Carlow Town AGE FRIENDLY TOWN 2014 REPORT - Collaborative Planning in Action - Age Friendly Ireland
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Carlow Town
AGE FRIENDLY TOWN
2014 REPORT
Collaborative Planning in Action
1
“ An Age Friendly Town is a town where the
community understands and responds to
”
the needs of older people.
Age Friendly Ireland
2
Contents
Executive Summary ....................... 4
Introduction .................................. 7
National Age Friendly Cities & Counties Programme AFI ........................... 7
Objective, Scope and Structure AFI ......................................................... 8
Strategic Plan Developed with Older People, Not For Them AFI ................ 9
Age Friendly Town: Vision, Aims &
Outcomes ....................................... 9
Vision & Aims ........................................................................................ 9
National Age Friendly Outcomes ........................................................... 10
Research & Geographical Mapping11
Town Profile ........................................................................................ 12
Mapping Hard & Soft Assets ................................................................. 13
Demographic Profile ............................................................................. 14
Consultation ................................16
On Street Consultation ......................................................................... 17
Walkability Audit .................................................................................. 18
Stakeholder Interviews ......................................................................... 21
Older Person Consultations ................................................................... 22
Action & Implementation Plan ....23
Next Steps ...................................50
3
Executive Summary
“It’s not Innovation which is going to change anything, it’s a new mindset”,
The above quote was a quote made by an international town planning consultancy
on twitter – Urban O Regional, which I thought was apt for Carlow Town after the
preparation of this document.
Carlow Town has embraced the concept of Age Friendliness with a sharp enthusiasm
that has brought the outcomes of an Age Friendly Town to the forefront the
planning department, local authority personnel, local stakeholders and of course the
older generation in the town.
A significant public participation and collaboration process has been undertaken
which led to a number of findings. Indeed it is the public collaboration process which
has defined this report and further work on the Age Friendliness of Carlow Town
needs to fully embrace the public collaboration model.
It is evident at this early stage that the built environment and its resultant issues
take precedence in priority for the older people of Carlow Town. It is also evident
that the town has changed spatially and a perception exists amongst the older
persons that they have been left behind and their voice is forgotten. Indeed
throughout my semi-formal consultations and meetings, feelings of loneliness and
invisibility exist for older people in this urban environment and the delight at getting
to discuss issues that affect them in their town were openly discussed with solutions
to most issues proffered without prompting.
The highlight of the process so far has to be the walkability audit and the clustered
priority maps which allowed older persons to design elements included in this report.
Many issues were discussed and it was generally felt that there is a perceived lack of
coherency and collaboration between the local authority and the older generation.
From a visual inspection of the town the lack of coherency can be seen with
examples ranging from well designed and finished public areas with attractive
seating and strategically positioned bins to poorly maintained pedestrian areas, lack
of adequate disabled spaces and underutilised loading bays.
Older people generally felt overwhelmed with local area and development plans and
could not understand the implications of these documents, in general they did not
contribute or collaborate and there did not appear to be much non-legislative
4
appointed opportunity to discuss these issues with the local authority. In contrast
the local authority seemed to perceive a lack of issues with older persons, maybe
simply due to their lack of voice on development plan matters. I learnt a lot from my
discussions with older persons, lessons that I would never had learnt if I had not
engaged with them. It was also interesting to understand the role of the local
authority and their continued exhaustive priority list.
The next stage of the process is to implement the actions raised in this report and
the steering committee will have to be the main stakeholder in the process of
implementation.
However smaller and more realistic actions in the short term represents an
opportunity to intervene at a micro-level to improve older persons quality of life, in
actions that really matter to them – as they have told us what they want. For
instance a proposed pilot scheme to provide age friendly parking spaces, near a
much used public building (Post Office) in an already underutilised space (loading
bay) for a short period of time (9am-1pm) on Fridays to facilitate older person
collecting their pension would make a huge positive impact on older persons lives.
The buy-in and commitment from the traffic warden to police this pilot scheme for a
short period of time is critical, however this can be achieved and the results should
help formulate a long term age friendly parking policy in Carlow which I suspect will
be copied in many towns in the future.
Signage, bins and seats in the town are also to be given an open discussion with
hopefully some coherency between the relevant departments that undertake the
installation and design of these urban assets. During my consultations with older
persons, leaning posts as opposed to seats were recommended on a number of
occasions, along with the more unusual “swinging seat” at bus stops proposed by
the Age Friendly Chairperson Mary White. Due to the sheer size of Carlow Town,
further consultation, similar to the clustered map which shows the priority areas,
would be advantageous in selecting the locations of urban furniture.
A recurring theme, mostly with stakeholders and local authority representatives was
in the issue of attainable finance and how much capital budget is available, an
answer that I had to give in the negative, which underlines the extent of the job
ahead but to refer to the opening quote again - “It’s not Innovation which is going
to change anything, it’s a new mindset”, indeed this new mindset, which
collaborative planning can form the basis of change is paramount to the future of
Carlow Town as an Age Friendly Town.
