An overview of Land and Property Services (LPS) was presented by the chief executive, John Wilkinson. In 2007/8 Northern Ireland took the decision to amalgamate four services, i.e. valuation, rates collection, land registers and development of Northern Ireland by providing an integrated set of land and property related services for its citizens and government.   

In the second session Sophie Williams,  Registrar of Titles/Director of Land Titles Division, outlined the work and progress of the National Land Agency in Jamaica, shown here in graphic form.

Valuer Mervyn Thompson (Trinidad & Tobago) discusses CHT newsletter with Euphemia Bota.

Dr McCluskey, also a member of the conference organising committee

Prof. Greg Lloyd, Head of School of Environment, concentrated on the changing public realm in planning and real estate development.  The subject was developed in key considerations such as fundamentalism, uncertainty and globalisation.

In similar vein Peadar Davis (also conference organiser) concluded that an effective property tax system can be a powerful weapon in aiding development especially in transitional jurisdictions. Examples included banding on a floor area basis which may help to establish a robust property tax.

In a detailed presentation relating to the re-development of Belfast’s old gasworks,  Gerry Millar brought into focus all the CASLE disciplines.  This heavily contaminated site of 11 hectares close to the inner city area was closed more than 30 years ago, but in 1996 the City Council decided on a regeneration scheme.  Key factors were job creation, leisure, construction, tourism, industry and commerce, and public

Associates, gave a presentation which captured the history of ship-building in Belfast and the significance of the tragic Titanic and its dry dock round which the 75-hectare development is centred.  Titanic Quarter is truly massive and is one of the largest development sites in Europe yet within walking distance of the city centre.

Susan Spedding (Admin. Secretary CASLE) and Brian Waldy (Secretary-General of CASLE.

Clifford Dann and Jasmine Lim (a member of the university organising group) share a lighter moment.