Challenges in the Development of Landscape Indicators for Local Authority SEA Reporting Dr. Gerald Mills, Senior Lecturer, School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy, Belfield, University College Dublin, Dublin 4. John Bradley, Senior Executive Planner, Forward Planning and Economic Development, Clare County Council, Ennis, Co. Clare Lianda d’Auria IAIA 2007 supported by EPA/ERTDI Programme ERTDI

Agenda 1.Study Area – tiered approach 2.Methodological Framework & Approach – Research Objectives and Targets - overview Assessment, Analysis and Management of Landscape Indicators framework 3.Local Authority - Influential Processes a)Planning - Process and Review b)SEA 4.Issues and Challenges IAIA 2007

North Clare LAP East Clare LAP West Clare LAP South Clare LAP Ennis DP Kilrush UDC Area Study Area Location: County Clare, Ireland Ennis SEA EPA/UCD/CCC - Indicator Development in Co. Clare using GIS IAIA 2007

Resource Assessment Present Data Acquisition Integration Analysis Interpretation Landscape as a whole Natural Cultural Aesthetic Aerial Photos O.S.I. Maps Databases Literature Research \ Fieldwork Pers. Comm. Definition Env. Attributes Components Select To represent on thematic maps Identify Assess Map GIS Databank Maps Reports Indicators c r i t e r i a Create Modify Analysis Final Indicator Set Implement    Methodological Framework and Approach for the Assessment, Analysis and Management of Landscape Indicators in Co. Clare Past Project Design Landscape Assessment SEA/EIA DPSIR framework GIS Definition Description Agenda Aims Objectives Future Presentation Planning & Management Framework Case Study Co. Clare West Clare Kilrush IAIA 2007 SEA process

SEA Objectives 1 SEA Indicators 3 predictionmonitoring Link between Indicators and other Aspects of SEA evaluationmitigationbaseline Targets 2 1.An objective is a statement of what is intended, specifying a desired direction of change 2.A target describes what results are required within a specific timescale 3.An indicator is the tool for determining whether or not targets are met indicatorsobjectivesTargetsindicators objectivesTargetsindicators IAIA 2007

SEA Objectives 1 SEA Indicators 3 predictionmonitoring Link between Indicators and other Aspects of SEA evaluationmitigationbaseline Targets 2 1.An objective is a statement of what is intended, specifying a desired direction of change 2.A target describes what results are required within a specific timescale 3.An indicator is the tool for determining whether or not targets are met indicatorsobjectivesTargetsindicators Kilrush DP Policies & Objectives IAIA 2007

DPSIR Framework at work relationships between Human Activities and the Environment (OECD, EEA) In Co. Clare? In Kilrush? Rural Pop. House Construction Area of open countryside Area Developed Protected Designations IAIA 2007

Tourism The Economy Housing Environment Transport and Access Retailing Services and Infrastructure Leisure, Recreation and Community Facilities Dev Plan: Key Issue Areas IAIA 2007

Dev Plan: Main Development Issues Zoning of lands Traffic management Tourism and economic development Environmental Protection, improvement and energy efficiency Leisure and recreational facilities Community facilities including childcare and youth facilities Retail and commercial development IAIA 2007

Topics Objectives Target s Indicators BiodiversityB1-protect the diversity of habitats, species and wildlife corridors B2-protect designated sites B3-protect the inland aquatic environment B4-protect the marine environment B5-promote integrated coastal zone management PopulationP1-protect and enhance people’s quality of life based on high quality residential, community, working and recreational environments and on sustainable travel patterns Human HealthH1-minimise the risk of pollution emissions including noise and vibrations from commercial and industrial process SoilS1-maintain the quality of soils S2-give preference to the use of derelict, disused and infill sites, rather than Greenfield sites S3-minimise the consumption of non-renewable deposits on sites S4-minimise the amount of waste to landfill from site Water W1-protect and enhance the status of aquatic ecosystems and, wrt their water needs, terrestrial ecosystems and wetlands directly depending on the aquatic ecosystem (quality, level, flow) W2-promote sustainable flow use based on a long-term protection of available water resources W3-reduce the impact of polluting substances to all waters W4-minimise effects of floods and droughts Air/ClimateA1-minimise all forms of air pollution A2-minimise emissions of greenhouse gases to contribute to a reduction and avoidance of human induced global climate change A3-reduce waste of energy, and maximise use of renewable energy sources Material AssetsM1-maximise use of the existing built environment including the re-use of vernacular buildings M2-maximise use of existing lands zoned for development within settlement boundaries M3-avoid flood risk and/or coastal erosion in selecting sites for development M4-minimise the use of non-renewable resources (sand, gravel) in favour of re-use of suitable construction and demolition material Cultural HeritageC1-protect and conserve the cultural heritage including the built environment and settings, archaeological, architectural and manmade features C2-conserve historic fabric of urban and rural settlement C3-to ensure the restoration and re-use of existing uninhabited and derelict structures where possible opposed to demolition and new build (to promote sustainability and reduce landfill) LandscapeL1-conserve and enhance values natural landscapes and features within them including those of geological value L2-conserve and protect cultural landscape including archaeological and architectural L3-to protect and enhance the character and aesthetic value of the landscape IAIA 2007

ExampleUse in SEA Objective 1 B1-protect the diversity of habitats, species and wildlife corridors prediction Target 2 - Maintain tree area up to Increase tree areas by 10% by 2014 evaluation Indicator 3 Area of trees (ha) Baseline monitoring Dev Plan: Objective-Target-Indicator IAIA 2007

Issues and Challenges Matrix – id issues, information, problems Maps/GIS - ditto Baseline data - existence Indicator – development Expertise – –Need for a multi-disciplinary team –In-house/consultants/facilitator? Overall use to Local Authorities Need to achieve a balance - theory v’s reality in planning objectives, targets and associated indicators IAIA 2007

School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4 ERTDI Forward Planning and Economic Development, Clare County Council, Ennis, Co. Clare Lianda d’Auria Final Comment & Thank you IAIA 2007

School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4 ERTDI Forward Planning and Economic Development, Clare County Council, Ennis, Co. Clare Lianda d’Auria Thank you IAIA 2007