Government Public meetings on Sustainable Architecture policy

THE DEPARTMENT of the Environment and the Irish Architecture Foundation are to hold a series of public meetings to consult people about a new State policy on architecture, which will put more emphasis on environmental sustainability.

The new policy is being developed by a steering committee appointed by Minister for the Environment John Gormley and chaired by Prof Loughlin Kealy, who is to step down as head of the school of architecture at UCD.

The Minister said it would address key issues that have arisen since the publication of the first policy on architecture, Action on Architecture 2002-2005, by placing more emphasis on sustainable development and urban design. Mr Gormley said the public consultation exercise, called "Conversations about Architecture and the Built Environment", was critical to ensure the maximum level of public input.

Nathalie Weadick, director of the Irish Architecture Foundation, said it also saw the round of public meetings as "an essential and vital opportunity to listen to the public".

Public meetings are scheduled for Galway (May 29th), Waterford (June 3rd), Cork (June 4th), Limerick (June 5th), Carrick-on-Shannon (June 9th), Athlone (June 10th), Swords (June 11th) and Dublin (June 12th).

More information is available at www.conversationsaboutarchitecture.ie

The meeting in Cork begins at 6.30pm and ends at 8.30pm. Refreshments served at 6pm.

Places are limited for all of these events. To attend, please reserve a place by contacting Mary Colette Sheehan, Event Manager at the Irish Architecture Foundation (01) 670 8621.

Located at University College Cork's main entrance on Western Road, the Lewis Glucksman Gallery is a 10 minute walk from the city centre. It is a 40 minute walk from the train station which is well served by taxis. Buses leave from the city centre regularly, journey time 10 minutes. The No. 5 or No. 8 buses stop at UCC.