Write a commentDevelopment Minister Conor Murphy and southern Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Éamon Ó Cuív today announced that a joint consultation on a Framework for Collaboration on Spatial Strategies for the Island of Ireland will begin on Tuesday, 15 February for two months.
The linked cities and towns of Derry and Letterkenny, and Newry and Dundalk are important locations because of their role as administrative, educational or commerce centres or as gateways to other places and regions.
Minister Murphy said: "Issues, opportunities and challenges in relation to spatial planning and future development are frequently shared, North and South. Understanding this relationship can help economic recovery through more effective planning and prioritisation of investment. “These strategies emphasise the importance of working together for the development of urban and rural areas and for the provision of infrastructure and services. They can deliver real mutual benefits at both a local border level and at the larger Island level.
“In order that all parts of the Island can compete in the global market, spatial plans have an important role to play in ensuring we meet our infrastructure needs in a strategic, planned, integrated and sustainable manner." Both spatial strategies identify Dublin and Belfast as key economic drivers.
Research commissioned in 2006 by InterTrade Ireland and undertaken by the International Centre for Local and Regional Development (ICLRD) highlighted the advantages of a collaborative approach to spatial planning on the island of Ireland, particularly in the context of globalisation and the need to enhance our collective competitiveness.
The consultation document is available on the internet at http://www.drdni.gov.uk/shapingourfuture/
