National Spatial Strategy

The National Spatial Strategy 2002-2020 is a twenty year planning framework, with an aim of balancing social, economic and physical development in the Republic of Ireland.

Gateways and Hubs

The strategy seeks both to prevent the Greater Dublin Area becoming an area of problematic urban sprawl, and also to prevent rural areas becoming fragmented with scattered one-off housing. It does this by identifying various urban centres outside Dublin as foci for concentrated development, drawing this away from both Dublin and the rural areas. The report describes two tiers of regional centres: a few larger "Gateways" with smaller "Hubs" as more local foci. When the NSS was being developed, William Thomas proposed a brand new city in the west of the country, gaining some news coverage.^[1]

There was controversy over the selection of the Gateways and Hubs, with towns not selected feeling aggrieved. A notable innovation was the "Midland Gateway" comprising three of the midlands' larger towns. The intention was a polycentric model with some inspiration from the Triangle Region Denmark. The inclusion in the plan of Derry, which is across the border in Northern Ireland, was a reflection of improved cross-border co-operation in the wake of the Northern Ireland peace process.

Gateways

^[2]

• Cork
• Limerick—Shannon
• Galway
• Sligo
• Letterkenny—Derry
• Dundalk
• Dublin
• Tullamore—Athlone—Mullingar
• Waterford

Hubs

^[2]

• Tralee and Killarney
• Mallow
• Ennis
• Tuam
• Castlebar and Ballina
• Monaghan
• Cavan
• Kilkenny
• Wexford

Other aspects

Elements of the framework include Gocar, which is a carsharing system.

References

• (PDF) National Spatial Strategy for Ireland 2002 - 2020. Dublin: The Stationery Office. 2002. http://www.irishspatialstrategy.ie/pdfs/Completea.pdf. 

1. ^ Barry, Dan (19 July 2000). "Kilmovee Journal; The Gleam in an Irishman's Eye: An Emerald City". The New York Times: p. 4. http://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/19/world/kilmovee-journal-the-gleam-in-an-irishman-s-eye-an-emerald-city.html?pagewanted=1. Retrieved 19 May 2010. 
2. ^ ^{a b} NSS p.38

External links

• Irish Spatial Strategy; Irish National Spatial Strategy website