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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

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

7. 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

8. 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?

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Population Density 1986 Source, ESRI 2018
(page 49)
Source, ESRI 2018

13. Population Density 2016 Source, ESRI 2018
(page 50)
Source, ESRI 2018

14. Population Density 2041 Source, ESRI 2018
(page 51)
Source, ESRI 2018

15. 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

16. Magee Barracks
Slides from Sarah

17. 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 […] 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

18. 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

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

20. 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

21. 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

22. Planning for Sustainable Development

23. Thank You
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