<h3>Publication of Study Series on Cross-Border and Inter-Jurisdictional Planning and Governance Reform</h3>
The International Centre for Local and Regional Development (ICLRD) is delighted to announce the publication of a series of reports on cross-border and inter-jurisdictional planning and governance.  The first three reports in the series have been undertaken as part of the ICLRD’s EU-Funded initiative, CroSPlaN. Funded under INTERREG IVA, and administered by the Special EU Programmes Body, this three-year programme promotes the development of a cross-border planning network by enhancing and promoting the opportunities that exist for collaboration and addressing identified areas of need.
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<td style="vertical-align: top;"><a href="http://dev.iclrd.org/iclrd2/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/ICLRD-Report-Final-All-Change-But-Any-Alignment-Sept10-1.pdf" target="_blank"><img  title="All-Change-But-Any-Alignment-cover2" src="http://dev.iclrd.org/iclrd2/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/All-Change-But-Any-Alignment-cover2-1.jpg" alt="All-Change-But-Any-Alignment-cover2" width="154" height="247" /></a></td>
<td style="vertical-align: top;">The first report in the series, <em><strong>All Change But Any Alignment? The Impact of the Proposed Governance and Planning Reforms Across the Island of Ireland on Inter-Jurisdictional Planning</strong></em>, was published at the end of June 2010. This report considers the implications of the proposed governance and spatial planning reforms in both jurisdictions on future collaboration. The report can be downloaded from <a href="http://dev.iclrd.org/iclrd2/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/ICLRD-Report-Final-All-Change-But-Any-Alignment-Sept10-1.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.
<a href="http://iclrd.org/web/activities/research/#InterJurisdictional"></a>
<a href="http://iclrd.org/web/activities/research/#InterJurisdictional">Read more...</a></td>
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<td style="vertical-align: top;"><a href="http://dev.iclrd.org/iclrd2/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Regional-Planning-in-the-Boston-Metropolitan-Area-Oct10-1.pdf" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft size-full" title="Metro Boston" src="http://dev.iclrd.org/iclrd2/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/RegionalPlanningBostonMA_cover-1.jpg" alt="Metro Boston" width="150" height="245" /></a></td>
<td style="vertical-align: top;">The second report in the series, <em><strong>Regional Planning in the Boston Metropolitan Area</strong></em>, was published in October 2010.  With its focus on the greater Boston Area, this case study provides practitioners, policy makers and academics involved in cross-border and inter-jurisdictional cooperation with practical examples of how cooperation, in local and regional development, can be shaped by collaborative efforts.  The report can be downloaded from <a href="http://dev.iclrd.org/iclrd2/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Regional-Planning-in-the-Boston-Metropolitan-Area-Oct10-1.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.</td>
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<td style="vertical-align: top;"><a href="http://iclrd.org/web/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Basel-Metropolitan-Area-Three-Borders-One-Metropolitan-Area-Dec10-1.pdf" target="_blank"><img  title="Basel" src="http://dev.iclrd.org/iclrd2/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/BaselMetropolitanArea_cover-1.jpg" alt="Basel" width="150" height="245" /></a></td>
<td style="vertical-align: top;">The third report in the series, <strong><em>The Basel Metropolitan Areas: Three Borders – One Metropolitan Area</em></strong>, was published in December 2010.  The last of the three reports financed under the CroSPlaN Initiative, this study focuses on the Trinational Eurodistrict Basel (TEB), a region with strong cross-border functional linkages and a history of developing joint projects and co-ordination mechanisms.  The report can be downloaded from <a href="http://iclrd.org/web/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Basel-Metropolitan-Area-Three-Borders-One-Metropolitan-Area-Dec10-1.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.</td>
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These international case studies provide illustrations of  good practice for emerging cross-border cooperation in spatial planning at the sub-regional level that are pertinent to the Irish border region, including the Newry-Dundalk Twin City Region; the North-West Gateway which includes Londonderry/Derry and Letterkenny; and the Central Border Region.
