Chapter 6: Equipping Ireland for Future Development: Infrastructure
Below is a summary of Chapter 6. Of extremely current interest are norms for provision of public transport. The graphic is from the Central Statistics Office transport publication December 2016. It was not included in the NPF consultation paper and has been added here as an interesting complement to Chapter 6.
The new NPF will inform strategic national infrastructure than can influence spatial development patterns and provide social structure. It will consider higher primary / secondary school enrollments for example and education levels.
3rd level education statistics for 2015 show that 52% of Irish 25-34 yer olds have 3rd level education. 42% is the EU average
On Scale & Impact the document acknowledges that ome settlements have grown rapidly and need or needed new infrastructure whilst others had population decreases so now need an adjustment in services. In the past dispersed development undermined planned strategic growth resulting in people having to travel relatively long distances for basic services.
Service and infrastructure planning is difficult. Density figures have an impact on this.
Today’s quote: Public Transport Provision
“It is indicative that the Census-defined built up areas of the four largest cities outside Dublin returned an average gross density of 13 people per hectare, whereas the equivalent area in Dublin had 35 people per hectare (2011 figures). This has significant implications for infrastructure and service provision. For example, it is generally accepted that the minimum figure required for the provision of economically viable public transport is in excess of 30 people per hectare.” (p.48)
The National Planning Framework will take a strategic approach nationally and will provide a spatial background on which to base investment decisions. The National broadband plan too will play a key role in regional development.
Ongoing monitoring of the NPF regarding spatial outcomes will be conducted to influence future strategic infrastructure ‘spending and sequencing’.
Infrastructure expenditure must provide value for money and efficiency.
Alternatives to current practices:
- Identification of priorities at a national level
- Sequencing – phased basis of delivery
- Appropriate positioning of large-scale urban development and infrastructure
- Examination of existing infrastructure and support ‘more attractive’ development in those places
- Policy integration regarding health, transport, planning.
- State/Public lands can be used for exemplar projects
Key Questions
- What are the nationally important infrastructure projects for Ireland that require delivery over the next twenty years?
- What do we need to do to make best use of existing infrastructure?
- How can we ensure that the provision of infrastructure can be planned to match future demand and how can the NPF reflect this?
- How can capital spending on new infrastructure be sequenced in a way that is affordable and equitable, while taking account of Ireland’s Climate Change obligations?
- How do we ensure that existing and new development can be supported by the timely provision of social infrastructure?
Tomorrow's summary will cover the final chapter in the new National Planning Framework consultation paper entitled 'Enabling the Vision'. On Friday we will provide the complete list of questions to be addressed when submitting responses along with details of how to submit those responses.