Galway City SDG Working Group Policy Submission on SDGs in the Draft Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029

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.

Chapter 5 Natural Heritage, Recreation and Amenity

Chapter 5 contains an audit of various ecosystems in Galway city and its environs, including both green and blue spaces, community spaces, and agricultural lands that serve as reservoirs, and corridors that support biodiversity (pp. 119-120 & 126-8). Of relevance to SDG 13, Climate Action, SDG 14, Life Under the Water and SDG 15 Life on Land, Galway city and its environs are noted to contain ecosystems that support biodiversity and climate change mitigation potential through carbon sequestration, which also require management and planning to conserve resources and manage climate related impacts such as flooding and biodiversity loss (pp. 117 & 130).

This is a significant task as Galway has one of the highest percentages of protected habitat in Ireland at 29%[1], however the quality of conservation is unfavourable in 91% of EU protected habitats across Ireland[2]. It is noted that it is the intent of GCC to protect the environment by ensuring that planning, adaption and mitigation activities and development respect a number of European Directives including Habitats, Birds, Water Framework and Floods Directives (p.118). This addresses the requirement of SDG 14, to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development and SDG 15 to Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss. Demonstrating that this has been achieved will require some consideration.

For example, in relation to SDG 15, Life on Land GCC intends to ensure the conservation and restoration of biodiversity by protecting the quality of the city’s open spaces and natural resources and linking them together into a green network to provide for their sustainable management and enhancement.  A primary commitment in the National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017-2021, which has been integrated into the Galway City Biodiversity Action Plan 2014-2024, is to move to a level of no net loss of biodiversity through implementation of actions including for mitigation measure (p.117). This can be indicated by demonstrating compliance to SDG GFI 15.9.1 (a) established national targets in accordance with national biodiversity strategies and action plans and the progress reported towards these targets; and (b) integration of biodiversity into national accounting and reporting systems, defined as implementation of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting.

Also, of relevance to SDG 15, urban woodlands and trees are recognised as an important resource in the city and environs (p.134) and it is stated that sustainable management of this resource will be implemented going forward (pp.134 & 141). SDG GFI 15.1 required that by 2020 the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, is ensured in line with obligations under international agreement. The indicators are forest area as a proportion of total land area (SDG GFI 15.1.1) and the rate of progress towards sustainable forest management (SDG GFI 15.2.1). It would be useful in particular to know whether this has been SDG GFI 15.1.1. has been achieved, as a baseline to considering the progress towards sustainable management (SDG GFI 15.1.2). What constitutes sustainable management would need to be defined, in order for progression towards this goal to be assessed.

This chapter also contains a consideration of invasive species and notes that legislative controls are in place under the EU (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 recognising the adverse impacts of these species on the environment and economy (p.128). It may be the case that the SDG GFI (15.8) the introduction of measures to prevent and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species by 2020 has already been achieved as the indicator is the proportion of countries adopting relevant national legislation and adequately resourcing the prevention or control of invasive alien species (SDG GFI 15.8.1). If this is the case an audit of biodiversity will also be of relevance here, to support an outline of relevant measures in place and an assessment of the outcomes of any actions prescribed in order to demonstrate if resourcing is adequate.

[1] https://irelandsdg.geohive.ie/apps/irelands-life-on-land/explore

[2] National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017-2021

Chapter 7 Community and Culture

This chapter gives consideration to SDG3, Health and Wellbeing, by setting out the intent to support the participation of the city in the National Healthy Cities and Counties of Ireland Network and the implementation of the Healthy Galway City Strategy 2019- 2021. Of relevance to measurable items on the SDG GFI there is a stated intent to support the development and expansion of existing healthcare infrastructure by the HSE, statutory and voluntary agencies and private healthcare providers, including community-based care, mental health and social care services as appropriate, in accordance with the local need and the regional role of the city (p.196). The attainment of progress can be measured by an adaption of SDG GFI 3.5.1: Coverage of treatment interventions (pharmacological, psychosocial and rehabilitation and aftercare services).

The chapter also contains items of relevance for SDG 4 Quality Education. The intent is to support the ongoing development and provision of third level education, and community based further education and lifelong learning in the city while ensuring those opportunities are accessible for people with disabilities (p.194) This can support the attainment of  SDG GFI 4.4 that by 2030 there will be a substantial increase in  the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship . This can be partially measured by SDG GFI 4.4.1, the proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill. It is also important to consider disparities in educational attainment under SDG GFI 4.5. So, access to education as supported by the expansion of educational infrastructure can be measured by SDG GFI 4.5.1 Parity indices (e.g., female/male, rural/urban, bottom/top wealth quintile and others such as disability status, minority groups).

This chapter has an action of relevance to SDG 10, the Reduction of Inequality and to a limited extent SDG 4 Gender Equality. It is the intent to facilitate the development of childcare facilities, including afterschool services, at a number of suitable locations, within residential areas, places of employment, the city centre, neighbourhood and district centres, schools, in the vicinity of educational and community establishments and adjacent to public transport nodes in consultation with the Galway Childcare Committee (p. 195). By proactively promoting social inclusion, through the provision of community facilities (p. 190) this aspect of the plan may support the social and economic participation of women in the labour force. This can be measured by SDG GFI 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 per cent of median income, by sex.

In terms of SDG 11, the Council recognises the importance that availability and access to community, social and cultural infrastructure brings to quality of life as experienced in the city and the difference it can make to people’s lives (p.183-4). To achieve this end, it intends to support development in collaboration with key stakeholders, and public participation that affords inclusive, accessible opportunities for everyone that contributes to a high quality of life and wellbeing for all who live work and visit the city (p.184). This will be underpinned by a Social and Community Infrastructure Audit in conjunction with the LECP/LCDC and relevant stakeholders to establish a baseline of services in the city and to ensure adequate community facilities are provided to serve the existing and future targeted population of the city (p.198).The indicators that are of relevance to these actions are SDG GFI 11.3.2: Proportion of cities with a direct participation structure of civil society in urban planning and management that operate regularly and democratically; SDG GFI 11.7.1 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; and SDG GFI 11.a.1 regional development plans that (a) respond to population dynamics; and (b) ensures balanced territorial development.