Page 13 - WCC Issues Papers WEB

The Action Plan recognises that the
key to rural revitalisation rests with
the rejuvenation of towns and
villages. It aims to make them more
attractive places to live and visit,
and to increase rural recreation and
heritage led regeneration. The

scheme also aims to increase the
number of visitors to rural areas by
12%. The schemes will be co-run
though the Department of Arts
Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the
Department of Housing, Planning,
Community and Local Government
and the Heritage Council. The
Council will play a lead role in

planning for, administering and
facilitating these schemes.

It is envisaged that the
redevelopment of towns and
villages, both through these Urban Design and
schemes and through the Council’s Place Making

own resources, will include New development must respond
improvements to playgrounds and positively to the unique elements
footpaths, tourism amenities, public which make up its context, such as
art pieces and a wide range of the street layout, urban grain,
works to improve the streetscape building form and materials,
and public realm of towns and surrounding uses and local climate.
villages, repair and improvement of It should respond to the historical
heritage structures, local development of the town yet have
infrastructure and rural recreation. its own ‘sense of place’ and be of

our time. It should be well
connected and integrated with
surrounding places, allow for ease
of movement and contain attractive
open spaces and public realm. It
should also be a visually and
physically attractive place to live,

work and visit.

12