Events

Dr Michael Murray Welcomes the conference delegates

This conference was organised as part of the SPAN EU INTERREG research project in which Queen’s is a partner.

For further information: Dr Michael Murray
School of Environmental Planning
Level 3 - David Keir Building
Stranmillis Road
Belfast

Conference Programme

Welcome and Introduction
Dr Michael Murray, School of Planning, Architecture & Civil Engineering, Queen’s University Belfast    

Contemporary changes in rural society & economy
Dr John McDonagh, National Universtiy of Ireland, Galway

To be more than a familar stranger- The Challenge for rural sustainability
Mark Allen, Rural Community Network

Regulatory planning and economic development in the countryside
Dr Michael Murray, School of Planning, Architecture & Civil Engineering, Queen’s University Belfast

Towards a research agenda for rural society & economy: the contribution of SPAN
Zita Murphy, Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, Belfast
David Meredith, Teagasc, Dublin

Conference Closes
Gareth Harper, Rural Community Network

Colm Bradley (CTA), Brendan Bartley (NUI-Maynooth), Michael Murray (QUB), Eric Bowles (Brecon Beacons Park) & Cliff Hague (Herriot-Watt) keynote speaker at the conference

The 4th Annual Rural Planning Conference on the theme of Participatory Planning, convened under the SPAN project, attracted some 100 delegates to the Senate Chamber at Queen’s University Belfast on 4th December 2007. Following an Introduction from Dr Michael Murray who provided a university perspective on rural studies, the conference heard from Professor Cliff Hague – Emeritus Professor of Planning at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. He covered the international context for participatory planning and discussed key developments in practice within Scotland. Brendan Bartley from NUI Maynooth and Colm Bradley from Community Technical Aid then reviewed the experience of participatory development plan preparation in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown and Northern Ireland respectively. In the afternoon, the conference was addressed by Eric Bowles from Brecon Beacons National Park who looked at the interaction between the emerging local development plan and citizen engagement. Dr Ken Sterrett from Queen’s University presented a paper on his participatory planning research in Donegall Pass, Belfast and in conclusion delegates heard from Gareth Harper (Rural Community Network), Dr Michael Murray and David Houston (Queen’s University Belfast) on the results of their work with rural communities in Northern Ireland. The conference was closed by Michael Hughes from Rural Community Network who offered a personal reflection on some key learning outcomes. All delegates received a copy of the QUB / RCN publication from the SPAN project: “Participatory Rural Planning – Resources, Methodology, Analysis”.

For further information: Dr Michael Murray
School of Environmental Planning
Level 3 - David Keir Building
Stranmillis Road
Belfast

Conference Programme

Introduction
Dr. Michael Murray, Institute of Spatial and Environmental Planning, Queen’s University Belfast

Session 1

The Potential and Limits of Participatory Planning
Professor Cliff Hague, School of the Built Environment, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland

Barking at the Moon? Public Participation and Spatial Planning in the Republic of Ireland
Brendan Bartley, National Institute of Regional and Spatial Analysis,National University of Ireland Maynooth, Ireland

Consultation in Area Planning: Progress Made or Lost Opportunity?
Colm Bradley, Community Technical Aid, Northern Ireland

Session 2

Local Development Frameworks and Statements of Community Involvement - The Brecon Beacons National Park Experience
Eric Bowles, Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales

Learning from the Urban: Interdisciplinary Research Perspectives on Participatory Planning from Belfast
Ken Sterrett, Institute of Spatial and Environmental Planning, Queen’s University Belfast

Participatory Rural Planning and the SPAN project in Northern Ireland
Michael Murray and David Houston, Institute of Spatial and Environmental Planning, Queen’s University Belfast & Gareth Harper, Rural Community Network

The Institute of Spatial and Environmental Planning (ISEP) convened a one-day conference in the Great Hall Queen’s University Belfast on the theme “Village Futures” on Thursday 16th November 2006. This conference brought together policy-makers, community interests and academics from Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, Belgium and France. Village planning and development in Northern Ireland is set to become a prominent issue for local communities, public and private service providers and developers over the next decade. Over 180 delegates attended this conference.

This conference was organised as part of the SPAN EU INTERREG research project in which Queen’s is a partner.

For further information: Dr Michael Murray
School of Environmental Planning
Level 3 - David Keir Building
Stranmillis Road
Belfast

Conference Programme

Welcome and Introduction
Professor Malachy McEldowney, School of Planning, Architecture & Civil Engineering, Queen’s University Belfast

Session 1 Chair: Professor Malachy McEldowney

The Art of Village Planning: Retrospect & Prospect (Abstract)
Trevor Cherrett, Commission for Rural Communities, England            

The Vibrant Villages Initiative
Nick Mack, Rural Development Council for Northern Ireland

Village Planning & Development in Wallonia
Etienne Timmermans, Foundation Rurale de Wallonie, Belgium

Village Centres: Stakes & Strategies (Slide text in French only)
Jean-Pierre Bonnell, University of Reims, France

Questions & Answers, and Panel Discussion

Session 2 Chair: Dr Brendan Murtagh

Planning for Affordable Village Housing - A Case Study: Darrara Model Village, Co. Cork (Abstract)
Paul McTernan, Colin Buchanan & Partners, Belfast

