast Healthy Cities, highlighted the practical benefits: “The Belfast Urban Garden demonstrated in a really practical way how reimagining underused urban spaces can deliver tangible benefits for health and wellbeing. Even temporary interventions can reduce isolation, build on a sense of community, and support mental and physical health. Importantly, it highlighted how greening initiatives can contribute to tackling health inequalities by creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels very welcome.”
Siobhan Donald, Assistant Director of Strategic Public Health at the Public Health Agency, echoed this sentiment: “The Belfast Urban Garden project has shown how the use of a temporary green space can have a lasting impact on people and communities. By engaging almost 3,000 visitors, creating hundreds of volunteering opportunities and supporting some of the most vulnerable individuals and groups in our communities, the project has helped improve wellbeing, reduce social isolation and strengthen community connections.”
Participants themselves described The BUG as an “oasis” in a grey area, valuing its warmth, welcoming atmosphere, and interactive nature. Unlike a conventional park, people could “do” things – meet others, learn, and engage in positive activities. Those attending the Saturday Green Gym sessions expressed pride in seeing a 'meanwhile' space used for nature rather than remaining derelict. Beyond gaining practical experience in growing food, herbs, and flowers, participants learned about biodiversity, shared produce, and even helped build infrastructure like a polytunnel. The consistent mental wellbeing benefits were striking, with one participant sharing: “Even if I was having the worst day, I always left The BUG feeling like a weight had been lifted.”
The Conservation Volunteers are already reusing materials from The BUG and are eager to explore further opportunities for city centre greening, and indeed, for communities across Belfast. This project offers a fantastic blueprint for how we can transform our own local 'meanwhile' spaces into thriving, green community assets. If your organisation is inspired to set up an urban garden or wants to learn more about The BUG evaluation, you can email [email protected]