Business

Built environment plays crucial role in fostering pride, identity and emotional attachment

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) are among the new clients to take up residence in Belfast's Custom House, which has been transformed into new office accommodation.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) are among the new clients to take up residence in Belfast's Custom House, which has been transformed into new office accommodation.

SINCE I joined the RICS NI board in 2017, we’ve continued to push for positive change in the built and natural environment in a bid to address issues relating to climate change.

The board, alongside members have been advocating for the built environment and the role it plays in maintaining Northern Ireland’s rich history and heritage.

The built environment can play a crucial role in helping to foster a sense of pride, identity and emotional attachment to places while also supporting the long-term economic prosperity and resilience of local and regional communities.

By investing in our infrastructure, we invest in our communities and build a sustainable future.

Through my time on the board, the industry has faced challenges like never before with increased carbon emissions leading to severe impact on our environment and societies.

This is why net-zero carbon targets must be at the heart of decision making as we progress into the second half of this year and beyond.

As I leave my role as chair of the board, we still have no functioning government to help support the needs of the construction industry and help alleviate some of the pressures so that we can all work towards contributing to communities across the country.

We want, and need, a future that is healthy and sustainable, and to do so we need to embed procurement approaches as industry standard and to attract people to live, work and invest in Northern Ireland.

As I reflect on my time as chair of the RICS regional board in Northern Ireland three words come to mind: people, place and partnership.

The people at RICS in NI, the board and members, have worked to up-skill surveyors, and to attract future generations to help close the skills gap. In saying that, RICS is calling for a functioning Executive to form to provide support for more apprenticeship schemes, and to work with the industry to deliver training to attract and retain construction professionals.

RICS in NI has recently opened new office space in Belfast’s Custom House. The newly obtained offices are part of a five-star facility in the heart of the city, offering a dedicated place for members to meet, network and collaborate and promote the importance of NI’s built environment.

Custom House Square in Belfast has recently been transformed into one of Belfast's best new office environments.
Custom House Square in Belfast has recently been transformed into one of Belfast's best new office environments.

And finally, partnership, RICS NI has partnered with various membership firms to deliver expert advice and guidance, to demonstrate leading and best practice projects such as Erne Campus and Grand Central Station.

Throughout my time on the board, we also contacted the other regional boards to build essential and fruitful partnerships, to work together to better serve our local communities and wider economy.

As my time as Chair of the RICS regional board in Northern Ireland draws to a close, I I have no doubt that RICS NI will continue to expand, develop and excel under the new leadership, and the board will continue to help the profession mitigate climate related risk and move towards a net-zero future, as we work to deliver a sustainable future for all in the built environment.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors promotes and enforces the highest professional qualifications and standards in the development and management of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure.

Sharon McClements is outgoing Chair of the RICS Regional Board in Northern Ireland.