Project
Supported by Tipperary Energy Agency and involving the participation of several communities across Ireland already engaged in action. This research aims to examine polices at both the EU and national level which have either helped or hindered SUD programmes in terms of: the role of government; unintended legal, financial or regulatory barriers; planning regulations which may restrict action; and the financial resources available to communities. Information gathered will be used to develop a support tool for communities seeking to implement SUD actions. Results will also be used to form the basis for reasoned policy recommendations at local and national government levels.
Ireland may fail to meet future greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets without significant change to current policies and actions. A growing population, increasing urbanisation and the physical effects of climate change have led to calls for the provision of more housing, necessary infrastructure support, and adaptation measures to combat extreme weather conditions. The background to this research is that well planned Sustainable Urban Development (SUD) helps to achieve national environmental policy targets. While communities in many other countries have implemented and achieved both environmental and socio-economic gains from well-planned SUD, Irish communities have largely not done so.
Irish Research Council and Tipperary Energy Agency
This project has been passed by the UL Ethics Committee and follows all ethical protocols associated with participant research. Evaluation of the project is conducted annually, with twice annual progress reports submitted to the funding body. Peer reviewed publications are planned at the end of years one and two. A full report of the results obtained will be published at the conclusion of the project during winter 2018.
Research
Well planned Sustainable Urban Development (SUD) helps to achieve national environmental policy targets. While communities in many other countries have implemented and achieved both environmental and socio-economic gains from well-planned SUD, Irish communities have largely not done so. This research aims to examine polices at both the EU and national level which have either helped or hindered SUD programmes in terms of: the role of government; unintended legal, financial or regulatory barriers; planning regulations which may restrict action; and the financial resources available to communities. This research will also examine the motivation factors of communities successfully engaged in SUD, and the contribution of community action to greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.
The aim of this project is to develop a comprehensive interactive decision support tool to incentivise and facilitate Irish communities in implementing SUD programmes which are capable of qualifying for international accreditation. The principal context for this research is that well planned SUD helps to achieve national environmental policy targets. Communities in Europe, USA and the developing world have implemented ambitious SUD programmes which have resulted in much greater environmental and socio-economic gains. Whereas, Irish communities have largely have not taken advantage of opportunities offered by SUD. More sustainable communities in the EU have gained certification to schemes such as the European Energy Award and Covenant of Mayors. This recognition is important in accessing finance, acknowledging progress made, and providing incentives for further SUD actions.
This project has been passed by the UL Ethics Committee and follows all ethical protocols associated with participant research. Evaluation of the project is conducted annually, with twice annual progress reports submitted to the funding body. Peer reviewed publications are planned at the end of years one and two. A full report of the results obtained will be published at the conclusion of the project during winter 2018.
Resources
