Ireland 2040 Position Paper Summary & Briefs Chapter 4

Chapter 4: A Place Making Strategy

Welcome to the continuation of our National Planning Framework Consultation Paper Chapter Summary Blog. 

Today we present a summary Chapter 4 which is split into three key parts: urban, regional and rural and includes distinctions between coastal and inland areas.

The first part of this chapter examines the current situation regarding urban centres.

Capital/Cities/Towns

Ireland is spatially uneven and there is a strong reliance on Dublin.

  • Dublin = 40% population with 49% of economic output

In comparison:

  • London = 22% of the UK population with 32% of economic output

Strong growth in Dublin and absence of growth in other urban centres has been a continuing pattern and Ireland has a lack of ‘next tier’ cities.

Spatial pattern of Dublin includes Louth south to Wexford on the coast and Kildare, Westmeath, Longford and Cavan to the West and Northwest from where commuters make the daily trip to work mostly by car

Section 1 Quote

“Dublin’s success as a city region is a double-edged sword.  It has enabled Ireland to compete in an international context but such success has also given rise to pressures in areas such as housing, transport and infrastructural requirements which affect competitiveness.” (p.23)

A key message here is that a loss of competition in Dublin is directly related to a loss of competition for Ireland as a whole with companies locating to other EU towns/ cities and not to other Irish towns/cities with quality infrastructure.

Of the 5 Irish cities: Dublin, Waterford, Cork, Limerick and Galway only the latter has had inner city growth.  The rest have ‘sprawl’ – in other words development spreading away from the centres.

In an all-island context, Derry and Belfast are included as cities in the northern half of the country (this, along with all elements of the consultation will be addressed in detail in our commentary and opinion blog series that begins next week).

The chapter suggests that a similar role can be played by a network of towns outside these cities.  It refers to the UK and the Northern Powerhouse Concept which is where northern cities in the UK: Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield act as a counterbalance to London.  It is suggested that this may be a model for Ireland.

An EU study showed that 2nd tier cities/towns lead to better cohesion and competition and a focus on multiple towns is not necessarily the way to go.

Alternatives are presented:

  1. Protect Dublin’s International competitiveness
  2. City centre out regeneration
  3. Promotion of one or more of the regional cities with planning and investment
    • Long-term
    • Sustainable
    • Transformational

The role and scale of development in other towns must be examined.

Key Questions for Urban Section of Chapter 4

  1. What role should the 5 Irish cities have the NPF?
  2. How can one or more strong regional complements to Dublin be developed – including interactions between settlements?
  3. Should admin/Government structures be reformed to enable alliances/collaborations/actions to build cities and their regions?
  4. How should urban policy be developed to distinguish growth within built-up areas and greenfield development?
  5. How can towns near cities and those further away be distinguished
  6. What measures can be used re the potential densification scenarios that may be applied to existing urban areas?

 

Regional Section

There are three regional assemblies in Ireland:

  • North West
  • South
  • East & Midlands

mapofregions.png

(Image from Ireland 2040 p.26)

There has been an increased regional focus in recent policy and regional assemblies have played a key role with Regional Spatial & Economic Strategies (RSES) having been designed.

Regional Economic Productivity

  • East and Midlands = greater than average
  • South = average
  • North West = Below Average

Quote Section 2

“Effective regional development is about reducing disparities by embracing the spatial development opportunities specific to …[that]…region…” (p.28)

A tailored approach is necessary which is reflected in the RSESs where maximisation of capabilities of regions is key.   The best way forward is to decrease low skilled people in a region and increase people with high skills but there is a need for innovation and integrated policies

Human and infrastructural elements are equally important and to realise effective regional development, three elements must be considered:

  1. Human capital determines regional growth (OECD)
  2. Thus far too much focus on physical infrastructure which is necessary but must be accompanies by human capital and innovation
  3. Educational/skills strategies and regional skills for a should be developed and the consolidation of the I.T. network must play a role

There is a correlation between regional productivity and proximity to large urban centres but outside of these urban centres competitive advantage must be promoted e.g. food, arts, clean energy, marine, tourism.  Clusters in sectors should be formed by individual enterprises and strategic transport planning is necessary to help regions reach their potential.

