CENTRE for CROSS BORDER STUDIES

The benefits of harmonising cross-border planning in specific regions along the Irish border is something that has already been recognised by both administrations (e.g. in the North-West Gateway initiative). On a small island like Ireland the complexity of spatial planning – and its relationship with economic development, social policy and infrastructure – is increased by the border’s existence. In the next five years local authorities in Northern Ireland and the Southern border region will have to take on extra responsibilities for planning under the Reform of Public Administration in the North and new regional planning guidelines in the South.

The Centre and its sister organisation, the International Centre for Local and Regional Development (ICLRD) will bring together a network (CroSPLaN) of planners, housing providers, economic development officers, local officials and councillors, and community and business interests on both sides of the border to promote more systematic learning and exchange in planning. The ICLRD will lead a three year programme consisting of the following:  

Two action research projects per year Two executive training programmes per year for local councillors, officials and other local leaders One technical workshop per year One annual conference

The 2009 action research projects will explore the impact of local government reform in the North and new planning legislation in the South on cross-border planning; and the comparable experience in cross-border planning of local and regional authorities elsewhere in Europe. Other research areas to be covered in future years could include sustainable rural transport; mapping spatial indicators; understanding travel-to-work patterns; land and property markets; joint management of the environment, including waste management; the regeneration of marginalised areas; and comparative emergency planning.

See the first Progress Report.