Connecting rural dwellings with rural development

Transcription

1 Connecting rural dwellings with rural development Dr Mark Scott Department of Planning and Environmental Policy University College Dublin

2 Introduction Growing emphasis in the EU is being given to the objectives of rural sustainable development Reconciling 3 deeply held set of values: economic growth; social vitality; ecological integrity Shift in rural policy from sectoral support policies (agriculture) to integrated, territorial and spatial development However, rural sustainable development remains a deeply contested area of policy formulation

3 Introduction At present there exists a vexed relationship between planning policy and many rural communities Managing rural housing is a complex and multi-dimensional issue Issues: Distribution and intensity Siting and design issues Environmental costs Public health and safety Infrastructural implications Settlement patterns and community vitality

4 Introduction Presentation will examine linkages between 2 spatially defined policy instruments, which are both concerned with delivering rural sustainable development: Local rural development strategies Statutory land-use planning Limited integration of processes and goals Disconnect between physical and environmental goals and social and economic issues Impact of new governance initiatives

5 Presentation outline University College Dublin Rural governance and the regulation of rural space The role of planning in managing rural spatial change Local case studies and research findings Policy development and conclusions

6 Rural governance and the regulation of rural space Local rural development in 1990s: Area-based, community-driven, integrative Partnership governance Public policy commitment to sustainable rural development Republic of Ireland: Rural Development White Paper Northern Ireland: Rural Development Programme Strategy

7 Rural governance and the regulation of rural space Fundamental changes have taken place in Europe s rural economy and society (Marsden, 1999): The decline in agricultural employment The emergence of environmentalism as a powerful ethic and political force Emergence of new uses for rural space Increased personal mobility commuting, migration, tourism The emergence of new winners and losers from change processes social exclusion Shift from productivist to post-productivist era The consumption countryside

8 Rural governance and the regulation of rural space The role of planning policy in managing rural spatial change In theory, development plans could provide a key statutory framework for rural development programmes: Allocation of resources receptive to the plight of rural areas Public participation and consensus-driven strategies Mediate between conflicting conservation and development goals Place-making Involvement of elected representatives

9 Map 1: Case study areas University College Dublin Local case studies Donegal Co Mayo & Co Donegal Northern Ireland Sligo Monaghan Leitrim Mayo Cavan Roscommon Louth Longford Meath Galway Westmeath Clare Offaly Laois Dublin Kildare Wicklow Carlow Limerick Tipperary Kilkenny Wexford Kerry Cork Waterford

10 Local case studies University College Dublin Research approach Inter-related topics Framing rural problems/issues Policy outcomes The statutory Development Plan as an arena for policymaking The Development Plan as a tool for rural sustainable development Policy coordination

11 1. Framing rural problems/issues Planning policy: Central theme: landscape quality Constant threat from inappropriate pressures Linked to the tourism economy Local development perspective on landscape: Landscape protection aimed at tourists, not locals Living and working countryside Conflict over new demands for rural space (residential versus recreation uses) Local development - Central narrative of the rural Depopulation and out-migration

12 1. Framing rural problems/issues Conflicting constructions of rurality Pro Conservation Productivist space Place of consumption tourists Landscape Vernacular house design Landscape and heritage Positive urban imagery Pro Development Post productivist space Place of consumption residents Social space Modern house design Rural living and national identity Negative urban imagery

13 2. Policy outcomes University College Dublin Tensions in policy goals related to framing of rural issues Local development interests: Countering out-migration provided the key policy direction Planning policy described as a barrier to local development Planners and rural housing: In one example, the Draft plan contained policies for restricting housing in the countryside in favour of clusters and villages Restrictive policies replaced by more liberal guidelines in final plan pressure from councillors In second example, rural housing policy is based solely on landscape considerations Perceived urban bias of planning officials

14 3. The Development Plan as an arena for policy-making Development plan process as an arena for developing rural sustainable development goals? Community meetings Non-attendance of key stakeholders Style of meetings Councillor involvement

15 4. The Development Plan as a tool for rural sustainable development Majority of local development programmes had a clear spatial emphasis, however The local authority development plan viewed as irrelevant Development plan perceived as a negative and technical document and as a regulatory instrument Conflict between environmental goals and social and economic development e.g. rural housing Marginalisation of planning: Limited spatial vision Preoccupation with incremental development Muddling through

16 5. Policy coordination University College Dublin New local governance structures Strategic Policy Committees (local government) Low profile and limited commitment Unclear role County Development Boards High profile Extensive strategic planning process Environmental dimension largely ignored Limited integration with development plan Disconnect between spatial/physical/environmental objectives and social/economic/cultural goals

17 Policy development University College Dublin Recognise that non-agricultural interests have moved central in shaping rural space Contrasting narratives of the rural key to policy development Developing holistic approaches to rural sustainable development A need to consider the economic and social health of rural settlements as aspects of sustainability alongside environmental dimensions Social vitality/sustainable livelihoods/employment-led regeneration Addressing the disconnect between environmental and spatial goals and economic and social issues in local policy making

18 Policy development University College Dublin Developing interactive styles of statutory plan-making Developing and supporting innovative approaches to community participation Planning in partnership with rural communities Consensus-driven development strategies Environmental management rather than development control An evidence-based approach to policy development Policy debate has been undertaken in the absence of any research or limited empirical understanding of key issues Economic, environmental or community impacts

19 Final thoughts: University College Dublin A productivist to a post-productivist era in the countryside Public policy commitment to ensuring vibrant sustainable rural communities (Rural White Paper) rural development context for settlement planning Misleading to portray a singular rural housing debate Planning policy viewed as a technical and regulatory instrument, with planners as gatekeepers of change in rural areas Addressing research deficit should be a key priority Rural planning encompasses more than one-off housing!