This years IPI National Planning Conference "Innovation in Practice - Reshaping Irish Planning" took place in Galway City on the 5th & 6th of May. Minister of State for Planning & Housing, Willie Penrose, launched the conference with an opening address, which acknowledged the enormous responsibilities faced by those in the planning profession in overcoming the current economic challenges. Commenting on the themes to be addressed in this year’s conference the Minister stated that it was encouraging that the IPI shared his focus on how we can build on the current planning system.
This year’s conference covered an array of topics, exploring the concept of the newly introduced ‘core strategies’ and their legal implications presented by Dr Berna Grist to exploring the value of place presented by Edinburgh’s City Design Leader, Riccardo Marini.
A revised format was introduced in 2011 whereby parallel sessions were provided on both afternoons to suit the different interests of delegates attending the conference. The format on Day 1 provided presentations on environmental considerations in Irish Planning, relating to quarries, hydrogeology and the implications of the Habitats Directive. The alternative option focused on the theme of the Public Realm & Place-making with impressive case studies of public realm projects undertaken across Ireland presented by The Paul Hogarth Company & the Titanic Quarter Regeneration Project presented by Turley & Associates.
The morning session of Day 2 of the Conference included a presentation on practical approaches towards resolving the problems associated with unfinished housing estates across the Country. This was followed with a presentation by John O’Connor, Chairperson of An Bord Pleanala, where he reviewed his term with the Board and outlined lessons to be learnt for planning in the future.
The afternoon format on the final day of the Annual Conference provided the option for a walking tour of Galway City or a panel discussion on the topic entitled “Future Planning in Ireland – is it time for Radical Change”. Chaired by Frank McDonald, Environmental Editor of the Irish Times, the panel included Conor Skehan from DIT Planning School, former Minister for Planning Ciaran Cuffe & Sinead Carr, Director of Services, South Tipperary County Council. Issues put forward from the floor for discussion by the panel included one-housing in the countryside and employment prospects for planning graduates in Ireland.