Northern Ireland's social development minister, Margaret Ritchie, has unveiled designs for the radical overhaul of two Belfast streets as part of a wider scheme to transform the city's shopping area.

Donegall Place and Castle Place are set to undergo an extensive revamp after the Northern Ireland government confirmed that it was investing £7m in the scheme, which is set to get underway in May, subject to planning approval. Plans for the two streets, which have been drawn up by architects Atkins, include new paving and new lighting to improve accessibility for pedestrians, while also making the city centre a safer environment for shoppers and visitors.

Farrans has been appointed to carry out the work, which forms part of the £28m first phase of the Belfast: Streets Ahead initiative and will result in the transformation of 13 of the city's streets by 2010. Ritchie said: "When the first stage of this work is completed next year, we will have wider pavements and partial pedestrianisation with buses running only in one direction. This will make Donegall Place and Castle Place a safer, more attractive environment for shoppers, visitors, and those who work in the city centre.

"The scheme will finally be completed when the city centre transport plan is fully implemented. At that point, Donegall Place will be full pedestrianised. We are moving forward in the right direction, making sure that we get the balance right between meeting the needs of pedestrians and ensuring the smooth running of public transport." Lord mayor of Belfast, Tom Hartley, added: "2009 is set to be a momentous year for Belfast with the reopening of many of our landmark buildings and a number of exciting new developments.

"Our city is more confident and vibrant than ever – full of opportunity, inspiring enterprise, creativity and change."