Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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My Department published statutory Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas (Cities, Towns and Villages) in December 2008. The Guidelines are accompanied by an Urban Design manual which sets out practical examples and best practice. The Guidelines state that sustainable neighbourhoods should be guided by the principle of universal design, whereby the urban environment is designed so that it can be accessed, understood and used by all people regardless of their age, size, ability and disability. The need for street design to incorporate the needs of people with disabilities is also highlighted. In relation to these and other access and inclusivity issues, the Guidelines recommend that planning authorities should consult the National Disability Authority's guidance on universal design of the built and external environment.

Last year my Department published the Government Policy on Architecture 2009-2015 which sets out the key areas for development in urban design and architecture. It promotes standards of excellence in the design of shared space, which includes aspects of universal design and accessibility. The documents referred to above are available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie. My Department is also working in conjunction with the Department of Transport on a Manual for Streets which will address design guidance and standards for streetscapes and related shared space, and will be guided by universal design and accessibility principles.