SRA Regional Action Plan MatchUP Final Version February 2021

Regional Action Plan the Role of Modal Interchange to Foster Low Carbon Urban Mobility Part 7: MATCH-UP Project Impact 7

new framework and methodology to assess the “10 Minute Town Concept” under the RSES for all the key towns in the Region. This will ensure that SRA map a range of community facilities and services that 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 and will highlight any deficiencies. Each LA will then use this as the basis for Local Transport Plans and seek funding for infrastructure improvements to address any deficiencies identified. This initiative will ensure that the growth in key towns adheres to the “10 Minute Town concept” and will assist in reducing the reliance on the private car by allowing people travel using low carbon sustainable transport options. These initiatives also have a wider impact as they allow SRA to create more active, sustainable and inclusive communities that will improve the overall well-being and quality of life of citizens and supports community initiatives for new uses for existing vacant buildings and under-utilised open spaces. Making the Southern Region one of Europe’s most creative, innovative, greenest and liveable regions.

Within the Southern Region, it is predicted that the population will increase by about 360,000 by 2040 this growth and the infrastructure to support this growth needs to be undertaken in a manner that reduces the reliance on private cars and creates compact growth so that Ireland can meet its future emissions targets. Through MATCH-UP, SRA are introducing a new implementation process under the SEROP Priority 5 (6e), whereby following selection and approval of a project, SRA create a framework to review these projects and incorporate recommendations for low carbon urban mobility and modal interchange improvements. By introducing this additional implementation stage, SRA can ensure that all future public realm improvements also incorporate where possible low carbon urban mobility and modal interchange improvements. The objective of this policy improvement is to ensure that every opportunity is taken to increase non-private car commuting by improving access to public transport, improving cycle lanes, increasing pedestrian priority areas and improving modal interchange, which in turn will reduce carbon emissions.

In addition, SRA will be using the learning from MATCH-UP to assist in introducing a

Southern Regional Assembly | Regional Action Plan

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