Alternatives for the future must consider:

  • One size fits all is not working
  • Increasing human capital potential in regions must be maximised
  • Combining regions assets and strengths
  • Align clustering with place-making
  • Strengthen regional cities/towns as drivers for growth
  • Align development with a low-carbon future
  • Leadership, governance, role of regional assemblies

 

Key Questions Section 2

  1. What are the levers for effective regional development?
  2. How can human capital be increased in regions?
  3. What is the regional value proposition? (an innovation, service, or combination of measures and approaches)
  4. Should trans-boundary / regional issues be coordinated by the regional assemblies?
  5. What funding opportunities are necessary to support investment?

 

Section 3: Potential of Rural Ireland

Two reports are important:

Potential for rural areas is seen in the EU as cities driving regional economic development

Quote Section 3

“…stronger rural areas are not only located in a geographical advantageous place but also have the human and social capital to identify their needs and effectively engage with emerging strategies.” (p.30)

 

Resilience of Rural Areas needs a balance between:

  • Agriculture vs Economic diversification
  • Traditional rural activity vs Rural development

As a human place it is good but only fair regarding infrastructure but how much development is enough?

Rural areas/small towns / villages are not resilient to structural change:

  • Decline in rural industries
  • Nature: place of employment
  • Physical retail and commercial changes with main streets gone

The CEDRA Report shows that many rural towns that have developed sustainably tend to be near the 5 main cities or large towns.  However unsustainable economic choices have been made such as:

  • Out-migration
  • Possibly shopping in outlying retail parks etc

Rapid growth in rural towns over 20 year period which is difficult to sustain and service vis a vis infrastructure and services.  But population decrease in more remote towns not near big cities/towns has been masked by overall growth in population.  If there is a continuation in current trends: population will decrease in general and an increase in aged population and social isolation will continue and take hold.

A different approach necessary for more remote areas.  We need to protect rural areas and values but there is a Rural / Urban Interdependence.

Rural areas / towns have escaped the ‘sameness’ of globalisation and a place-based approach will avoid unequal development

Links between culture/heritage, food/food production, landscape/tourism and new tech and clean energy production must be examined.

New interventions necessary

Key Questions on Rural Issues

  1. How can NPF capture rural resources to support national growth?
  2. What is the solution to maintaining population?
  3. What role should towns/villages in Ireland’s growth?
  4. How can rural areas escape urban sprawl?
  5. What measures are needed for people “…with a genuine need to live in the countryside”?
  6. How can climate change issues be harnessed from rural areas?

 

An all-island context was also examined in Chapter 4 which acknowledges that place-making does not always follow boundaries with reference to border crossings and linkages.  This means a coherent approach is required across boundaries.

Currently issues such as cross-border tourism, the all-island electricity market are important to consider.

marinemass_1.png

Image from Ireland 2040 (p.38)


Further focus is given to integrated land and marine development with the fact that our sea-bed territory is ten times larger than out landmass making us one of the largest countries in the EU from a territorial point of view.  Overlaps include:

  • Coastal protection
  • Flood risk
  • Water quality
  • Land/Seascape
  • Culture
  • Biodiversity
  • Nature conservation
  • Energy infrastructure
  • Communication infrastructure
  • Ports/shipping/marinas/dredging
  • Tourism/recreation/leisure

All EU States with coasts must supply a Maritime Spatial Plan by March 2021 that will frame human activities at sea.

Important quote re the marine sector:

“Seizing new opportunities in the marine sector such as those in the learning economy and the energy sector will help to deliver sustainable economic growth, attracting and retaining population and supporting services.  This is particularly relevant to coastal communities.  In terms of skills, the industry in Ireland requires technicians and general operatives as well as high-skilled technical staff and professionals.” (p.40)

Note: Irish ports are ‘tiered’ with Dublin, Cork and Foynes being Tier 1 ports.

A final note in this section is that an inter-relationship between the land and the sea must be enhanced for Ireland to become a world leader in the marine sector.

Final Key Questions from Chapter 4:

  1. How can the NPF facilitate north south co-ordination and how should it be reflected in the NPF?
  2. What cross-border economic opportunities and clusters can be captured and supported?
  3. What mechanisms are needed for a joined up approach to cross border re infrastructure and investment decisions?
  4. What structures need to be in place to leverage joint financing?
  5. How can cross catchment area environment issues be addressed together?
  6. What is the future for Ireland’s coastline, islands and offshore?
  7. How can coastal and island communities contribute to a national vision for Ireland?
  8. How can the goals of the integrated marine plan be spatially represented in a NPF?
  9. What policies or measures or actions should be taken to enable Ireland marine resources to adapt to climate change issues?
  10. What infrastructure investment should be made to maximise sustainability and potential of our ocean resources?