Planners must look to build up, says expert

PLANNERS and policy makers must become more open to high-rise developments if we are to deliver a sustainable transport network and make urban living sustainable, the Irish Institute of Chartered Surveyors was told yesterday.

Institute president Felix McKenna said planning, land use and transportation policy must become more integrated and that means putting a definitive end to urban sprawl.

Mr McKenna said that if apartments are to be bigger and more eco-friendly, as planned by Environment Minister John Gormley’s regulations, developers will be sanctioned to build higher-density projects.