Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas

Chapter 3 The role of design
Introduction
3.0 Ireland’s population is projected to grow to around 5.3 million by
20207. The majority of new households formed during that period
will need to be accommodated in urban areas, especially in the NSS
gateways and hubs. In order that cities and towns achieve the critical
mass required to sustain balanced regional development, they must
be capable of attracting both people and investment. The quality of
new residential development is central to the aim of creating
sustainable communities.
3.1 This chapter deals generally with the core principles of design and
the many strands of place-making, environmental responsibility,
social equity and economic viability that are required when creating
places of high quality and distinct identity. Design is about creating a
vision for an area and then deploying the skills and resources to
realise that vision. A key design aim in delivering sustainable
communities is the to reduce, as far as possible, the need to travel,
particularly by private car, by facilitating mixed-use development
and by promoting the efficient use of land and of investment in
public transport. Such policies will help to sustain viable local
services and employment.
3.2 Planning authorities should promote high quality design in their
policy documents and in their development management process;
practical steps are set out below. Clearly defined policies create more
certainty for potential developers and their design teams, and also
provide a basis for developing a shared, collaborative approach to
pre-application consultations with the planning authority. Design
needs to be applied by skilled practitioners, and planning authorities
are encouraged to provide suitable training opportunities for relevant
staff.
3.3 The companion design manual shows how design principles can be
applied in the design and layout of new residential developments, at
7 DoEHLG Circular SP1/07 to local authorities “National Population Projections and
Regional Population Targets 2006-2020” (February 2007)
15
Planning Guidelines