Compact Growth

Ireland’s sprawling pattern of development has long been of concern for economic, social and environmental reasons. It results in higher costs of providing public services and infrastructure, and leads to high car dependency to meet daily needs. Ireland’s long term spatial plan, the National Planning Framework, sets out an alternative vision to this long-term pattern based on compact growth.

Compact growth involves having more growth within the boundaries of cities, towns and villages. It includes developing new walkable neighbourhoods and making use of vacant and derelict property. NESC’s work on this topic examined Ireland’s performance in seeking to move to a pattern of compact growth, and the obstacles that will need to be overcome. A Council Report, Deepening Compact Growth in Ireland, was published in May 2025, outlining recommendations on how further progress can be made.

Please click here to access the full report and its corresponding secretariat paper.