Urban Design and Placemaking

Urban Design involves examining all elements that contribute to a place (buildings, uses, streets, footpaths, open spaces) and ensuring that those elements create an attractive and distinct environment. Public realm is defined as all external spaces that are publicly accessible, including streets, parking areas, footpaths, squares and parks. A high-quality public realm enhances the character of any place and encourages people to utilise and enjoy public spaces, thereby contributing to placemaking and the overall vitality of an area. Measures to improve the public realm can include harmonising signage and reducing overall visual clutter by adopting a consistent approach in terms of street furniture, lighting and paving.

Questions to consider

Q. What urban design standards should apply in Castlebar?

Q. Is there adequate provision of street furniture in the town? e.g. public seating, planters?

Q. What are the unique features of Castlebar’s urban environment that should inform future policy?