Chapter 3 Housing and Sustainable Communities
This chapter supports SDG 11 through the intention to pursue high density compact development (p.71) which will support vital ‘15 minute’ accessible communities (p.74) with universally accessible public spaces designed to promote community, social interactions and safety (p.73). These objectives are in line with SDG GFI 11.3, inclusive and sustainable urbanization, and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management. The first suggested indicator for this is the ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate (SDG GFI 11.3.1). The goal of provision of a universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities (SDG GFI 11.7) is also relevant here. This can be demonstrated by the average share of the built-up area of cities that is open space for public use for all, by sex, age and persons with disabilities (SDG GFI 11.7.1). It is important that the plan considers the demographic data, and information on amenities and green or blue ways discussed elsewhere to demonstrate this important aspect of sustainable development.
This chapter also considers the eradication of homelessness by 2030, and the provision of housing characterized by lifelong adaptability for the particular needs of demographics such as the elderly, or those with disabilities (p.64). This is relevant to the goal of access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing, basic services and upgrade of slums (SDG GFI 11.1). The indicator in the Global Framework is the proportion of the urban population living in inadequate housing (SDG GFI 11.1.1).
The demonstration of this indicator may be challenging in terms of implementation of the Traveller Accommodation Plan. Chapter 3 affirms the importance of integrating the recommendations of the Independent Expert Review of Traveller Accommodation (2019). This report highlights the fact that Travellers are more likely to be at risk of homelessness, overcrowding and inadequate housing standards (p. 22) while halting sites were often oversubscribed with inadequate infrastructure for their needs (p. 77). However, the Expert Review (pp. 16) highlighted the difficulties in ascertaining the scale of need in terms of housing provision for Travellers due to quality of the information on the size, characteristics and accommodation of the Traveller population. If the goal of access to adequate housing and services is to be assessed per the global framework of indicators (SDG GFI 11.1) indicators, this is an issue that needs to be addressed by GCC. The Expert Group acknowledges that current methodologies do not capture the scale of the accommodation needs of the Traveller community. As a result, it is imperative that objectives for Traveller accommodation are integrated into all Local Area Plans and Strategic Development Zones Planning Schemes if the scale of need for Traveller accommodation is to be met.
• Monitoring plays a crucial role in understanding how effective the Development Plan objectives are in contributing to Ireland's commitment to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The Council will establish a methodology, based on a selection of appropriate indicators from the SDG Global Framework indicators. Therefore, each chapter should include actions and name the specific targets and indicators from the Global Indicator Framework which they relate to.
• These appropriate indicators will be included in Appendix 1 (p.327) and integrated into the methodology outlined in the Draft Strategic Environmental Assessment Report (p.60) and plan arising from a Public Sector Duty Assessment.
• GCC will undertake its required Public Sector Duty Assessment, across all aspects of the Councils responsibilities, within year 1 of the new plan. The plans and actions developed to address issues raised in the equality and human rights assessment will include the appropriate SDG indicators.
• The Chief Executive's two-year report will include a review of the progress achieved in relation to the SDGs and any recommendations necessary to ensure that Ireland's commitment to achieve the SDGs by 2030 will be realised.
• GCCN, as the Public Participation Network for Galway City should be named as a key stakeholder as provided for in the Local Government Reform Act 2014.
• The actions of this plan should integrate ‘Target 16.7: ‘Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels’ within Appendix 1: Implementation and Monitoring to center meaningful engagement of communities and young people in the implementation and monitoring of the plan.
The attainment of the SDGs is of crucial importance towards mitigating crises in the future, and securing the human rights of citizens, so cannot be separated from Public Sector Duty.