Following the first conference on regional planning ever to be held in Ireland, in May 1965, this book was the first in a series on different aspects of development planning by An Foras Forbartha. It was hoped that this series would provide a forum for the ferment of ideas and ideals evident at this time in Ireland, as it reached for a richer social and economic life.

Contents

Introduction

Chapter I - The Development of Regional Planning

The Post-War Origins of Regional Planning

Regional Imbalance in Ireland

Socio-Economic Measures prior to 1963

The Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963

Foundation of Planning Institute, 1964

Planning for Urban ‘Growth Centres’

The Case for Primary Centre

Report on Development Centres, 1965

The Debate Continues

A Compromise is Reached

Implications of Government Policy

Alternative Proposals for Linear Development

Chapter II – Economic Versus Social Planning?

Planning and Social Change

Rural – Urban Entailments of Regional Planning

Whither Ireland?

Disadvantages of an Exclusivity City-type Culture

Advantages of Small-scale Society

Towards a Balanced Urban-Rural Culture

Practical Example from France

A European Consensus of Opinion

Notes to Chapter II

Chapter III – The Theory of Rural Centrality

The Original Idea, 1958

The Problem of Disappearing Villages

Village Viability in Ireland

Possibilities for the Larger Centres

The Commuter Revolution

The Centres Theory Confirmed

Satisfaction with Rural Residence

International Agreement about Rural Centrality

Notes to Chapter III

Chapter IV – Towards a Hierarchy of Regional Centres

The Problem of Criteria

The Relevance of Service Areas

How Determine Rural Service Centres

The Existing Pattern of Centrality in Ireland

Some Cross-National Comparisons

Historical Roots of Centrality Pattern

Relativity of raisons d’etre

Centres can Rise and Fall

A Classical Example

New Horizons for Irish Rural Centrality

The Limerick Regional Plan

The Limerick-Ennis-Shannon District

Notes to Chapter IV

Chapter V – The Economics of Industrial Location

The Case for Concentration

Arguments for Deconcentration

Economics and Small-scale Industry

Industry for the County Towns

Facilities for Rural Decentralisation

Problems and People

Notes to Chapter V

Chapter VI – A Revision of Theory and Practice

A Limited Role of the Economic Expert

Respect for Socio-Cultural Values

A More Adequate Community Framework

Meeting Problems of Local Administration

An Improved System of Local Government

County Limerick – a Concrete Example

Notes to Chapter VI

Conclusion

Notes to Conclusion