Imagining 2050 Athlone

Preferences and beliefs regarding future life in Athlone in the face of climate change focused largely on wellbeing.

With few futuristic or technology centered visions of Athlone, the focus was on getting the basics right in terms of housing and health.

The uncertainty and unpredictability associated with climate change stressed the need to maintain and invest on social infrastructure and enhance community bonds.

Visions of change for Athlone focus on actions to 'fix communities' rather than 'fixing the climate'. Sustainability/unsustainability was seen to be deeply connected to community empowerment and wellbeing, housing and mobility options. Engaging communities in climate action is essential but should be promoted through regular meetings, that are inclusive and diverse. Social clubs, the local PPN and other existing local groups are seen to have potential to faciliate greater engagement with local climate action issues.

Transport is highlighted a key area to promote sustainability in Athlone. Actions include the roll out of transport programmes such as supporting the provision of a rural bus scheme to ensure access to health services, shops, etc. Adequate service levels is key to improving trust in public service transport. Alternative mobility options include expanding cycling infrastructure and making it 'family friendly', building more walkways and cycle lanes in the town and expanding the greenway.

Air quality in Athlone is highlighted as an issue and seen to be aggravated by high volumes of traffic and congestion. To counter this a Park & Ride system in both ends of the town is required, as is the need to tackle commuter patterns associated with lack of housing.

Siting of new developments is seen as critical issue. A problematic legacy of flooding related to building on flood plains is an ongoing concern. While housing is a key issue for people, there is little support for the development of high rise buildings.

Long term solutions with a view to 2050 include:

• Investment in renewable energy following inclusive community process in siting and developing projects;
• Reconsidering settlement patterns and one-off housing type builds;
• Changing farming practices through knowledge sharing and development of supportive peer-to-peer networks;
• Providing greater incentives for forestry in a manner that includes farmers;
• Exploring re-establishment of older practices toward more sustainable lifesyles such as shopping local and reclaiming the market square;
• Development of an actionable flood management plan with clear steps and milestones.

• Greenway Corridor;
• Athlone IT;
• Motorway Interchange.

• Flooding;
• Traffic Congestion;
• Environmental Degradation;
• Industrial Pollution
• Inadequate walking/cycling infrastructure

Some of the distinguishing challenges for the older citizen in the future include poor health, isolation and diminished financial capacity. These issues were all seen to be exarcebated by the impacts of climate change and were identified as concerns in terms of access to healthy food, warm and energy efficient housing, mantaining connections in the community and mobility.

The “Farmer Citizen’ was portrayed as struggling to cope with harsher weather conditions, unfavourable supply chain dynamics and stricter environmental regulations. Growing isolation and lack of mobility choices was a key issue for the future farmer, reflecting a growing divide in rural areas around mobility and transport services and family income.

The young citizen was portrayed as being more motivated and active in mobilizing for climate change strategies. Interactions include strikes and social unrest. Uncertainty and undefined life paths due to climate disruption are perceived as a main challenge and ongoing issues with housing are expected to impact young people, more than other cohorts into the future. Mental health is identified as a concern for this age group.

For further information please visit our website

https://www.ucc.ie / en/imagining2050/