Conference Programme
As part of its ten-year celebrations, the International Centre for Local and Regional Development’s (ICLRD) held its annual conference on the afternoon of 9th February 2017 in the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Sligo. The theme of this celebratory event was place-making; a subject matter that has lain at the heart of much of the ICLRD’s work programmes – whether action research, policy briefings or capacity building programmes – over the past ten years. As such, it was considered both fitting and appropriate by the Executive Board that this topic, and the opportunities it offers in unlocking the potential of places, take centre stage at this conference, “Our Future in Place: The Role of People, Policy and Process in Place-Making and Place-Shaping”.
There is a growing argument that ‘place’ should play an increasingly prominent role in public policy making. As investment and people are now more mobile than ever before, considering the quality and potential of a place becomes ever more important. As noted by FitzGerald at the 2010 ICLRD Annual conference, quality places attract and retain skilled and talented people by providing a mix of natural, community, social, leisure, creative and cultural activities for themselves and their families. Determining on what a place-based strategy should focus starts with identifying what the location provides in terms of key assets, services and growth opportunities that shape day-to-day-life and economic opportunities. For policy-makers, this raises questions around innovation and creativity in the spheres of socio-economic, cultural and environmental development and governance – themes explored in much detail during this conference. Speaker slides are available for download below.
Welcome Session
Welcome Address Conference MC: Mr. Padraig Maguire, Senior Executive Planner, Meath County Council & ICLRD Advisory Board Member |
Session 1
What Role for ‘Place’ in Public Policy and Strategy?
Session 2
Place-Making in Communities – Learning from Others
Plenary Session and Close