1. What will the City Deal for Derry and Strabane achieve?

The Derry City and Strabane District City Deal is forecast to: triple the expected rate of employment growth and to at least double population growth within the DCSDC area while GVA by the end of the decade will have increased by £230m per annum.

These forecasts of the immediate economic impacts do not include the catalytic effect of the investment on knowledge capital within the region as the number of those with PhDs+ within Ulster University’s Magee campus and Health sector increase significantly in tandem with greatly improved infrastructural linkages, in particular digital connectivity.

2. What is the Innovation strand of the Derry~Londonderry and Strabane City Deal?

Investment in innovative projects that will deliver a competitive edge is at the core of the City Deal for Derry~Londonderry and Strabane.

With Industry 4.0 as the backdrop and economic resilience as the destination; these innovative projects are world-class and involve establishing a Northern Ireland Graduate Entry Medical School (NIGEMS) and centres of excellence for: personalised medicine and community health, data and cognitive analytics, artificial intelligence and augmented reality, robotics and automation and advanced manufacturing.

3. Who is involved in delivering the Ulster University City Deal projects?

Ulster University are leading the development of these Innovation projects, working in close partnership with Derry City Strabane District Council (DCSDC). Each of the projects is being developed in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders across the private, public and community sectors.

4. What funding is available for the Derry~Londonderry and Strabane City Deal?

The Government funding for the Derry~Londonderry and Strabane City Deal is a £210m investment package.

This includes:

  • £105m from UK Treasury
  • £105m match-funding from the NI Executive

With further funding from Ulster University and partners bringing the total investment to £250m.

5. Who is involved in delivering the Innovation strand?

Ulster University are leading the development of these Innovation projects, working in close partnership with Derry City Strabane District Council.

Each of the projects is being delivered in consultation with a wide range of partners and stakeholders across the private, public and voluntary sectors.

6. What is the timeline for delivery of the Innovation projects?

Given the capital build element of these projects, it will be a number of years before the new buildings are visible on the skyline of the City and District.

A more detailed timeline forecast will be available once business cases for the projects, (evidencing the need and economic benefits) are signed off.

It is worth noting however, that it is envisaged that the work of the School of Medicine would get under-way in August 2021 with the School transferring to a new site once the building is ready.

More broadly, the work of the likes of CARL, CIDRA and THRIVE is active and on-going currently; the projects were chosen because of Ulster University’s form and legacy in these pioneering disciplines. The City Deal agenda will see a significant expansion of these activities at new locations on the Magee Campus and across the city and region.

7. How does the Derry~Londonderry and Strabane City Deal relate to the other City/Growth Deals across Northern Ireland?

In-keeping with New Decade, New Approach’s objective to develop a regionally-balanced economy with opportunities for all, the projects and priorities are chosen on the basis of the needs of each Council area but with care to avoid duplication.

8.How can I contact the Derry City Deal team at Ulster University?

You can email derrycitydeal@ulster.ac.uk with an initial query which will then be redirected to the relevant team member.

Contact details for each of the Innovation Project Leads can also be found through the contact information listed on the dedicated project pages.

You can also follow our activities on Twitter through the hashtag, #derrycitydeal.

9. Will environmental sustainability be taken into account in developing the projects?

Ulster University is committed to environmental sustainability as a key underpinning principle not just for the design of City Deal facilities, but in all Estates projects.

In 2009, Ulster University and Health Estates Northern Ireland introduced the Sustainable Development Design Brief (SDDB).

The Brief is designed to enhance the existing BREEAM environmental sustainability assessment method, in monitoring design proposals and construction practice against the highest sustainability standards.

It is an integral part of the tender process for major projects and is included in the brief issued to design teams.

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