Community organisations, political leaders, statutory agencies, Government Departments and local residents, have gathered for the launch of an ambitious ‘Place Shaping’ vision for the Galliagh Estate and to raise awareness of upcoming community engagement which will lead to a plan for the area’s long-term regeneration.

The proposed Place Shaping Plan, will set out a ten-year vision for Galliagh as a thriving, vibrant and sustainable place, harnessing the area’s exceptional potential while driving economic growth, public realm improvements and climate resilience.

Speaking at the launch event at the Galliagh Community Centre on Monday, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Grace Uí Niallais highlighted the significance of the project:

"This marks the beginning of a process that will set out a clear and ambitious vision for the future of Galliagh. What we are launching today is a real commitment to community-led regeneration that benefits the people who live here, the organisations that work here, and the city as a whole. I look forward to seeing the plan progress and be presented to local people early in the new year."

Mayor Grace Uí Niallais, Community Places’ chief executive Paul Roberts, on right Thomas McCallion, manager Galliagh Community Centre overlooking the plans with Community organisations, political leaders, statutory agencies, Government Departments at the launch of an ambitious ‘Place Shaping’ vision for the Galliagh Estate and to raise awareness of upcoming community engagement which will lead to a plan for the area’s long-term regeneration. The proposed Place Shaping Plan, will set out a ten-year vision for Galliagh as a thriving, vibrant and sustainable place, harnessing the area’s exceptional potential while driving economic growth, public realm improvements and climate resilience. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)

placeholder image — Mayor Grace Uí Niallais, Community Places’ chief executive Paul Roberts, on right Thomas McCallion, manager Galliagh Community Centre overlooking the plans with Community organisations, political leaders, statutory agencies, Government Departments at the launch of an ambitious ‘Place Shaping’ vision for the Galliagh Estate and to raise awareness of upcoming community engagement which will lead to a plan for the area’s long-term regeneration. The proposed Place Shaping Plan, will set out a ten-year vision for Galliagh as a thriving, vibrant and sustainable place, harnessing the area’s exceptional potential while driving economic growth, public realm improvements and climate resilience. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)

The project has been funded by the Department for Communities’s Community Empowerment Division and to spearhead the transformative initiative, local partners have commissioned Community Places, an independent charity and social enterprise with 40 years of unrivalled experience in developing community-led regeneration plans across Northern Ireland.

Community Places’ Chief Executive Paul Roberts referred to the aim of the project, which will culminate in the publication of the Galliagh Place Shaping Plan 2036 in March 2027.

“We’ll work with local people and key stakeholders to produce a comprehensive, evidence-led blueprint for Galliagh, one that will outline 10 year goals to reverse local economic decline, improve public services, guide community infrastructure & growth, and boost local pride. By creating a unified strategic vision, Galliagh will be primed and in the best position possible to secure investment from regional government, structural funds, and philanthropic partners.”

“Crucially, the plan will go beyond quick fixes. It will focus on maximising existing assets and potential opportunity sites within and impacting the Galliagh Estate. In addition, every aspect of the regeneration framework will be viewed through the modern lenses of climate change resilience and Community Wealth Building - ensuring economic benefits stay within the local neighbourhood”.

A newly established Project Steering Group will be overseen by and coordinated through both the Galliagh Community Centre and Outer North Neighbourhood Partnership. The Steering Group will include representatives from the Department for Communities (DfC), NI Housing Executive (NIHE), Derry City & Strabane District Council (DCSDC) plus local Councillors and community representatives.

Early, meaningful, and deeply inclusive engagement with residents is embedded into the process from the outset.

The consultation strategy is explicitly designed to reach everyone, making a deliberate effort to include those who are traditionally "hard to reach" or "easy to ignore." To guarantee widespread accessibility, engagement events will be scheduled at various times throughout the day and evening.

Engagement will include Interactive Workshops & Focus Groups to map out assets, priorities, and aspirations; One-to-One Engagement – individual meetings with landowners, service providers, elected representatives, and council officers; Open Community Sessions where residents can openly debate and shape future infrastructure; Targeted Sessions to discover what children, young people, and older residents love most about Galliagh, and how they want it improved; Digital Survey - a short online survey to capture crucial input from those unable to attend events in person.

Following the extensive engagement phase, the findings will be analysed alongside the Steering Group to establish short, medium, and long-term actions. The resulting plan will guarantee that the people living in Galliagh gain access to top-tier services, better job prospects, and a safer, more vibrant environment for their families.

Place Shaping is a collaborative process that looks at the whole picture of a neighbourhood. It explores how housing, green spaces, community facilities, transport, and local economies interlock to create a thriving environment. For Galliagh, this process represents a significant opportunity to build on the community’s immense local pride, tackle deep-rooted systemic challenges, and unlock untapped local potential.

Darren Kirby, Manager of the Outer North Neighbourhood Partnership commented - "This is not about outside experts coming in and telling Galliagh what it needs - this is about harvesting the deep wealth of knowledge, passion, and lived experience that already exists right here within Galliagh. Local residents know their area better than anyone else. By launching this Place Shaping framework today, we are establishing a structured mechanism to turn local ideas and aspirations into real improvements and renewal within Galliagh."

The success of the Galliagh Place Shaping initiative relies entirely on widespread civic participation. Starting in September, a series of engagement events will roll out across the area, ensuring that every demographic - from young children to senior citizens - has a platform to speak.

Tommy McCallion, Manager of On Street Community Youth and Galliagh Community Centre said "People in Galliagh are rightly proud of their community. There are strong organisations here, committed local people and generations of families who have made Galliagh their home. What we haven't always had is the level of investment in our physical environment and facilities that reflects the needs, ambitions and potential of the people who live here.

"For me, that’s what makes this process so important. We have land and spaces across Galliagh that have the potential to become something much more valuable to the community. We need to be ambitious about transforming those areas into quality facilities, green and recreational spaces, community infrastructure and opportunities that local people can actually use and benefit from. This can't just be about making places look better. Proper regeneration should improve people's everyday lives and leave something lasting for the next generation.

“The people of Galliagh know what this community needs. Starting in September, we want residents of all ages to come forward, share their ideas and help shape what happens next. If we get this right, in ten years' time people should be able to look around Galliagh, see real change and know that they had a part in making it happen."