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<td style="vertical-align: top;"><a href="http://dev.iclrd.org/iclrd2/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Collaborative-Communities-Rural-Municipalities-in-Spain-Feb11-1.pdf" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft" title="Mancomunidades_cover" src="http://dev.iclrd.org/iclrd2/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Mancomunidades_cover-1.jpg" alt="Mancomunidades_cover" width="150" height="245" /></a></td>
<td style="vertical-align: top;">The fourth report, <em><strong>Collaborative Communities: Co-operation among Rural Municipalities – Insights from Spain</strong></em>,  was published in February 2011.  Funded by the Higher Education  Authority (HEA), and focusing on cross-municipality collaboration, this  report compliments the other three in the series; offering as it does  practical insights and good practices for the ongoing governance reforms  in both jurisdictions on the island of Ireland. The report considers  the <em>Mancomunidades </em>in Spain, voluntary associations of  municipalities who cooperate among themselves to deliver services in an  effective and cost-efficient manner. The report can be downloaded from <a href="http://dev.iclrd.org/iclrd2/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Collaborative-Communities-Rural-Municipalities-in-Spain-Feb11-1.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.</td>
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<h3>Borderlands: The Journal of Spatial Planning in Ireland</h3>
<h3><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1684" title="Borderlands1Cover" src="http://iclrd.org/web/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Borderlands1Cover-210x300.jpg" alt="Borderlands1Cover" width="249" height="357" /></h3>
The International Centre for Local and Regional Development (ICLRD) is delighted to announce the publication of the inaugural issue of <strong><em>Borderlands: The Journal of Spatial Planning in Ireland. </em></strong>This informative annual journal includes timely articles on cross-border and inter-jurisdictional cooperation on the island of Ireland – and beyond.
With a particular focus on the challenging issues facing local and regional development, the articles on spatial planning practice and policy, balanced regional development, governance reform, community development and cross-border cooperation, and evidence-informed planning will appeal to planning practitioners, policy-makers, community interest groups, and academics.  Contributors to this issue included Dr. Tim O’Connor on the genesis of the ICLRD; Prof. Greg Lloyd on the role of spatial planning in supporting the ‘common good’; Charlotte Khan and Holly St. Clair on the Boston experience of evidence-based planning and policy – not only at national government level but also within and across communities; and Prof. Peter Roberts on the evolution of sustainable communities theory and its application to the six case studies presented in the ICLRD Project, “Living Together”.
The journal, made possible by funding received from INTERREG IVA administered by the Special EU Programmes Body, was jointly launched by Ms. Anne Barrington, Joint Southern Secretary and Ms. Mary Bunting, Joint Northern Secretary of the North South Ministerial Framework on 2o January 2011 as part of the ICLRD’s Sixth Annual Conference.
Copies of the journal are available by contacting Eimear Donnelly, Project Administrator at (028) 3751 1550 or on <a href="mailto:eimear.donnelly@qub.ac.uk%20%0d%0b">eimear.donnelly@qub.ac.uk </a>
<h3>Public Consultation on Framework for Collaboration</h3>
On 15 February 2011, the Department for Regional Development in Northern Ireland and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the Republic of Ireland jointly released the<em> The Spatial Strategies on the Island of Ireland—Framework for Collaboration</em> for public consultation over an 8 week period.
As the press release states: “The consultation document identifies key planning challenges faced by both jurisdictions and discusses the potential for collaboration in spatial planning.  It sets out a non-statutory framework for collaboration at different levels within the public sector which should result in mutual benefits”.
The idea of a non-statutory framework for cooperation between the <em>National Spatial Strategy</em> (NSS) and the <em>Regional Development Strategy</em> (RDS) was first introduced in the 2006 ICLRD study, funded by Inter<em>Trade</em>Ireland (ITI).  Since then, we have continued to shine a light on the advantages of the framework through our research, conferences and dialogue with senior policy makers.
The original team members on the ITI-funded study, <em>Spatial Strategies on the Island of Ireland—Development of a Framework for Collaborative Action,</em> included Jim Berry, Brendan Bartley, Alastair Adair, John Driscoll, Caroline Creamer, Neale Blair , Stanley McGreal and Francois Vigier.  They are to be thanked for their efforts; as are both Departments for persisting in their own efforts to draft and publish a joint document. This study also set a benchmark for how ICLRD engages senior policy makers and practitioners on a steering committee, in this case chaired by Aidan Gough of ITI.
The deadline for comments on the collaborative framework is 5p.m., Monday 11 April 2011.  We encourage you to put together a response; with the relevant documents accessible from the following links.
