ICBAN Spatial Planning Initiative

1
ICBAN Spatial Planning Initiative Introduction
and Overview Caitriona Mullan, Programme
Manager for Strategic Development ICBAN December
2006 www.icban.com
2
Context (Policy)

• European Spatial Development Perspective (EDSP)
• National Spatial Strategy (RoI) and Regional
  Development Strategy (NI)
• Non-statutory spatial planning framework for
  cross-border areas
• National Development Plan 2007-13 (RoI)
• Opportunities in NI Context
• Requirement for complementary strategic concept
  for ICBAN Region
• Acknowledgement of distinctive nature of ICBAN
  region and need to consult
• EU Territorial Agenda and Subsidiarity Principle

3
Context (immediate)

• Drafting of Territorial Co-operation Programme
  07-13
• SEUPB framework
• Interreg Partnerships Joint Submission (work
  ongoing, detailed consultations with ICBAN member
  Councils in January/February)
• Opportunity for targeted proposals cognate with
  national and regional strategies to ensure
  maximum impact of ERDF and ESF resources in the
  region 07-13
• Potential for evolved role of Cross-Border
  Groups- more strategic

4
ICBAN Spatial Planning Initiative

• ICBAN region represents large portion of border
  corridor territory
• Not just about land use
• Requirement for overall strategic framework for
  region to inform co-ordinated targeting of
  investments (ERDF and Exchequer) identification
  of key infrastructure and complementary needs in
  this context
• Partnership with central government- Regular
  liaison with RDS and NSS Units Belfast and Dublin
• Interest in a process involving cross-sectoral
  buy-in at early stages within the region, and in
  role of ICBAN as facilitator of this- brokerage
  role
• ICLRD have been supporting from technical
  perspective and seeking to link their research
  priorities to support ICBAN process
• Establishment of planners grouping an initial
  step- (group includes DRD/DOEHLG and ICLRD)
• Widening of discussions from December onwards-
  Development Directors/Economic Development
  Officers (NI), Community and Enterprise
  Directors/Officers (RoI)
• Use of BEAN (network launched from JUD Programme)
  as consultative mechanism for wider discussions
• Engagement of Economic Development Agencies and
  Private Sector

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What does the initiative need to identify?

• Overall concept which is inclusive of
  characteristics of ICBAN region- physical,
  economic, social and which has buy-in
• Future functionality of ICBAN region in island
  context (Chris Boomer presentation and
  discussion)
• Putting flesh on the bones of the concept
• Key infrastructural investments which fit with
  the regions spatial strategic context e.g.
  roads, waterways, air access, infrastructure for
  processing fuel crops
• Complementary development programmes and
  formation of action networks to support physical
  infrastructure investments e.g. development
  programme to maximise potential of Ulster Canal,
  area-based capacity building for agricultural
  sector re. renewables collaborative networks re.
  local service delivery
• Identification of key subregional clusters,
  functions and areas including specific functions
  and needs of gateways to the region (e.g. Omagh,
  Sligo, Cavan, Dungannon etc)

6
Who needs to be engaged in the process,
cross-border?

• Planning Services
• Local Government Economic and Rural Development
  officials
• Economic Development Agencies
• Private Sector
• Third Level Sector
• Health Services to ensure complementarity and
  cross-referencing where community impact in
  question
• Community and Voluntary Sector (BEAN as
  mechanism)
• Other interest and lobby groups e.g. ICBAN Roads
  Working Group) Ulster Canal grouping

7
Potential of the Process

• Strategic and co-ordinated regional case for
  exchequer and ERDF funded infrastructural
  investments in ICBAN region which is backed by
  Local Government and acknowledged by Central
  Government
• Development of networks and awareness to support
  complementary development activities
• Creation of co-ordinated responses to imperatives
  for new structures for Rural Development Funds
  (post-LEADER), Peace III (esp. Cross-Border
  measure), Territorial Co-operation Programme
  (successor to Interreg IIIa)
• Ability to strategically target funds within the
  above programmes to support overall development
  of region and its constituent areas- clear
  objectives, economies of scale, networking
• Ability to strategically target additional EU
  programmes such as Northern Periphery Programme

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Thank you for your attention

• Further queries
• Caitriona Mullan at ICBAN
• Caitriona_at_icban.com
• Office 028/48 66 340710
• Mobile (44) (0) 779 3041351