2020 Vision for Athy - Entire Document - Kildare.ie

8 ASSESSMENT OF VIABLE SCENARIOS
In Section 7 two out of six scenarios have been ruled out by way of assessing them in terms of their compliance
with the guiding principles. Scenario A, B, C and D are now further assessed against objectives 1-9 and 11.
Objectives 10 and 12 are assessed in Section 9 using the MEPLAN and SATURN modelling suites.
Each of the scenarios accommodates the following, as outlined in section 7.1:
• An urban population increase of 6,800
• 2,500 new households
• 6,700 new jobs
Each of the scenarios are based on the following land use assumptions:
Future Residential in Scenario A: Residential density of 30 units /ha as per the Town Development Plan
standards
Future Residential in Scenarios B, C and D: Residential density of 50 units/ha within 600m from town
centre and train station, residential density of 35units/ha outside these catchments
Future Commercial: Generally 50% retailing, 25% offices and 25% apartments
Future Low Density Employment: 60% industry and 40% warehousing
Future High Density Employment: Generally 50% offices, 25% industry and 35% warehousing
In addition each scenario was assessed by modelling the walking distances from the residential areas to the key trip
attractions. This assessment tool contributes in the selection of the preferred scenario or highlights elements of
particular scenarios based on penetration of the town and its facilities by sustainable modes of transport.
The modelling process works by calculating the distance from various residential areas to the town’s major trip
attractions. The major trip attractions include the commercial town centre, rail station, primary and secondary
schools and employment centres. These walking distances are then evaluated against the acceptable walking
distances to the various land uses. From this analysis the population living within acceptable walking distances of
the major trip attractions can be calculated and a comparison made as to the level of sustainability of each land use
scenario.
Table 8.1 below details the various walking distance thresholds for each of the land uses. These distances are based
in particular on guidance set out in ‘Guidelines for Providing for Journeys by Foot (2000)’ published by the
Institution of Highways and Transportation and also on the appreciation of the scale and layout of the Study Area.
It should be noted that the distances to the various trip attractions was measured from the centroid of the residential
land mass. Therefore, although on average the land mass may lie outside of the walking threshold, a significant
proportion may still lie within the acceptable or desirable distance to the trip attraction.
The descriptions of the viable scenarios are accompanied by maps illustrating the desirable and acceptable walking
distances from the town centre, schools and rail stations. On these maps the main residential areas are denoted as A
to H.
Athy IFPLUT Study 64 Final Report December 2004