LAWP National Conference 16 May | Upscaling & Mainstreaming Nature-based Solutions
including Water Quality, Flood Risk, Biodiversity & natural Heritage, Amenity & Climate mitigation
National Conference | Upscaling & Mainstreaming Nature-based Solutions including Water Quality, Flood Risk, Biodiversity & natural Heritage, Amenity & Climate mitigation
May 16th 2024 in Dundalk and also online
Dear Landscape Architects, Planners, Engineers, Architects, Environment and Parks Professionals, Biodiverstiy and Climate Action Teams, TRO's and those involved in surface water management,
The benefits of this Local Authority Waters Programme National Conference on Upscaling and Mainstreaming Nature-based Solutions include Water Quality, Flood Risk, Biodiversity & natural Heritage, Amenity and Climate mitigation. Minister Malcolm Noonan will launch the event. The attached flier outlines the programme of speakers and the link. Please note: - This event is CPD approved by ENGINEERS IRELAND
Background
This event forms part of the journey to develop and integrate Nature-based solutions across Irish sectors from planning to construction. It follows the polling from the original URBAN PLANNING AND NATURE BASED SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT Webinar in November 2020 and subsequent Nature-based solutions webinars, in support of teams working on Active Travel, URDF, RRDF, ORIS, CLAR, Town Centre First, transport & roads, infrastructure, housing, planning, architecture/landscape/parks, climate action, biodiversity & heritage and environment. Consensus from the original webinar (and subsequent ones) was that whilst Nature-based solutions plays a very significant role in the protection of Water Quality, Flood Risk, Biodiversity and Public Wellbeing. 81% of respondents (sub-set of n=500) were of the view that implementation was poor in Ireland. Deficits were identified across Policy, legislation, leadership, governance, technical guidance, training, local authority capacity and funding. LAWPRO together with the DHLGH and a range of partners including the professional bodies have been working on the development of a national implementation strategy.
This conference widens out the focus to examine Nature-based solutions not just in the urban space, but also rural, coastal and riverine contexts. Upscaling and Mainstreaming is key to moving from one offs and pilots to true integration and effective outcomes and the conference will examine this with International and Irish partners.
The conference will include (also see flier attached):
- Launch of the NBS implementation strategy (developed through wide consultation across LAs and other sectors) with covering urban, riverine, rural and coastal contexts
- Examples of different state agency approaches
- Professional body views and results of recent multidisciplinary workshop
- Educational links
- Panel discussion with Government Departments and sectors
As identified by those we have engaged across the sectors, in reality successful Nature-based surface water management requires a multi-disciplinary approach within Local Authorities which is why we are encouraging the participation of all relevant sections.
Nature-based surface water management can be applied at all scales of development, from one off housing, roads to large scale industrial and urban development.
The event is free but attendees need to register via the flier or the link here:
Many thanks,
Fran
_________________________________________________
Dr. Fran Igoe | Southern Regional Coordinator
Local Authority Waters Programme
The Lodge, Ballingarrane Estate, Clonmel, Co Tipperary, E91 X370
(T) 0761 066237 / (M) 087 4114206
LWAP NbS Conference Programme