Village Planning and Conservation
Alison Harvey, The Heritage Council of Ireland

Community Involvement in Village Design Statements
Gary Soltys, Soltys Brewster, Belfast & Laurence Manogue, Manogue Architects, Belfast

Questions & Answers and Panel Discussion

Local development identifies and harnesses a wide variety of resources in ways that are often more effective and efficient than top-down initiatives acting alone. This approach requires appropriate governance arrangements that are strongly supportive of local activity. It requires the formation and operation of local level alliances by stakeholders who can think and act strategically. And of course, it is vital that the scope of local development is defined as a multi-dimensional set of activities that recognise the interdependence not just of social, economic, cultural and environmental measures, but also the very real connectedness between people and place. Spatial development approaches to local development are, therefore, an important element of any coherent local development framework. The development of Natural Resource Tourism fits well with all these considerations.

For further information: Dr Michael Murray
Environmental Planning
Queen's University Belfast
Level 3 - David Keir Building
Stranmillis Road
Belfast
BT9 5AG

Conference Programme

Welcome & Introduction
Dr Michael Murray, School of Environmental Planning, QUB

Session 1 - Setting the context for Natural Resouce Tourism, Projects that connect people and environment

The first purpose built Mountain Bike Trail in Ireland
Clare Wright, Strategic Co-ordinator, Countryside Acess & Activities Network
visit the CAAN website: http://www.countrysiderecreation.com/
visit the NI mountain biking website: http://www.nimountainbiking.com/

Canoe Trails in Northern Ireland
Matt Peach, Canoe Development Officer for N Ireland
visit the NI mountain biking website: http://www.nicanoeing.com/

Northern Ireland's first Equestrian Toll Ride
Heather Hoffman, Off-road Horse Riding Development Officer
visit the NI horse riding website: http://www.nihorseriding.com/

Ecotrails in Northern Ireland
Colin Henderson, Ecotrail Project Manager
visit the Ecotrails website: http://www.ecotrails.co.uk/

Exploring the potential of Natural Resource Tourism
Kieran Swail, Global Travel Training Ltd, Belfast
visit their website: http://www.globaltraveltraining.com/       

Countryside Recreation as a Driver for Natural Resource Tourism
Micheal O’Corcora, Head of Rural Development, Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs, Dublin and Chair of Comhairle na Tuaithe
visit their website: http://www.pobail.ie/

Session 2 - Countryside Recreation as a Driver for Natural Resource Tourism

The Natural Tourism Resource Initiative in the Causeway Coast
Peter Harper, Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust
visit their website: http://www.ccght.org/

The Natural Tourism Resource Initiative in the Sperrins
Max Bryant, Sperrins Tourism Ltd
visit their website: http://www.sperrinstourism.com/

Towards Integration: the Role of Heritage Plans
Bernie Guest, Heritage Officer, Westmeath County Council
visit their website: http://www.westmeathcoco.ie/

‘Pushing the boat out’: New Directions for Natural Resource Tourism
Gerry Darby, The Lough Neagh Partnership
visit their website: http://www.loughneaghpartnership.com/

Professor Jim Walsh (ESPON Contact Point for Ireland), Professor Cliff Hague (ESPON Contact Point for of the UK), Mr John Martin (Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Ireland) & Dr Ken Sterrett (School of Environmental Planning, QUB)

The School of Environmental Planning hosted some 200 academics, practitioners and students from across the EU at a spatial planning conference convened in Elmwood Hall on 22 and 23 February. The meeting was organised under the auspices of the European Spatial Planning Observation Network (ESPON) and the Strategic Planning Action Network (SPAN), both currently being funded by the EU INTERREG programme. The theme focused on the condition of regions lying outside the European Pentagon (London-Paris-Milan-Munich-Hamburg) and dealt with planning issues facing rural areas and small / medium sized towns. Particular attention was given to the spatial frameworks prepared for Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and northern England. One of the key messages to emerge from the discussion is that spatial planning in Ireland should be brought within the remit of the North-South Ministerial Council and that it also should become part of the agenda of the Council of the Islands established by the UK and Irish governments under the Good Friday Agreement. The conference was supported by the ESPON Contact Points of the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands, Hungary and the Czech Republic, along with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in the UK, the Department for Regional Development in Northern Ireland, and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in Ireland.

Conference Programme

For further information: Dr Michael Murray
School of Environmental Planning
Level 3 - David Keir Building
Stranmillis Road
Belfast
BT9 5AG

The School of Environmental Planning at Queen’s University convened a one-day conference in the Canada Room, Queen’s University Belfast on the theme “Single Dwellings in the Countryside – Informing the Debate” on Friday 3rd December 2004. This conference brought together policy-makers, community interests and academics from Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Belgium and France to share experiences around this most topical of rural planning issues. Over 70 delegates attended this conference.

This conference was organised as part of the SPAN EU INTERREG research project in which Queen’s is a partner.

For further information: Dr Michael Murray
School of Environmental Planning
Level 3 - David Keir Building
Stranmillis Road
Belfast