dev_report2011_cover_Layout 1 19/12/2011 16:41 Page 1 Chomhairle Cathrach na Gaillimhe Chomhairle Cathrach na Gaillimhe Plean Forbartha Galway City Council Development Plan Plean Forbartha Galway City Council Development Plan 2011-2017 dev_report2011_inside_Layout 1 19/12/2011 16:58 Page i Galway City Development Plan 2011-2017 Contents Foreword..............................................................................................................................................................................................................v Introduction .....................................................................................................................................................................................................vii 1 Overall Strategy Including Core Strategy..........................................................................................................................................1 1.1 Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................................................2 1.2 National and Regional Context.............................................................................................................................................................2 1.3 Development Plan Strategy..................................................................................................................................................................3 1.4 Settlement Strategy .............................................................................................................................................................................6 1.5 Transportation Strategy........................................................................................................................................................................8 1.6 Development Strategy........................................................................................................................................................................10 1.7 Environment Strategy.........................................................................................................................................................................12 1.8 Core Strategy......................................................................................................................................................................................13 2 Housing.......................................................................................................................................................................................................15 2.1 Aim, Context and Strategy..................................................................................................................................................................16 2.2 Neighbourhood Concept.....................................................................................................................................................................16 2.3 Neighbourhoods: Outer Suburbs ........................................................................................................................................................18 2.4 Neighbourhoods: Established Suburbs ...............................................................................................................................................20 2.5 Neighbourhoods: Inner Residential Areas...........................................................................................................................................22 2.6 Neighbourhoods: City Centre Residential............................................................................................................................................23 2.7 Low Density Residential Areas............................................................................................................................................................23 2.8 Mews Housing Development..............................................................................................................................................................24 2.9 Traveller Accommodation...................................................................................................................................................................24 2.10 Specific Objectives..............................................................................................................................................................................24 3 Transportation .........................................................................................................................................................................................25 3.1 Aim, Context and Strategy..................................................................................................................................................................26 3.2 Integration of Land Use and Transportation........................................................................................................................................27 3.3 Promotion of Sustainable Transportation ...........................................................................................................................................28 3.4 The Galway Transportation Unit..........................................................................................................................................................29 3.5 Integrated Sustainable Transportation Plan .......................................................................................................................................30 3.6 Specific Objectives..............................................................................................................................................................................34 4 Natural Heritage, Recreation and Amenity....................................................................................................................................37 4.1 Aim, Context and Strategy..................................................................................................................................................................38 4.2 Parks and Green Network ...................................................................................................................................................................39 4.3 Greenways and Public Rights of Way ..................................................................................................................................................42 4.4 Natural Heritage and Biodiversity.......................................................................................................................................................42 4.5 Coastal Areas, Canals and Waterways .................................................................................................................................................45 4.6 Urban Woodlands, Trees and Hedgerows............................................................................................................................................47 4.7 Child Friendly City...............................................................................................................................................................................48 4.8 Views of Special Amenity Value and Interest ......................................................................................................................................48 4.9 Agricultural Lands ..............................................................................................................................................................................49 4.10 Specific Objectives..............................................................................................................................................................................50 i dev_report2011_inside_Layout 1 19/12/2011 16:58 Page ii 5 Enterprise and Employment................................................................................................................................................................53 5.1 Aim, Context and Strategy..................................................................................................................................................................54 5.2 Enterprise and Employment Strategy .................................................................................................................................................55 5.3 Retail..................................................................................................................................................................................................59 6 Community and Culture ........................................................................................................................................................................63 6.1 Aim, Context and Strategy..................................................................................................................................................................64 6.2 Social Inclusion...................................................................................................................................................................................65 6.3 Community and Cultural Facilities ......................................................................................................................................................65