Media coverage: Ireland 2050 conference

The Ireland 2050: Balanced by Design conference was co-organised by the AoU and RIAI, in partnership with the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage. 

As Ireland prepares for a century of significant population growth, the need for a new vision in urban planning has never been more urgent. The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) and the AoU's conference on 25-26 March in Dublin Castle, themed Ireland 2050: Balanced by Design, focused on reshaping Ireland’s urban future. We had a fantastic two days discussing how Irish cities and towns can elevate their urbanism, drawing inspiration from the successes of cities like Barcelona and Helsinki.

The event explored the key elements needed to create long-term, sustainable, and resilient development strategies, with a focus on the economic and societal opportunity. It learned from global examples that have implemented urban design principles into planning and development processes that deliver balanced growth, whilst addressing climate resilience and community well- being.

The conversations which took place at the conference have featured strongly in the media, outlining the issues facing Ireland’s cities and towns, along with the solutions needed to address our housing and infrastructure crisis.

The Irish Times: Housing targets at risk due to water supply gaps - Olivia Kelly, 28 March
According to Uisce Éireann chairman, Jerry Grant, who delivered a “hard-hitting address” to the RIAI & AoU conference, Ireland’s water and sewage systems are in a dire state due to years of neglect and lack of investment. Read here.

The Irish Times: Irish councils lack ability to plan big cities, conference told - Olivia Kelly, 26 March
Included are quotes from RIAI President Sean Mahon FRIAI, Frances Ruane, Senator Michael McDowell and Niall Cussen. Read here.

RTE Radio One, Drivetime: Interview with Frances Ruane - 24 March
Frances spoke about Ireland's significant planning issues and the anticipated population growth over the next 30 years. She highlighted the conference's goal of showcasing successful strategies from other countries and criticised the planning system and its 'anti-competitive' nature. Listen here (starts 1:17:04).

Sunday Independent: Interview of RIAI President Sean Mahon FRIAI - Wayne O'Connor, 23 March
The RIAI President said that changing how people engage with planning systems may reduce the number of lengthy judicial reviews and planning appeals which delay the delivery of key infrastructure. He said that increasing the use of large 3D models and giving people better access to how plans might look could help. Read here.

(from L-R) Peter Hynes, A4, former CE Mayo County Council; Kathryn Meghen, CEO, RIAI; Sean Mahon FRIAI, RIAI President; Emmet Humphreys, Galway City Council; and Christine Smallwood, Managing Director, The Academy of Urbanism (AoU). Photo by Conor Healy.

On a recent research visit to Helsinki and Copenhagen, Irish planners were exposed to integrated city development plans that comprehensively addressed zoning, infrastructure, transportation, energy, water, waste, and climate change.

Chair of the Academy of Urbanism, Andreas Markides said:

We urgently need to address the pressing and complex challenges of creating and sustaining places that meet our evolving requirements in a balanced and cohesive way. The conference will provide the chance to learn from exemplar European cities and explore how they have been able to successfully deliver their goals of great placemaking.  Whether through innovation, investment, breakthrough design or citizen engagement, we can all benefit from hearing about how forward-looking and visionary urbanism can be achieved and maintained. Delegates will discover how the approaches of other places can be applied in Ireland in order to achieve urban success.

RIAI President, Sean Mahon, said:

These cities showcase how proactive urbanism, led by well-resourced councils, can successfully deliver sustainable neighbourhoods and regenerate urban areas. The conference will explore these best practices, focusing on the necessary steps to replicate such successes in Irish cities and towns. As the population grows, there is a need for transformative thinking and decisive action. The conference aims to inspire participants and ignite a critical conversation on how we can navigate the complexities of these challenges and move towards a more sustainable, balanced urban future.

The conference featured prominent international speakers including Pasi Rajala, Head of Masterplanning, City of Helsinki; Dr. Matti Kuronen, Professor of Practice, University of Helsinki; and Dr. Anke Jurleit, Senior Project Director, Union Investment. These experts shared insights on how Helsinki's integrated approach to urban planning is not only visionary, but achievable, with an emphasis on implementation and financial autonomy. Additionally, former City Architect of Barcelona, Xavi Matilla provided valuable insights into neighbourhood exemplars, while Professor Philip McCann, a leading UK specialist in spatial economics and economic geography from Alliance Manchester Business School, discussed the imperative for national balance.

A full list of speakers can be found here.