Date: 14th October 2025

Time: 9:30am – 4:00pm

Location: The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, 9 Market Street, Armagh BT61 7BW

This one-day symposium will explore how heritage, culture, and placemaking can play a transformative role in the regeneration of Northern Ireland’s historic townscapes. As towns across the region face social, economic, and environmental challenges, there is growing recognition that their unique historic character and cultural assets can be central to sustainable renewal.

The morning programme will feature presentations, discussions and break out sessions, each led by an expert panel of practitioners from local government, heritage bodies, cultural organisations, and regeneration specialists. Panel discussions will explore topics such as adaptive reuse of historic buildings, successful collaborative working, widening participation in placemaking, and funding models for heritage-led regeneration.

In the afternoon, delegates will take part in a series of guided site visits to nearby historic spaces and live regeneration projects, offering on-the-ground insight into how theory translates into action. These visits will showcase innovative reuse of historic sites helping to re-energise town centres.

Designed for council officers, building preservation trusts, elected members, planners, and cultural partners, the symposium will provide inspiration, practical tools, and networking opportunities to support the regeneration of Northern Ireland’s rich historic environments.