1. “small interventions should encourage
Process Westport - Town Architect, Community Groups
change; with concerts and family events to
promote a sense of community in the town
centre”
There was acceptance that Carlow has been expanding for the past 20 years
and that now, with uncertain growth in the near future, there is an essential op-
portunity to set down a direction for the coming 5-15 years. The many commu-
nities of Carlow need to be brought together in order to develop an integral and
considered plan that ensures the town continues to progress through economic
Dundalk - Town Centre Manager difficulties.
BID/Autonomous Kinsale - Transition Town
“Carlow as a whole, needs to come to-
gether and create aspirations, progressive
ideas and forward thinking proposals”
This planning process should coincide with a simultaneous schedule of events
Stirling - Community Interest Corporation CIC that encourage signs of life within the town. The ongoing plan
and milestones
should be reflected through these events and in turn the milestones can act as
a benchmark to ascertain the successes and challenges of the overall process.
“there should be increased dialogue and
communication between the Town Council,
the Traders Group and other community
Ambitions for the Process
bodies”
- communication is constant between governance and community
The process of change implementation was discussed in detail during the work-
bodies
shop. It was felt that a fully democratic and inclusive process of participatory
consultation should be developed between the Local Authority and all who care - a cohesion strategy and framework has been produced to guide
about the future success of the town. It was felt that perhaps local interest development
groups, such as the Town Traders should be more proactive in making pro-
posals for change. This may assist in developing a progressive and forward
thinking dialogue between these parties. It was felt that the Town Council could - Carlow’s identity has evolved from small interventions involving
articulate whether there is a plan or aspiration for the future identity of Carlow strengthened relationships and incremental community driven needs
Centre and Tullow Street in particular.
While the scale of the challenge appears daunting and the current economic
context prohibitive, it was acknowledged that small scale incremental changes
and interventions could have a very positive effect on the character and identity
of the town.
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