Forty years of Irish planning: an overview

Abstract

The planning system has achieved much under very difficult and sometimes hostile circumstances. Much of our history exhibits the evidence of social divisions and, in recent times, a growing sense of individualism and the demise of social concern - there are echoes of Thatcher's 'there is no longer such a thing as society.' Also, in a country which has derived its independence from a land based revolution, and where land interests remain strong, concepts of land management and the redistribution of the windfalls from profits in land are often hard to swallow. But if planning is to be widely effective in achieving a balanced approach to the environmental, economic and social needs of Irish society, the profession needs to deepen its philosophical and theoretical roots. This review of the operation of the planning system also suggests that the profession needs to be more open to new educational approaches. If Irish planning is to claim its rightful place and meet the challenges ahead, there is a need for the profession and its cognate affiliates to speak with one coherent voice, representative of and with the support of all planners in the State and, hopefully, with the support of all planners on the island.