South Dublin County Council wins at Planning Awards: Public Realm Designer at SDCC Suzanne Furlong accepts an award for a Walking and Cycling to School project in Ballyboden and Knocklyon from Irish Planning Institute President Deirdre Fallon, at the National Planning Awards.
At the National Planning Awards 2015-2016, which took place at Dublin Castle on Friday 19th February, South Dublin County Council took the top prize in both the Smart Travel and the Planning for Climate Change categories. The Draft County Development Plan 2016-2022 was also commended in both the Plan Making and Planning Media and Communications categories.
Having regard to the Council’s winning projects, IPI President Deirdre Fallon said too often there can be more emphasis in smarter travel initiatives on simply providing infrastructure rather than working to find out how local communities view the alternatives of walking, cycling and public transport.
“In the project planners moved out of their offices to work proactively with school management and local communities in Ballyboden, listening to their ideas and then putting these into the design. Other planning authorities would benefit from studying the ways that South Dublin County Council went about its work.”
Ms Fallon added that the Council’s Spatial Energy Demand Analysis project “provides an understanding of energy needs, energy efficiency and renewable energy responses across the commercial, residential and municipal sectors in the county which provides a template for local authorities in planning strategically to reduce carbon usage”.
In accepting the awards, Councillor Deirdre O’Donovan commented:
“I am delighted that the work of South Dublin County Council has been recognised with these prestigious awards. South Dublin County Council strives to support the development of integrated, sustainable communities whilst advancing skill sets and capacity building in evidence based planning tools. ”.
Chief Executive, Daniel Mc Loughlin added “The National Planning Awards are a great opportunity to recognise Local Authority innovation at national level. I am delighted and proud of all the staff who were winners and those whose projects were shortlisted for these awards. It is important that their efforts and achievements are acknowledged by their peers”.
The National Planning Awards, hosted by the Irish Planning Institute, in partnership with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government showcases the best practice in the planning profession throughout Ireland.
South Dublin County Council acknowledges the financial support of the National Transport Authority via the Sustainable Transport Measures Grants, the support of An Taisce Green Schools and the enthusiastic involvement of the pupils and staff of local schools in Ballyroan and Knocklyon for the Walking and Cycling to Ballyroan Schools Pilot Project.