Applied Research
One of ICLRD’s primary activities is applied research into the social, economic and environmental dimensions of spatial planning, reconciliation and community regeneration and inter-regional and cross-border co-operation. Through collaboration among universities, local government and community groups, the ICLRD’s applied research activities specifically address the spatial manifestations of community conflict, promote employment opportunities and encourage communities to take a proactive role in creating a stable society.
With the core funding received from the International Fund for Ireland (IFI), and the Irish Governments’ Department of Education, and Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government, ICLRD is currently undertaking the following Core Research Programmes:
This 18-month research programme, focusing on the inter-relationships between cross-border towns and villages in the Irish Border region, culminated with the launch of the book Fostering Mutual Benefits in Cross-Border Areas: The Challenges and Opportunities in Connecting Irish Border Towns and Villages, in Blacklion, County Cavan on the 21 November 2008. The research considers the relationship and connectivity that exist between five cross-border settlement groupings and identifies and examines the challenges facing, and opportunities within, these ‘micro-regions’. The Border towns and villages included in the study were: Lifford-Strabane; Kiltyclogher-Cashel/Scribbagh-Garrison-Rossinver; Blacklion-Belcoo-Glenfarne; Clones-Rosslea-Newtownbutler-Lisnaskea; and Castleblayney-Crossmaglen.
Research Team: Caroline Creamer, Neale Blair, Brendan O’Keeffe, Chris van Egeraat and John Driscoll
The Newry-Dundalk Twin City Region: Supporting the Implementation of Cross-Border Collaborative Frameworks report was completed in January 2009 and launched on February 27th in cooperation with Louth County Council, the Newry Mourne District Council, Dundalk Town Council and InterTradeIreland. 2009. The Report was launched by Conor Murphy, MP MLA, Minister for Regional Development in Northern Ireland, and John Gormley, TD, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government of the Republic, at a special event at the Carrickdale Hotel, Ravensdale, Dundalk, Co Louth.
ICLRD undertook this research initiative with the three aforementioned Councils and a Steering Committee chaired by InterTradeIreland to identify (a) potential projects that can bring long-term benefits to the Twin City Region of Newry-Dundalk and (b) models of cooperation to assist in their implementation.
Research Team: Alastair Adair, Jim Berry, John Driscoll, Chris Van Egeraat, Justin Gleeson, Erick Guerra, Stanley McGreal, Christopher Ryan, and Francois Vigier
Sustainable Communities
This ICLRD research study is developing case studies on six different communities to better understand the linkages between mixed income/integrated developments and emerging policy agendas for promoting sustainable communities. The six sites include:
- Republic of Ireland: Cranmore Estate, Sligo; Mahon Estate, Cork; and Adamstown, Dublin
- Northern Ireland: Carran Cresent, Enniskillen; Spring Farm Estate, Antrim; and Gobnascale/Irish Street Area, Derry/Londonderry.
The research team is currently writing up of over 100 interviews and reworking a comprehensive literature review to include up-to-date information relating to the downturn in the housing market and key policy issues relating to the research topic. The study will be launched at the annual Conference of the Isles in the Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle, County Down on 7-8 May 2009.
Research Team: Paddy Gray, Erick Guerra, John Driscoll, Brendan Bartley, Michaela Keenan, and Ursula Mcanulty
Rural Restructuring: Local Sustainable Solutions to the Rural Challenge
Undertaken by the International Centre for Local and Regional Development (ICLRD) with funding by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), the research details the need for a focused approach to rural development that harnesses local assets and potentiality through joined up collaboration. It advocates for a ‘micro-region’ concept in rural development that moves from a strictly area-based approach within a single jurisdiction to an inter-locality model that (a) can operate across county or district administrative areas and the Border region and (b) recognises that micro-regions are part of, and contribute to, their wider region. The research centres on the experiences of three rural communities across the island:
- Emyvale-Truagh-Aughnacloy (North Monaghan / South Tyrone border)
- Draperstown (Magherafelt District)
- Duhallow (Northwest Cork / East Kerry).
In addition to the report, a Working Paper Series details the activities on initiatives in rural enterprise in the three communities.
The report was launched by Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Michelle Gildernew MP MLA in association with Andy Pollak, Director, Centre for Cross Border Studies in June 2009.
Research Team: Caroline Creamer, Neale Blair, Brendan O’Keeffe, Karen Keaveney and John Driscoll
Assessing Accessibility of Services and Infrastructure
The All-Island Research Observatory (AIRO) and ICLRD are collaborating with the Strategic Investment Board (SIB) in Northern Ireland to develop a methodology of identifying a baseline inventory of service infrastructure in Northern Ireland. This pilot project will produce a series of accessibility maps for specific services within Northern Ireland using Geographical Information System (GIS). The research team is also collecting data to extend the analysis on a cross-border basis where compatible data exists.
SIB is also interested in a possible extension of the work to identify functional areas; this work can be tied into the new ICLRD research on delineating functional territories.
Research Team: Justin Gleeson, Rob Kitchin and Helen Caughey
Delineation of Functional Territories of Urban Systems on the Island of Ireland
This ICLRD research programme is focusing on the delineation of urban systems and their functional regions on the island of Ireland. The need for this work, especially on an inter-jurisdictional basis, was identified in the research undertaken for the InterTradeIreland/ICLRD spatial strategies report in 2006. NIRSA, as a key member of the research team, generated pioneering maps illustrating travel to work distances and patterns on an all-island basis which generated considerable interest by both policy-makers and practitioners, North and South. Subsequently, the ICLRD partners and associates, together with the Regional Studies Association (Irish Branch) held a series of seminars and a conference on spatial indicators which included early research on identifying urban clusters on an all-island basis. This new research programme builds on this earlier work and will be an essential point of departure and platform for a wider programme that will describe and analyse urban structure on the island of Ireland.
The link between the research and policy-makers and practitioners will occur through a series of smaller seminars where the research team can present emerging findings and discuss their implications.
Research Team: Des McCafferty, Francois Vigier, Chris Lloyd, Proinnsias Breathnach, Brendan Bartley, Chris van Egeraat, and Justin Gleeson.
