Innovation in Regeneration Conference

EU Co Funded Projects including THRIVE highlighted at Regeneration Conference in the PEACE Campus in Monaghan

The Northern and Western Regional Assembly and Monaghan County Council hosted a conference this week in the PEACE Campus in Monaghan Town to provide innovators, and experts in the field of sustainable regeneration a forum for evaluating the latest innovative regeneration projects across the island of Ireland. Over two days, regeneration practitioners and guest speakers from Ireland and Europe explored the role of innovation in regeneration.

Topics discussed included urban regeneration and the policy background supporting regeneration, vacancy rates and the importance of agglomeration economies for regional development.

Attendees also explored the concept of “Building Stories” to understand urban resilience, and the role of heritage and greenspace in sustainable regeneration.

The event included case studies on the Armagh City Townscape Heritage project, which aims to restore historic properties and create new spaces for businesses and residents and the Castleblayney Gate Lodge restoration project, renovating that derelict building to provide a modern public library, community, and cultural space.

There were presentations and discussions focused on biodiversity considerations in regeneration projects and highlighting the importance of preserving biodiversity and urban design and landscape architecture.

Also showcased was the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme (THRIVE) and various regeneration programmes, EU funding streams and their impact.

Colleagues from the Valletta Design Cluster in Malta shared a good practice case study from Europe, demonstrating how European co-funding and the New European Bauhaus brought a former slaughterhouse back to life and created a vibrant, beautiful and sustainable, shared community space on that island.

Overall, the conference provided valuable insights into innovative regeneration projects and the importance of collaboration, data, and sustainability in urban planning. All the presentations from the conference are available to download here: https://www.nwra.ie/innovation-in-regeneration-agenda/