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Document:</span>
<a href="http://www.drdni.gov.uk/index/publications/publications-details.htm?docid=6831" target="_blank">www.drdni.gov.uk/index/publications/publications-details.htm?docid=6831</a>
<a href="http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Planning/NationalSpatialStrategy/FileDownLoad,25407,en.pdf" target="_blank">www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Planning/NationalSpatialStrategy/FileDownLoad,25407,en.pdf</a>
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span>
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Press Releases:</span>
<a href="http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/index/media-centre/news-departments/news-drd/news-drd-1510211-joint-spatial-strategies.htm" target="_blank">www.northernireland.gov.uk/index/media-centre/news-departments/news-drd/news-drd-1510211-joint-spatial-strategies.htm</a>
<a href="http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentandHousing/PlanningDevelopment/NationalSpatialStrategy/News/MainBody,25408,en.htm" target="_blank">www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentandHousing/PlanningDevelopment/NationalSpatialStrategy/News/MainBody,25408,en.htm</a>
<h3>New Cross Border Agreement</h3>
<img class="size-full wp-image-1685 alignleft" title="Brussels" src="http://dev.iclrd.org/iclrd2/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Brussels-1.jpg" alt="Brussels" width="336" height="250" />Louth local authorities and Newry and Mourne District Council took a major step forward in the promotion of cross border partnership in the border region.
At a special event hosted by the Northern Ireland office in Brussels on March 2, 2011, the local authorities from Newry and Mourne District Council, Louth County Council, Drogheda Borough Council, Dundalk Town Council and Adree Town Council signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate in a number of thematic areas including; emergency planning, renewable energy and green technology, tourism and recreation, sustainable economic growth and job creation. There was a local launch of the agreement on 7 April 2011 at the Ballymascanlon Hotel, Dundalk.
<a href="http://www.intertradeireland.com/newsandevents/news/2011/name,5720,en.html" target="_blank">http://www.intertradeireland.com/newsandevents/news/2011/name,5720,en.html</a>
<a href="http://www.newryandmourne.gov.uk/news/news-article.aspx?PublicEventID=189" target="_blank">http://www.newryandmourne.gov.uk/news/news-article.aspx?PublicEventID=189</a>
<a href="http://www.borderireland.info/info/mdetail.php?mref=2372" target="_blank">http://www.borderireland.info/info/mdetail.php?mref=2372</a>
The agreement, developed with the assistance of ICLRD, is seen by EU officials as a best practice and an important new instrument to build cooperation among the involved councils. An ICLRD report commissioned by the Councils outlines the options for this strategic alliance and the final memorandum: <em><a href="http://dev.iclrd.org/iclrd2/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Newry-Louth-Strategic-Alliance-Report-ICLRD-final-1.pdf" target="_blank">Developing a Strategic Alliance between Newry and Mourne District Council and Louth Local Authorities--Background Report</a>.</em> The report provides cases studies and explores different legal instruments for cross-border cooperation that can be useful for other local authorities.
Support from central government authorities in Dublin (Department of Enviornment, Heritage and Local Government) and Belfast (Department for Regional Development) were also important in reaching this agreement. The  North South Ministerial Council Joint Secretaries, Mary Bunting and Anne Barrington welcomed the launch of the Memorandum of Understanding:
“This is a very positive development and an excellent example of practical, mutually beneficial cross border co-operation.  The four themes for co-operation have a direct impact for the people of Newry and Mourne and Louth at a time of constraint on resources.  It makes sense to co-operate and where practical to share resources for the benefit of the whole region”.
<h3>ICLRD Commences Executive Training Programme in the Northwest Region</h3>
ICLRD is in the process of delivering an Executive Training Programme for public/private sector representatives and elected members in the Northwest.  Primarily working with both Donegal County Council and Derry City Council, this programme is focusing on the theme of <em>Fostering Growth through Cooperation in the Northwest Region</em>.  It will take place over a series of five modules – commencing in October 2010 – with interventions from expert speakers from government, academia and the private sector, from both sides of the border.
Through highly informative and interactive presentations, the programme will pay particular attention to the themes of cross-border collaboration, leadership and institutional arrangements in achieving collaboration, city of culture and the role of culture in regeneration, cross-border enterprise and skills strategies, and the green economy and sustainable energies.
The training is being offered as part of ICLRD’s CroSPlaN initiative funded under INTERREG IVA, administered by SEUPB.
<h3>ICLRD Sixth Annual Conference: Doing More with Less – Challenge and /or Opportunity?</h3>
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The International Centre for Local and Regional Development (ICLRD) has just hosted its Sixth Annual Conference on the <strong>20-21 January 2011</strong> in the <strong>Radisson BLU Hotel, Ballincar, Sligo</strong>.  Attended by 110 people representing central, regional and local government, elected representatives, policy-makers, cross-border networks, community activists, academics and representatives of the business community, the theme of this event was <a href="http://iclrd.org/web/2011-conference/"><em><strong>The Changing Business, Community and Spatial Planning Landscape: Doing More with Less</strong></em></a><strong>.</strong>
Copies of the conference presentations, audio files are available to download <strong><a href="http://iclrd.org/web/2011-conference/" target="_self">here</a></strong>. The conference report will be available for download shortly.
