This survey was one of a range of methods used to examine in detail
the quality of life and experiences of residents in two enclave
areas, and its results should be read in the context of the other
outputs from the project. The survey aimed to establish how residents
saw themselves and their communities, and to collect residents'
views about staying or leaving their area, uncovering factors
which influenced their decisions to stay or go, and factors which
would contribute to improvements in their quality of life. At
this stage, the followings conclusions emerge from this first
examination of the data.
There is divergence between the two areas on a range of factors
related to political, religious and national identity, which
is, in turn, related to and influences the community's experience
of the security forces; a resolution of the difficulties surrounding
attitudes to policing and the police force would contribute substantially
to reducing the polarisation in attitude and experience between
the two communities.
Divergence between the two areas occurs on factors related to
the built environment, which is, in turn, related to the substantial
differences in the built environment itself (and the parts that
have yet to be built) in both areas. A successful resolution to
Fountain residents' difficulties with car parking and city centre
vandalism would allow them to fully enjoy the advantages of being
in the city centre. Similarly, amelioration of Gobnascale residents'
problems with lack of access to amenities, by providing more locally
based amenities and mobile amenities would allow Gobnascale
residents to unequivocally enjoy their access to open space, and
the panoramic view of the city. Facilities for children in both
areas require development, and attention should be given to the
needs of those in single households, particularly older people
living alone in the Fountain, and consideration should be given
to developing services to address issues of isolation and home
support services.
Unemployment and low income are problems in both areas, and much
wanted economic development strategies which create employment
and are designed to meet the local needs of communities would
contribute positively to both communities' cohesiveness and self
confidence.
More Fountain than Gobnascale residents surveyed felt part of
a minority. Those surveyed tended to refer to the context of the
city, rather than the context of the country or the island when
defining whether or not they felt in the minority, and this has
important implications for those with responsibility for shaping
city policies. It will be a challenge to develop a culture of
inclusiveness in the city, given the significant differences in
attitude between the two communities on the movement of Protestants
out of the city. From qualitative work undertaken, it seems as
if the attitude found in Gobnascale may be representative of the
attitude among other Catholics in the city, and further research
would help establish this.
Both areas were conscious of the stigma of living in an enclave,
although they responded differently to troubles-related pressures.
Fountain residents were more likely to want to resist intimidation,
whereas Gobnascale residents were more likely to want to move
due to troubles related factors. A pro-active community relations
policy which engages in public education on, for example, sectarian
verbal abuse, would raise public consciousness on some of the
issues which press on these two areas. Fountain residents mixed
with Catholics more than Gobnascale residents mixed with Protestants,
and a substantial percentage in both communities saw segregation
as a loss of opportunity for friendship and exchange with the
other community. At a general policy level, more thought and energy
is required to develop policy on segregation in ways which ensure
the safety and integrity of communities under threat, whilst minimising
the isolation, stigma and other negative effects of segregation.
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