International Centre for Local and Regional Development
Caroline Creamer, Researcher, NIRSA, NUI Maynooth
(Deputy Director, ICLRD)
Presentation to the Regional Assemblies
8th May 2013, NUI Maynooth
The ICLRD: Promoting All-Island, Regional, Local and Cross-
Border Collaboration in Spatial Planning
1. The ICLRD• Dynamic and decentralised network
- cross-border, cross-campus, cross-disciplinary
• Working together since 2003; Legally incorporated in 2006
• An all-island platform- independent, expert, joined-up research- capacity building on spatial planning & local and regional development- bridging information deficits.
• Aims to build strategic planning capacity through:
- fundamental and applied research- fostering collaboration among key stakeholders - advising policy-makers and practitioners - training public/private sector practitioners
in good practice – nationally & internationally
4 Partner Institutes + Associates
2. Research: Responding to the Policy-Practice Divide
2. Research: An All-Island Focus
• Commissioned by InterTradeIreland
• Led to development of Cooperation Framework by DRD and DoECLG (currently in draft)
• Environment identified as a core area for enhanced cooperation, N & S
2. Research: A Cross-Border Agenda• Considers the implications of the proposed
governance and spatial planning reforms in both jurisdictions on future collaboration
• Published 2010 : pre-’Putting People First’ • Yet, opportunities and challenges identified
still stand
- greater alignment of functions at local
government level ....opportunities to enhance
cooperation
- need to embrace the movement of people,
goods and services across the border...in
fact, take steps to make more fluid
- achieving efficiency agendas....but shouldn’t
be the only driver of reform!
2. Research: The International Dimension
• Elbe International River Basin District & Connecticut River Basin
• Using regulatory and non-regulatory measures to integrate water quality improvements with regional land-use plans
- importance of negotiation and
engagement....not just compliance
- convergence of interests around
shared asset
2. Research to Action: Strategic Alliance between Newry & Mourne District Council & Louth Authorities
The sustained engagement through joint-studies, workshops, training and engaging policy and technical expertise led to a MOU for Cooperation in March 2011.
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3. Executive Training & Animation Programme• A Real Need! ... Must always
be the starting point• Training recognised as
integral element of the package of services on offer
- With emphasis on ‘part of’.....not stand alone!• Recognition that interventions
required at various scales of government ...and other sectors- Reform packages in both
jurisdictions demanding a new way of working, and
- Increased capacity...recognition of the need to do more with less!
Do you ever feel like this?
4. ICLRD’s Models of Executive Training
• Adjacency of Councils- Newry & Mourne with Louth Local Authorities
• Sub-Regional Agglomeration- Northwest Gateway
• Council Clusters- ICBAN (grouping 10 councils)
With further models being developed under new funding programme, CroSPlaN II.....
4. CroSPlaN II: An Overview• A 24 month project - 1st February 2013 to 31st January 2015
• Part of wider Centre for Cross Border Studies (CCBS) Project - Ireland-Northern Ireland Cross-Border Cooperation Observatory (INICCO II)
• Initiative aimed at increasing and strengthening cross-border
cooperation and responding to need for sustained support to
territorial cooperation in Irish border region• Three key elements: - Shared Services Programme
- Executive Training and Animation Programme
- Evidence-Based Planning (incl. data analysis and mapping)
• Total Budget of Stg£388,435.76
4. Other Aspects of ICLRD’s Work• Partnering with like-minded organisations• Networking – facilitating and nurturing connections
- North West Partnership Board (Derry & Donegal)
- Armagh & Monaghan Councils – developing an MOU
- Ongoing support to Newry/Mourne & Louth Local Authorities on MOU
-Supporting the three cross-border networks
• Hosting of conferences, seminars and technical
workshops• Briefing Paper Series• Annual Journal: Borderlands: The Journal of
SpatialPlanning in Ireland- Always looking for contributors!
5. Future Work Programmes• Sustainable Development (incl. environment)
- Resilient Communities
- Local Government: The REAL Cost of Decisions Made
- Shared Services
- Aligning Spatial Planning Policy with IRBDs Measures
• Spatial Planning- Developing Cross-Border Town Plan
- Planning for Kids
- All Island / All Active
• Evidence-Informed Planning- CroSPlaN II: All-Island Digital Atlas and All-Island Deprivation Index
• Networking / Soft Supports to Local and Regional
Government• Tailored Executive Training / Animation