Civic leaders from local government, higher education, and the business community came together to sign a Greater Galway Charter this week.
The Charter is a manifesto for long-term strategic thinking and planning for the region, an expression of the values which will deliver the kind of sustainable, inclusive, resilient and proud city which Galway can become over the next 50 years.
The initial signatories were Mayor of the City of Galway, Fine Gael Councillor Eddie Hoare; President of University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh; President of Atlantic Technological University, Dr Orla Flynn; and President of Galway Chamber of Commerce, Dermot Nolan.
Mayor Hoare said, “The signing of the Galway Charter represents an enormous opportunity for discussion and real public engagement on the challenges and the unique opportunity which we face into here in the city of Galway.”
The Greater Galway Charter is intended as a living, working document, which is meant to stimulate community conversations about the kind of city people want to see by 2070.
Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh added, “When I was growing up, as Gaeilge we called Gaillimh ‘an baile mór’. Galway is a city now.”
“This Charter sets out a core philosophy and future vision to guide Galway’s future growth, for discussion and debate, and will provide a rallying point for ‘Sustainable Urbanism’ around which our city can coalesce.”
“I am very proud to have been involved, together with others, in this draft of the future, for the future.”
The Charter was launched at a special ceremony at St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, the setting for key moments in the history of Galway city over the past eight centuries.
Dr Orla Flynn spoke of the aim of Atlantic Technological University to harness collective strengths, particularly in architecture and the sustainable built environment.
“The Greater Galway Charter signals a new way forward for Galway City and I look forward to the ATU community making a strong contribution,” she added.
Dermot Nolan spoke of the long term commitment of the Chamber to a vision of the city, saying, “Believe me when I say that Galway Chamber, representing the business community will not be found wanting in terms of how we can continue to support and drive the ambitions set out in this Charter for the future.”
The document was produced by the Academy of Urbanism with the support of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland.
It was also signed the Chair of the Academy of Urbanism, Jas Atwal and President of the RIAI, Charlotte Sheridan.
The document was developed and finalised under the auspices of The Greater Galway Forum.
The themes of the Charter emerged from a series of public workshops and discussions organised during the Architecture at The Edge Festival in October 2022 and facilitated by the Academy of Urbanism and the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland.
It is available to read and endorse on the Academy of Urbanism website – https://www.theaou.org/resources/the-greater-galway-charter
