“Key Role for Planners in Developing the Smart Economy” – National Planning Conference to hea
Monday, March 29, 2010
The role planning and local government can play in developing Ireland’s “smart” economy will be discussed at the National Planning Conference which takes place in Tullamore, Co Offaly, on April 15th and 16th.
The conference, organised by the Irish Planning Institute (IPI), will also explore how planning can help in finding solutions to Ghost Estates and empty buildings.
New Minister of State for Planning, Mr. Ciaran Cuffe TD, will outline his views on planning when he delivers the keynote address in one of his first public engagements at the conference, it has been confirmed.
The Minister, who also has responsibility for sustainable travel and horticulture, is a qualified planner and architect and lectured in urban planning at the Dublin Institute of Technology, Bolton Street, before being elected to the Dail for Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown.
“We are delighted that our conference in Tullamore on April 15th and 16th will be one of Minister Cuffe’s first public engagements since taking office and all the more so because of his background in planning,” said IPI President, Mr. Gerry Sheeran.
The theme of this year’s National Planning Conference is “Planning for a Smarter Ireland” and will also hear presentations on:
• The role of Local Government in developing smarter communities
• Capturing Innovation and Promoting Enterprise: A New Role for Planning
• Implementing the Green New Deal and Promoting Sustainable Recovery
• Smarter Communities: Key issues in Property Development and Transport
• Solutions to “Ghost Estates” and Empty Buildings: The Planner’s Perspective and
• What is the future for Town Centres?
“This is a very relevant theme at this time in our economy”, said Mr. Sheeran, “In the aftermath of the economic crisis and the bad decisions which led us here, the need for good planning is more evident than ever.
The National Planning Conference is the most important and influential annual forum for discussing planning and development issues in Ireland, and this year’s event promises to provide two days of stimulating and highly-engaging debate and discussion.
The conference runs from Thursday, April 15th to April 16th in the Tullamore Court Hotel, Tullamore, Co Offaly. Further information from http://www.irishplanninginstitute.ie or call 01-878 8630.
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Issued on behalf of the IPI by Tony O’Brien Communications - 087.2438 584