<a href="mailto:eimear.donnelly@qub.ac.uk">
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<a href="mailto:eimear.donnelly@qub.ac.uk"></a><a href="http://dev.iclrd.org/iclrd2/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_0078-1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1639" title="IMG_0078" src="http://iclrd.org/web/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_0078-1024x278.jpg" alt="IMG_0078" width="700" /></a>
<h3>ICLRD Publishes Report on The Delineation of Functional Territories Across the Island of Ireland</h3>
<a href="http://dev.iclrd.org/iclrd2/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/DelineatingFunctionalTerritories_Phase1_FinalReport-1.pdf" target="_blank"><img class="size-full wp-image-1396 alignleft" title="functional-territories-cover" src="http://dev.iclrd.org/iclrd2/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/functional-territories-cover-1.jpg" alt="functional-territories-cover" width="169" height="241" /></a>The International Centre for Local and Regional Development (ICLRD) is delighted to announce the publication of its study, <strong><em>Delineating Functional Territories Across The Island of Ireland: An Initial Scoping</em></strong>. The report can be downloaded from <a href="http://dev.iclrd.org/iclrd2/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/DelineatingFunctionalTerritories_Phase1_FinalReport-1.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.
This report comes out of a 10-month research programme (August 2009 to June 2010) on the various options for mapping functional territories across the island of Ireland.  In undertaking a preliminary analysis of Functional Urban Areas (FUAs) of the Irish / Northern Irish urban systems, this study includes maps of natural catchments, travel-to-work catchments, origin-destination data, gravity models and urban functional specialisations. The research has been carried out by a multi-disciplinary team within ICLRD and has been funded by the Higher Education Authority (HEA).
<a href="http://iclrd.org/web/activities/research/#FUAs">Read more...</a>
<h3>ICLRD Briefing Paper Series</h3>
ICLRD is publishing a series of short timely articles that explore  how various forms of planning, enacted at different spatial scales, can  contribute to better collaboration on the pressing issues facing both  the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
By considering both jurisdictions on the island and the potential  synergies and efficiencies that can be realised through cooperation, we  aim to provide a more rounded view than considering each jurisdiction in  isolation.  We believe that good planning, following international best  practice, can be a major part in the crafting of practical solutions to  inter-jurisdictional and cross-border cooperation.
Articles available to date include:
<a href="http://dev.iclrd.org/iclrd2/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Paper-1-Planning-Key-Success-Nov09-1.pdf" target="_blank">Paper 1: Good Planning Key to Future Success</a>--Prof.  Rob Kitchin, NUI Maynooth &amp; Prof. Alastair Adair, University  of  Ulster
<a href="http://dev.iclrd.org/iclrd2/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Paper-2-Linking-planning-Investment-Dec09-1.pdf" target="_blank">Paper 2: Linking Spatial Planning with Public  Investment: Perspectives from the island of Ireland</a>--David Counsell,  Planner &amp; Prof. Greg Lloyd, University of Ulster
<a href="http://dev.iclrd.org/iclrd2/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Paper-3-Gateway-Investment-Economic-Development-Jan10-1.pdf" target="_blank">Paper 3:  The Conditions Necessary for Gateway  Development &amp; the Role of Smaller Gateways in Economic Development</a>--Jim  Walsh,  NUI Maynooth and Cormac Walsh, Urban Institute of Ireland at  UCD
<a href="http://dev.iclrd.org/iclrd2/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Paper-4-ESPON-The-EU-Research-Agenda-Feb10-1.pdf" target="_blank">Paper 4: ESPON - A New Practical European Research Agenda for Territorial and Development</a> -- Cliff Hague, ESPON Contact Point UK and Brendan Bartley, ESPON Contact Point Republic of Ireland
<a href="http://dev.iclrd.org/iclrd2/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Paper-5-Evidence-Informed-Plg-in-Boston-May10-1.pdf" target="_blank">Paper 5: Evidence-Informed Spatial Planning: A Boston Metro Perspective</a> -- Holly St Clair,  Metropolitan Area Planning Council, Boston
<a href="http://dev.iclrd.org/iclrd2/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Paper-6-Recovery-Scenarios-Both-Economies-July10-1.pdf" target="_blank">Paper 6: Recovery Scenarios for the Two Irish Economies</a> -- Prof. John FitzGerald, The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI)