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ESPON: European Observation Network for Territorial Development and Cohesion:. Recent activities and forthcoming opportunities for researchers in Ireland Cormac Walsh & Cian O’ Callaghan. Introducing ESPON. European Observation Network for Territorial Cohesion and Development
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ESPON: European Observation Network for Territorial Development and Cohesion: Recent activities and forthcoming opportunities for researchers in Ireland Cormac Walsh & Cian O’ Callaghan
Introducing ESPON • European Observation Network for Territorial Cohesion and Development • Supporting EU territorial cohesion policy – Territorial Agenda of the European Union • Supporting a territorial approach to policy-making and national and sub-national levels • Providing an evidence-base for spatial planning policy
ESPON Projects • Priority 1: Applied Research – European scale analysis: demography, cities, climate change, rural development, globalisation… • Priority 2: Targeted Analyses – case studies, following initial ‘expression of interest’ by public bodies • Priority 3: Scientific Platform – Development of database of quantitative indicators • Priority 4: Capitalisation and Dissemination – demonstrating relevance of ESPON projects in practice
Next Call for Proposals • OpensJan 24th , closes end March 2011 • Info Day and Partner Café Brussels, 7th February • Applied Research Projects, Scientific Platform • Targeted Analyses: Expressions of interest from Public Authorities • All projects require partners from at least 3 countries • Private consultants can be part of research teams
ESPON in Ireland • ESPON Contact Point = NIRSA, NUI Maynooth • DEHLG represented on high-level Monitoring Committee • Website: www.espon-ireland.ie
ESPON in Ireland • Promote participation of Irish researchers, policymakers and practitioners in ESPON projects and networks • Promote engagement with the ESPON knowledge base and ESPON methodologies in Ireland • Ensure ESPON projects and reports accurately reflect experience in Ireland • Promote awareness of developments in European spatial planning and territorial cohesion policy among policymakers, practitioners and researchers in Ireland.
ESPON Ireland Activities to date • Review of ESPON 2006 Programme outlining implications for Ireland (Bartley 2009) • Summary Reports on selection of ESPON projects: • Demography • Rural Development • Cities and Agglomeration Economies • Pilot project with Mid-West Regional Authority: Application of ESPON results to Regional Planning Guidelines
DEMIFER: Demographic and Migratory Flows Affecting European Cities and Regions Demographic Trends in Europe DEMIFER Scenarios Typology of Demographic Status Policy Implications for Ireland
Demographic Trends in Europe • Slowing of Population Growth in Europe (0.5% per yr since 2000); Ireland = 2% per year (‘02 –’09); • Aging of the Population - in over 70% of regions: > 15% aged over 65; Ireland: 11% over 65 in 2009; • Net Migration to Rural Areas – Increasing percentage of rural regions with positive net migration –counterurbanisation; • Differential Impact of Migration on Age Structure – potentially leading to increased regional disparities; • External Migration increasingly important
Typology of Demographic Status • Variables: • % of the population aged 20-39 yrs; • % of the population aged 65 yrs and over; • rate of natural increase or decrease; • rate of net migration • Ireland: ‘Young Potentials’ • Young age profile, high natural increase, high net in-migration, lower risk of population aging • Northern Ireland: ‘Family Potentials’
A Typology for Ireland Same variables (1996 – 2006) Standard: 14 counties, net migration slightly higher than state average Urban Aging: low rate of population increase, out-migration, high % > 65 yrs Rural Aging: highest % > 65 yrs, but net in-migration Peri-urban Rapid Growth: Fingal, Meath, Kildare Unique Profiles: South Dublin, Galway City
Policy Implications for Ireland • Ireland is in a favourable position (even with recession); • Importance of linked demographic and economic scenarios for spatial planning – avoid both ‘underplanning’ and ‘overdevelopment’; • Significance of regional and county variations in age profile; • Potential for RPGs and CDPs to include assessment of social and community infrastructure requirements based on demographic analysis; • Need for increased recognition of regional scale dynamics of housing and labour markets
ESPON Ireland Contact: cormac.walsh@nuim.ie Web: www.espon-ireland.ie