The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has tasked the International Centre for Local and Regional Development (ICLRD) with investigating the evolution of cross-border co-operation and potential divergence in spatial planning policy on the island of Ireland since Brexit
The research will investigate the alignment or divergence of the policies in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, including their spatial strategies, as well as the impact of the Framework for Co-operation on spatial planning, policy coordination, and cross-border collaboration.
The findings will be presented at the RTPI NI Annual Conference and the UK-Ireland Planning Research Conference in September, both held in Belfast.
The study is being led by the director of ICLRD, Caroline Creamer, who said: “Building on the extensive ICLRD research to date, we are excited to be working with the RTPI to explore this important topic.
“It is timely to examine the changing policy landscape and capture stakeholder perspectives on the impact and currency not only of the respective spatial strategies in informing the strategic direction of planning practice but also of the Framework for Co-operation in enhancing and enabling cross-border collaboration to the benefit of all communities and the island of Ireland as a whole.”
A decade of planning policy changes in Ireland
The research follows a decade of significant shifts in planning policies throughout Ireland.
In 2012, Northern Ireland devolved planning powers to local councils and introduced revisions to the Regional Development Strategy, followed by the Review of Public Administration in 2014.
In 2013, a joint-government document, titled “Framework for Co-operation: Spatial Strategies of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland,” was published, outlining a framework for enhanced collaboration in spatial planning within the public service.
UK and Ireland fire safety standards
Yesterday, the Belfast Group was established – bringing together the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI), the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS), the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the Royal Society of Architects in Wales (RSAW) and the Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA).
This group will enhance cooperation across the UK and Ireland to improve and ensure that national boundaries do not hinder fire safety standards, and that architects in all regions are equally competent.
A joint statement from the Belfast Group said: “The Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report makes clear that more is required to ensure our buildings are as safe as possible.
“This is relevant for every architect. While each jurisdiction has its own regulatory framework, there are core competencies on designing for life safety that transcend political boundaries and project typologies.
“Therefore, the Belfast Group will share best practice, knowledge and information in design standards for life safety. This coordination will ensure that appropriate training and competency standards are implemented across each nation.
“We continue to work with our relevant governments to ensure that our members have access to all the regulations, standards and technical information they need whilst also providing guidance to clients on how to support the procurement and resourcing of projects, so life safety is at the heart of the appointment process.
“These steps will help deliver safer buildings for all.”
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