Kildare 2012 - An Economic, Social and Cultural Strategy
Regional Co-ordination
The position and role of Kildare in the Greater Dublin Area and the Mid East Region is an important element in the future development of the county. Our closeness to Dublin and the strength that can be drawn or by co-operating with our neighbouring counties are advantages to be capitalised on. During the consultation process discussions were held with the County Development Boards in neighbouring counties to seek ways to promote regional approaches to the future development of the region.
During the 1990s the pressures experienced in Kildare, in particular the influence of Dublin and its consequences on our physical and social infrastructure, were similar to those in Meath and Wicklow. The south and west of the county remained predominantly rural and agricultural and so has much in common with the neighbouring counties of Offaly, Laois and Carlow. The range of common links and solutions to shared issues available through adopting a regional approach are significant.
The number of initiatives and plans to promote regional development is increasing. The most important of these initiatives are the Strategic Planning Guidelines (SPGs) which govern major planning and infrastructural developments in the Greater Dublin Area, the National Spatial Strategy (NSS) and the proposed Greater Dublin Land Use and Transportation Authority.
Kildare, Meath and Wicklow are clearly recognised in the SPGs as hinterland areas of Dublin and as areas that require specific types of infrastructural development to cope with the influence of Dublin. The NSS due for publication in 2002 set out a 20 year plan for spatial development in the country. It will set out the key areas for different types of development and identify a number of ‘gateways’, or towns and functional areas to be developed as service centres for the local region. These initiatives will provide scope for increased regional development as the common issues and shared challenges faced by different counties become more evident.
KCDB will respond to these and other emerging policy developments, including any regional development mechanism that might emerge. The Board will build into its Action Plan any responses that may be necessary to ensure that the objectives set out in this strategy are met.
Achieving Regional Co-ordination
Wider common regional issues will require on-going co-ordination between the County Development Boards within the Greater Dublin Area and also between KCDB and its counterparts in the neighbouring counties in the South East and Midland regions. It will also be necessary to give attention to the best method of working with those agencies, including Government Departments, configured at the regional and national level.
As many of the agreed issues require input from the regional and national levels, KCDB in cooperation with other relevant CDBs will establish a mechanism to effectively interact with those agencies configured at regional and national levels. The regional network of the Directors of Community and Enterprise of the seven County and City Development Boards and the Directors of the Mid East and Dublin Regional Authorities will continue to meet to oversee joint action and regional approaches.
The Director of Community and Enterprise in Kildare will also liase on an individual or joint basis with the Directors in neighbouring counties to ensure that there is a co-ordinated approach to the implementation of actions. This will maximise the benefits for each county, lead to a better use of resources and avoid unnecessary duplication.
Common Issues for Consideration
A number of common issues have already emerged during consultation and will be referred to the regional network as potential joint actions:
- Tracking Regional Strategic and National Spatial Strategy issues
- Monitor and review the implementation of programmes and strategies related to the provision of economic, social, cultural and environmental infrastructures
- Monitor and review the implementation of strategies to improve access to social and cultural facilities and amenities throughout the region and also in neighbouring counties
- Support for a regional and county approach to inward investment
- Investigate the feasibility of enhancing the provision of lifelong learning opportunities at strategic locations throughout the region by using out-reach facilities linked to Higher Education Institutions
- Promote stronger linkages between Higher Education Institutions and businesses in the region
- Assess and monitor the impacts of the expansion of the Dublin metropolitan area on the surrounding countryside, especially the impact on agricultural land
- Promote regional tourism itineraries and encourage co-operation between County Tourism Committees/bodies
- Promote the region as a multiple centre functional area that can support internationallycompetitive manufacturing and service industries at a number of strategic locations
- Build on the experience gained from the SRUNA project to devise a regional strategy for recreation and leisure
- Promote harmonisation of administrative boundaries by all agencies
- Promote a co-ordinated approach to the collection and analysis of data required for monitoring and evaluation of the CDB strategies.
- Create and maintain a regional geographical information system as a planning tool and also as a means of sharing information between agencies and with the general public
