Download Regional Planning Guidelines

Regional Planning Guidelines for the Greater
Dublin Area 2004-2016
1st Floor, Mainscourt,
23 Main Street, Swords
Co. Dublin.
Tel: (01) 807 4482
Fax: (01) 890 1355
Email: [email protected]
Profile:
The Greater Dublin Area extends over seven local council areas (Dublin City, Fingal
County, South Dublin County, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County, Meath County, Kildare
County and Wicklow County Councils) and two regional authorities (Dublin and MidEast) all of which work together to produce one overall regional planning policy
guideline to provide a framework for integrated sustainable land-use planning. The
population of the Greater Dublin Area in 2006 was 1.66 million people, an increase of
8.4% in 4 years. The Dublin and the Mid-East Regional Authorities though a Regional
Planning Guideline office, co-ordinate and monitor the review and updating of the
Planning Guidelines; which are adopted by elected representatives from across the
Greater Dublin Area. The current Regional Guidelines were adopted in 2004 and run
until 2016; but are subject to a full mid-term review which is to be completed in 2010.
This review provides the opportunity to refine and re-direct elements of the Guidelines to
take account of new issues and pressures on spatial planning in or impacting on the
Greater Dublin Area in regional, national and European context.
Areas of Interest:
Key areas of interest to the Regional Planning Guidelines office reflect issues of
importance in the upcoming review process and which will feed into spatial policy
decisions regarding the direction the new revised Guidelines will take.
1. Topic: Impact on climate change on future settlement patterns and transport
corridors.
For the Greater Dublin Area, spatial planning policy in recent years has been
directing new housing and commercial activities towards nodes along existing and
planned rail based networks. The Greater Dublin Area is bound to the east by lowlying coastline and large areas of land in the Regions are characterised by river
valleys and associated catchments. Taking into account climate change impact over
long term time horizons such as 100 years could have significant impact on decisions
regarding landuse and transport planning in guiding infrastructure investment and
deciding areas for population expansion and development.
2. Topic: Sustainable Energy Supply and Networks
The Greater Dublin Area is the core area of economic activity in Ireland, containing
the capital city and associated governance, major financial institutions and a high
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number of IT focussed and service industries all of which place significant demands
on energy supply. With over 39% of the population of the country living inside the
Greater Dublin Area, domestic demand is significant. Currently the electricity grid
network is under pressure to accommodate new renewable sources such as wind
energy which are more commonly located in locations away from the areas of highest
demand. At present both Regional Authorities are looking the possibility of working
with Sustainable Energy Ireland (state body charged with promoting renewables) at
developing a sustainable energy plan for the Greater Dublin Area. By engaging in a
research project which allows for a European wide focus for solutions to regional and
local area challenges it presents the opportunity for clear and practical
recommendations and policy decisions to be made on the back of integrated vision.
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