Design and Regeneration

Closed24 Jun, 2020, 12:30pm - 20 Aug, 2020, 5:00pm
The County Development Plan will seek to promote architecture and design which complements and reinforces the existing character of our towns, villages and rural landscapes. The creation of more sustainable communities and vibrant centres will also be achieved with an increased focus on renewal and regeneration of vacant, derelict and brownfield sites throughout the county.

Streetscape

Urban Design

Through the planning process, local authorities have a key role to play in relation to the formation of the built environment. Urban design is essentially a tool to assist in the craft of creating quality urban spaces; it is about how buildings are put together to shape and enliven our streets and civic spaces. Good urban design includes;

  1. Respecting the character of an area;
  2. Creating a clear distinction between public and private open space and ensuring that public areas are suitably supervised by adjoining buildings;
  3. Ensuring the area is permeable and connected to adjoining areas / services;
  4. Facilitate diversity in terms of uses and appearance;
  5. Facilitate longevity and adaptability; and
  6. Encourage visual identity and interest.

Barrow Weir

The County Development Plan will incorporate urban design principles which seek to ensure that:

  • Development is based on the concept of integrating and consolidating existing town / village cores;
  • Sustainable urban expansions are provided where necessary;
  • Development of derelict (brownfield) and key infill/gap sites within the vicinity of the core areas of towns and villages is prioritised;
  • The physical environment and streetscape is enhanced; and
  • Vibrant zones of activity are created.

The urban design approach will seek to realise the full potential of the inherent character of Carlow’s towns and villages.

Rural Design

Rural design is mostly manifested in terms of single dwellings in the countryside. Rural house design needs to recognise and respond to the character of the environment, by being guided by landscape, environmental and design considerations. Architecturally, rural housing should respond to a specific site and area, embrace what is good about traditional rural design and deliver this in a contemporary form. The forthcoming County Development Plan will incorporate Rural Design Guidelines to promote architecture and design which complements and reinforces existing character of the rural landscape. Guiding principles will be outlined to achieve good quality design and sustainable development in the rural countryside.

Regeneration

Regeneration and renewal are inherent in the proper planning and sustainable development of the county’s settlements. An emphasis on high quality and well-designed developments make places more attractive and in turn contributes to healthy place-making and quality of life. Urban place making is about improving the attractiveness of the public realm. An erosion of the sense of place can occur due to urban sprawl and the hollowing out of town centres due to a focus on the quantitative aspect of building outwards rather than the creation of sustainable communities. Placemaking is a people centred approach to the planning, design and management of all public spaces and areas including streets and thoroughfares. The quality of our built environment affects the quality of our living environment and is an important component in creating attractive vibrant spaces in our towns and villages.

In Carlow town the framework to facilitate and support the regeneration and renewal is being addressed through the preparation of the Carlow Town - Regeneration Vision and Implementation Strategy (RVIS). The strategy is being funded through the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) which is a flagship element of the National Planning Framework, Project Ireland 2040 which seeks to support more compact and sustainable development, through the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s five cities and other large towns. The RVIS aims to develop a detailed plan for a ‘Shared Vision’ for Carlow Town’s physical development over the next 20 years which is based on key economic development opportunities; urban spaces and amenities for all. The document once finalised will inform key policy directions for the future development of Carlow Town ensuring Carlow can deliver as a Key Town and a Regional Growth Driver.

Carlow County Council will seek to secure continued funding over the planned lifespan of the URDF to 2027 to help achieve a greater proportion of residential and mixed use development in the built up area, to improve the public realm and to create a more attractive and vibrant place in which people choose to live and work, as well as to invest and to visit.

Town and Village Development

The social and economic fabric of our towns and villages has changed significantly in the last 10 years. Retailing and in particular the way retail activities are conducted have changed with increasing pressure for ‘edge of centre’ development rather than reinvesting in the historic town / village centre. These issues coupled with high levels of vehicular traffic, vacancy levels, dereliction and unsympathetic shop fronts have had a negative impact on our towns and villages. The Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) for the Southern Regional Assembly has an impetus to strengthen the role of and improve quality of life in our diverse rural places and communities, valuing our rural areas as dynamic, resilient and outward looking areas of potential. Revitalising rural areas will be achieved through repurposing our small towns and villages and increased collaboration between networks of settlements. Sustainable rural communities are dependent on viable and vibrant towns and villages. Many rural areas of County Carlow have experienced population decline and reduced services negatively impacting on the viability of these areas into the future. The RSES recognises that in the absence of a targeted planning strategy and associated pro-active infrastructure and support actions, this decline will continue. Rural areas need diversity and innovativeness to ensure economic resilience and job creation. This requires an integrated approach to rural economic development, including support for public services.

Since 2016 Carlow County Council has benefited from over €1.76m of funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. The scheme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and is part of a package of national and local support measures to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. The scheme is specifically targeted at rural towns and villages with populations of less than 10,000. Various projects have been funded including infrastructure provision, community facilities, tourist projects etc. Carlow County Council will continue to seek funding which will have a positive impact on creating more sustainable and attractive towns and villages throughout the county.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  • How can the County Development Plan promote improvement in the quality of the built environment in urban and rural areas?
  • How can we make our towns and villages more attractive places to live in?
  • How can we sustain and improve service provision in our urban and rural areas?
  • How can we achieve higher quality rural housing design?
  • How can we achieve more sustainable design and efficient use of land?