18th January 2024
There’s Summit about Belfast 2024
Belfast Summit 2024 welcomes keynote speaker Professor Carlos Moreno - the creator of the 15-minute city concept - to first-of-its kind event focussing on the challenges and opportunities faced by the region’s leading city.
By working together to solve the problems that face our city, Belfast can become Europe’s leading small city for people to live, work, and visit – that was the message this morning as the Belfast Summit 2024 was launched at Ulster University’s £250m Belfast campus.
Supported by the city’s Business Improvement Districts Belfast One, Destination CQ, and Linen Quarter BID along with Ulster University and MW Advocate, the Belfast Summit 2024 will welcome Franco-Columbian urban planning expert Professor Carlos Moreno on his first visit to Northern Ireland. Carlos, who is a Professor at the University of Pantheon-Sorbonne, has achieved global recognition for his pioneering vision around the 15-minute city – a concept that would see everyday amenities all within a 15-minute walk or cycle from home.
The Belfast Summit, which will take place on the 15th February, will hear from leaders in business, hospitality, housing, and education, each of whom will lay out their vision for the city and how it can thrive.
Speaking at the launch, Managing Partner at MW Advocate Brendan Mulgrew said:
“Our city faces a set of unique challenges including its history, the structures of government, and the lack of an NI Executive, as well as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, and ongoing challenges around public finances and social deprivation. However, the potential is clear by working together and listening to those from across our city, it can become one of the best places to live, work, and visit in Europe.
“I’m delighted that this event is supported by the city’s three BIDs and also to welcome our keynote speaker Carlos Moreno, a world-renowned urbanist and the creator of the concept of a 15-minute city where people live within 15 minutes of all the major amenities they require – health, education, public space and retail. This is Carlos’ first visit to Northern Ireland and we’re looking forward to his visit and how his expertise and ideas can have a positive impact on our city.”
Professor Duncan Morrow, Director of Regional Engagement at Ulster University, said:
“We’re excited to host the Belfast Summit 2024 at our Belfast campus, which has made a transformative contribution to the regeneration of much of the centre of the city. It has also been a catalyst for building new, strong relationships with communities right across the city and for those partners, like Ulster University, who are ambitious for this place and its people. Alongside everyone involved in the Belfast Summit, we want to see Belfast flourish as a place to live, work, socialise, and, of course, learn. We are looking forward to welcoming delegates to our Belfast Campus and to hearing about the ideas and vision that each participant has for our city.”
The Belfast Summit takes place on the 15th February 2024 in Ulster University’s Belfast Campus. You can find out more, including how to book your place, at www.belfastsummit.com.
