ABSTRACT
Northern Ireland is a post-conflict society underpinned by a hard won peace agreement brokered in the global stare, which has now turned its gaze elsewhere. From the civil rights march in Derry in 1968, up until the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, Northern Ireland experienced a violent conflict surrounding its constitutional status, known as 'the Troubles'. With the Troubles, a massive hole had been blown in Northern Ireland's confidence, which has proved very difficult to restore. While planning legislation is in place to control demolition, Northern Ireland government has shown little appetite to pursue developers who carry out illegal demolitions. Desperation to be back to 'business as usual' took root within political circles, as public representatives seized upon building anew as a symbol of prosperity and peace. Northern Ireland government has also presided over the destruction of many traditional buildings in the countryside through the Housing Executive's Replacement Grant scheme, which has favoured replacement over the improvement of rural dwellings.
