space for play

It is ironic that here in the midst of the beauty of the natural landscape of the West of Ireland the issue of urbanisation, soulless housing estates and the lack of communal green space should raise its head. But there is no escaping this consequence of inflated land valuations - the more houses you can squeeze per hectare, the more the financial gain. No worries about sustainability, lack of community, services or even that most basic requirement - space for children to play safely and informally with their friends near home. Organised sports clubs and shuttling across town to friends' parties don't substitute for the simple spontaneity of children's play. Indeed, the UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child, states that children should have "full opportunity for play and recreation".

When the supply, design and planning of housing is in the hands of private developers it is hardly any suprise that profitability is the only guiding factor. The building of community (whatever that is can wait to another time!) and neighbourhoods with adequate social provision is an investment that only pays off in the long term with improved quality of life, less mental-health problems, better environmental sustainability, reduced crime and greater social inclusion. Putting a monetary cost on this of course isn't easy, but the question is why should we? Isn't it time that social cost got the upper hand over economic gain?

In Scotland, the Executive (ie the government) has announced plans to ensure that local authorities protect green spaces. Robin Harper MSP, leader of the Greens in the Scottish Parliament writes a brief guest column in this week's Sunday Herald on the issue and draws, the inevitable, comparison with Scandinavia. What of Ireland? We already have problems with access rights to the countryside never mind the growing urban blight.