10 Minute Towns |Access i b i l i t y & Framework Repor t
While the €8.6 billion allocation for sustainable mobility in the NDP is focused on public transport schemes in the main cities, investment in improved infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists is also proposed and this will aid the uptake of active travel in towns and villages as well as cities. The €1.4 billion for Enhanced Amenity and Heritage in the NDP includes investment in areas such as public spaces, streets, built heritage, natural, cultural, and sporting amenities, and sustainable transport network. Together, these will further assist in enhancing the liveability of towns and villages nationwide. The RSES for the Southern Region outlines objectives within Part 6, section 2, ‘The Regional Transport Strategy’, such as: • To provide for the integrated development of sustainable transport infrastructure, including walking, cycling (including emerging e-modes) and public transport to accommodate the necessary switch from the private car, for the travel needs of all individuals in the region, in line with the stated government transport policy; • To support improved strategic and local connectivity; • To cater for the demands of longer-term population and employment growth, in a sustainable manner; • Supporting compact and smart growth through the achievement of mutual consistency between land use and transport planning, investment, and service provision.
A key objective of the NDP is the realisation of compact urban growth supported by sustainable mobility to create attractive urban centres. The Interreg EuropeMATCH-UP project will establish an analysis framework to ensure accessibility to key community facilities (i.e. education, health, and leisure) by walking and cycling is set at convenient levels to establish “10 Minute Towns”. While no policy position is made in this analysis the findings of the analysis of case study towns is used to inform a general framework for good practice implementation of RPO 176 “10-minute city and town concepts” which will be prepared to assist the MATCH-UP Regional Action Plan (a key deliverable under Interreg Europe), assist RSES implementation of sustainable mobility objectives and as a tool/ resource for Local Authorities. The RSES also discusses the “10 Minute Town” concept in RPO 176. RPO 176 states, “It is an objective to attain sustainable compact settlements with the “10-minute” city and town concepts, whereby, a range of community facilities and services are accessible in short walking and cycle timeframes from homes or are accessible by high quality public transport services by connecting people to larger scaled settlements delivering these services. Local authorities should ensure that decision making in relation to new infrastructure for improved connectivity is informed by an appropriate level of environmental assessment.”
13
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker