Planning for Sustainable Development Urban Development Conference 2019 Planning for Sustainable Development John O’Connor Chief Executive 21st February 2019

National Planning Framework Compact Growth Focus on Compact Growth Targeting a greater proportion (40%) of future housing development to be within and close to the existing ‘footprint’ of built-up areas. Better use of “infill”, “brownfield” and publicly owned sites Vacant and under-occupied buildings Higher housing and jobs densities

National Planning Framework Compact Growth “In the long term, meeting Ireland’s development needs in housing, employment, services and amenities on mainly greenfield locations will cost at least twice that of a compact growth based approach” Based on research from Property Council of Australia and Victoria Transfer Policy Institute

National Development Plan Sets out the investment priorities for the National Planning Framework Strategic outcome 1 is compact growth Aims to secure the sustainable growth of more compact urban and rural settlements supported by jobs, houses, services and amenities, rather than continued sprawl and unplanned, uneconomic growth.

Why aren’t we getting it? Source CSO, 2018

What is Compact Growth? Creating a critical mass and scale of housing in urban areas Better public and sustainable transport Better services and amenities Creating more attractive areas for people to live and work in

Demographics in Ireland Ireland’s population: 2016 = 4.47 million 2040 = 5.63 million Over 1.5 million adults in Ireland will be aged over 65 by 2051 – largest area of population growth What types of homes should we be building for this new population? https://www.cso.ie/en/csolatestnews/pressreleases/2018pressreleases/pressstatementpopulationandlabourforceprojections2017-2051/

Household Size 75% of all households are of 3 people or less 25% are 1 person 31% are 2 person 19% are 3 person

Home Ownership vs Renting Traditionally Ireland has prioritised home ownership In 1991, 91% of private homes were owner occupied By 2016 this had fallen to 78% nationally and 59% in urban areas Rental results in more efficient use of housing stock and resources

Importance of Densification 1.3 million people live in 600km2 1.3 million people live in 900km2 Dublin has capacity for 300,000 people on existing zoned land at existing heights/ densities 6 storey cost optimal Source, Orla Hegarty, UCD

Population Density 1986 Source, ESRI 2018 https://www.esri.ie/system/files/media/file-uploads/2018-01/RS70.pdf (page 49) Source, ESRI 2018

Population Density 2016 Source, ESRI 2018 https://www.esri.ie/system/files/media/file-uploads/2018-01/RS70.pdf (page 50) Source, ESRI 2018

Population Density 2041 Source, ESRI 2018 https://www.esri.ie/system/files/media/file-uploads/2018-01/RS70.pdf (page 51) Source, ESRI 2018

Case Study Magee Barracks, Kildare Construction of 264 no. residential units 86% of all units proposed are three bed or larger properties. 63% of the properties are semi-detached in nature Neighbourhood centre/3 no. retail units/Childcare facility Slides from Sarah

Magee Barracks Slides from Sarah

Magee Barracks An Bord Pleanala - Inspector's Report June 2018 "The NPF recognises that currently, 7 out 10 households in the State consist of three people or less, with an average household size of 2.75 people. This is expected to decline to around 2.5 people per household by 2040. […] Going forward smaller homes will be required to cater for people of varying household sizes and as proposed, this proposal is not addressing this.“ Slides from Sarah

Magee Barracks An Bord Pleanala - Inspector's Report June 2018 "significant issue of unit type/mix" "In my mind, the provision of four different types of three-bed unit is not the same as providing a greater unit mix." "86% of all units proposed are three-bed units or greater. Only 4% of proposed units are one-bed, all of which are being allocated to Part V. In addition to this, almost 63% of all units are semidetached in nature, with all houses having a floor area of 109m² or 135m². " "I consider this to be an inadequate response" "I recommend a refusal of permission" Slides from Sarah

Geneva UN Charter on Sustainable Housing 2015 Ensure access to decent, adequate, affordable and healthy housing for all

Planning for Sustainable Development Change is needed Ireland can’t afford to build any more one off houses – for the sake of sustainability, our villages and our arable land Not sustainable or desirable for everyone to live in low density housing We must provide housing that meets the needs of our population, at all stages of their lives Photo – Ardee, Co. Louth

Planning for Sustainable Development We need to think of our legacy to our children and the needs of future generations Decision-makers need to make hard choices

Planning for Sustainable Development

Thank You Tel: +353 1 656 4100 E-mail: info@housingagency.ie