Date: 11th November 2026

Time: 9:00am – 10:30am

Location: Penthouse Suite, Europa Hotel, Great Victoria St, Belfast BT2 7AP

Critical infrastructure — from electricity and water to transport — underpins the delivery of essential public services and keeps communities connected, and enables housing, enterprise and long-term economic growth. While new infrastructure delivers benefits for society as a whole, the communities asked to host new infrastructure or live through lengthy construction programmes can disruption, uncertainty and a sense of disconnection from the decision-making process. This session will explore the scale of critical infrastructure needed to support Northern Ireland’s future, improve public services and unlock economic opportunity. It will also consider why meaningful engagement with the communities most affected by new plans must be central to building trust, securing support and delivering infrastructure successfully.