asked the Minister for Local Government the action he proposes to take to implement the proposals on low-cost improvement of the urban environment made by a section of OECD's environment committee.
Written Answers. - Urban Environment.
106.
While the Environment Committee of the OECD has issued a report by a sub-group on "Low-Cost Improvements of the Outdoor Environment of Urban Areas", no specific recommendations have been made arising from the report.
The report deals with a number of possible approaches to urban improvement, short of comprehensive redevelopment. They include traffic measures; improvement of social and recreational facilities and measures to improve the appearance of buildings and spaces, and to conserve heritage features.
So far as local Government is concerned these are matters for local authorities to consider in the circumstances of their areas and, ideally, in the context of the review of their development plans. Many of the suggestions made in the report are matters to which I have repeatedly directed the attention of local authorities. For example, I have encouraged them to include, as part of their housing programmes, the preservation and development of the residential and other amenities of innercity areas. I have spoken on numerous occasions about the various ways in which local authorities can contribute to the conservation of our built environment, without necessarily becoming involved in grandiose or expensive schemes. And, of course, I have always stressed the value of more effective public participation in planning a matter which is also referred to in the report.