Government Policy on Architecture 2009 – 2015 - Department of Arts ...

4.2 Supporting Sustainable Place-making in the Planning ProcessWithin the overall process of sustainable place-making, the boundaries, insights and perspectivesof various disciplines necessarily and frequently over-lap. This process will take account ofthe economic, planning, architectural, engineering, environmental, landscape and communitydevelopment challenges that need to be addressed. Successful place-making depends on theoverlaps between such disciplines as engineering, planning and architecture being managed andled effectively. Section 6 below, dealing with the implementation of this <strong>Policy</strong> on Architecture, setsout other proposals on how integration can be advanced over the target period. Good practicealso requires that planning authorities continue to devote the necessary resources to, and placehigh importance on, the achievement of sustainable communities and high quality development in:i preparing well considered and comprehensive plans, in line with national policy and guidancefor cities, counties, towns and local areas;ii facilitating proper pre-planning application consultation processes as well as appraisal anddecision-making on planning applications; andiii carrying out enforcement activity as required.In this regard, the quality of the public realm is of particular importance. It is essential that bothstatutory and non-statutory plans take adequate account of existing design guidance.<strong>Government</strong> policy will seek to encourage urban design that is community centred and that usesthe lessons of the past in making use of design strategies that avoid anti-social behaviour andvandalism. Such a strategy involves re-design and retro-fitting of the urban built environment inRAPID 25 (Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development) residential areas to makethem more conducive to community life and to reduce anti-social behaviour.The Rural Development Programme 2007-13 18 includes specific measures for the conservationand upgrading of our rural heritage. The White Paper on Rural Development – Ensuring the Future- A Strategy for Rural Development in Ireland 19 commits the <strong>Government</strong> to striving to achieve arural Ireland in which “there will be vibrant sustainable communities with the range of age, incomeand occupational groups, such as to allow them to adapt to on-going economic, social, culturaland environmental change and to enjoy a standard of living which will make them attractivecommunities in which to live and work”.42 <strong>Government</strong> <strong>Policy</strong> on Architecture 2009 – 2015