A significant component of the research focussed on developing a narrative relating to the development of Belfast. This was accomplished by a series of interviews with key actors providing a range a divergent views. These provided the naration for the reserach film; longer edits of these seven interviews can be viewed below.
Interview 1 examines the Sailortown area of Belfast, a thriving civic quarter which was decimated by the motorway plans of the 1960s. Community activists and former Sailortown residents George Eagleson and Paul McLaughlin discuss what happened to the area, sharing their personal experiences and political interpretations.
Interview 2 examines the life, work and personality of Robert Matthew; the architect and planner behind the 'Matthew Plan,' Belfast's first modernist masterplan, discussing these matters with Professor Miles Glendinning of Edinburgh College of Art.
Interview 3 examines the planning context of the 'Matthew Plan' discussing Belfast's first modernist masterplan with Dick Mackenzie and Bill Morrison, two experienced planners who were practicing in Belfast at the time.
Interview 4 concerns the architectural context of the 'Matthew Plan' in a discussion with two retired architects who practiced in Belfast at the time; Joe Fitzgerald and Barrie Todd.
Interview 5 concerns the contemporary context of the 'Matthew Plan' by way of a discussion between two founding members of the Forum for Alternative Belfast; Declan Hill and Ciaran Mackel.
Interview 6 concerns the work of Sir Charles Brett in the heritage movement in Northern Ireland in a discussion with Karen Latimer and Marcus Patton of the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society and the HEARTH Housing Association and Revolving Fund.
Interview 6 concerns the work of Sir Charles Brett in the social housing movement in Northern Ireland in a discussion with Erskine Holmes, former chief executive of the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations, and Paddy McIntyre, former chief executive of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
