This briefing is one of our series of briefings on a sense of place. It considers what sense of place and identity mean in relation to regeneration and how retaining and building on sense of place can ensure the sustainability of projects.
The reports covered in this briefing provide more evidence of the importance of walking and examples of the kind of initiatives that could be introduced to make cities in Ireland safer and more pleasant to walk around.
In local government we often discuss the role of heritage in encouraging tourism and bolstering the local economy but we less frequently consider its role in helping to shape a place and strengthen its identity and the sense of place of its residents.
This briefing examines one of the key sources of funding the revenue accounts of Irish local authorities, Commercial rates, exploring their use in four local authorities, and examining key issues and challenges facing local authorities in terms of collection and arrears of commercial rates.
The NPF's Issues Paper, precursor of the draft NPF which will be published later in the year, is open for public consultation until mid-March. This Briefing sets the Issues Paper in context, outlines and assesses its contents, and describes where the NPF process goes from here.
The National Planning Framework Consultative Policy Statement will shortly be published by the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, and is without doubt one of the most important policy statements any government in the history of the State has published.
There have been significant cuts to local authority budgets for the upkeep of Ireland's green spaces. The UK faces the same problem, and this briefing will examine the findings of a British report and explore alternative approaches that local authorities there are adopting for the management of parks.
Local government systems around the world seek to nurture the voice of communities, focusing on improving quality of life of citizens and promoting economic and cultural development. This briefing explores the policy framework within which Culture and the Arts operate in Ireland and its links to economic growth.
Ireland is experiencing a shortage of new homes following the economic crash of 2007. The total number of new homes constructed in 2015 was about half of what is required. This briefing looks at the role of the planning system as part of the government’s housing action plan.
Ireland faces infrastructure challenges which continue to restrain the country's capacity to be among the most competitive globally. The situation is similar in Scotland, which recently published an Independent Review of Planning from which relevant comparisons can be drawn.