5
Carlow, an ‘Age Friendly Town’
6
Introduction
This Age Friendly strategy for Carlow Town was prepared on behalf of Carlow Town
Council, supported by Age Friendly Ireland (a non-profit organisation), as part of the
Age Friendly Towns Initiative in the Leinster Region. This strategic plan accurately
identifies the positives and areas for improvement in Carlow Town. It is hoped that
through the Age Friendly Towns initiative these challenges can be effectively acted
upon by the relevant stakeholders, agencies and organisations.
The following section will explain the context of developing an Age Friendly strategy
in Carlow Town and states the wider Age Friendly Cities and Counties National
Programme; the overall aim and objectives of the strategy; identifies the key
stakeholders involved in the process and why the implementation of an Age Friendly
Strategy is important for older people living in Carlow Town.
National Age Friendly Cities & Counties
Programme
The Age Friendly Cities and Counties Programme (AFCCP) is an in initiative of the
Age Friendly Ireland and is aligned to the World Health Organisations (WHO) Age
Friendly Cities Programme which is operational in 33 towns and cities across the
world. The programme was established in response to the ageing population of
Ireland and a realisation that we need to start planning now for this unprecedented
demographic shift.
Within Ireland, the programme has already been adopted by 19 counties, with the
overall aim to make every county in Ireland ‘Age Friendly’. County Town signed up
to become an Age Friendly County in 2013 when the Town Clerk, Michael Brennan,
committed to the process. In each county, the programme is managed by an Age
Friendly Alliance group which is chaired by the County Manager and is made up of
the key decision makers in the county including the CEOs of local partnership
companies, the HSE, the Chief Superintendent of the Gardaí and the Mayor.
Essentially, the AFCC programme engages with organisations who are currently
working with the community and looks to explore how they can better use current
resources to respond to the real issues for older people. To date, many initiatives
have been established under the programme which has made a real difference to
lives of older people in these communities.
7
The Age Friendly Towns (AFT) initiative falls under the AFCCP and is currently being
piloted in eight different towns, with two from each of the four regions. Carlow Town
was chosen as one of the pilot towns in the Leinster Region. The AFT initiative is
collaboration between Age Friendly Ireland, participating Local Authorities and the
Irish Planning Institute.
Objective, Scope and Structure AFI
This document outlines an innovative and strategic approach to try and improve the
lives of all people in Carlow Town by addressing the needs of one of the most
vulnerable groups in society, older people. The approach is built on the premise that
“If you design for the young you exclude the old, but if you design for the old you
include everyone.”
The overarching aim of the process is to make Carlow Town an ‘Age Friendly Town’,
with all the key agencies and organisations working together to promote and
maintain the best possible quality of life and health of older people and
to make Carlow Town itself a great place to grow old in.
The Historic Town Hall and New Development
Carlow County became an Age Friendly County in 2012 with a number of county
wide public consultations with older people from Hacketstown to Ballon to Carlow
Town. A comprehensive overarching county plan was developed using the World
Health Organisation’s framework for Age Friendly Cities and Communities to make
Carlow Age Friendly.
A substantial county alliance team has been set up, chaired by Mary White and as a
result of this alliance, a town plan proposal has been set up to develop an Age
Friendly Carlow Town plan which is the basis for this interim report.
8
As part of the Desk Research for the Age Friendly Towns project, key stakeholders
were identified in Carlow Town to form a local Steering Group. Contact was made
with these stakeholders to inform them of the AFT project in Carlow Town and
explain their primary role to assist either directly or indirectly in implementing
actions within this strategy. (See Appendix for a list of key local stakeholders in
Carlow Town)
Strategic Plan Developed with Older People,
Not For Them AFI
A key attribute of this Age Friendly strategy is that older people were central to
devising the recommended actions. Through their responses and contributions
gained during the consultation process, participants raised vital issues and solutions
which will be vital to developing the plan further and setting the priority actions that
will be implemented by the community and other relevant stakeholders.
This strategy was established from earlier consultations with older people and key
organisations working with them. It presents a vision of the new partnership and is
intended as a clear statement of aims and approaches, and an outline of practical
and cost effective ways to achieve them.
Age Friendly Town: Vision,
Aims & Outcomes
Vision & Aims
The Age Friendly Towns initiative is part of the wider national Age Friendly Counties
(AFC) programme, which is currently operational in 28 Local Authorities including
Carlow Town and is being rolled out nationally. The programme’s Vision is ‘to make
every county in Ireland a great place in which to grow old’.
9
The aims of the Age Friendly Towns Strategy are to:-
Improve the quality of life of older people living in the area.
Engage older adults in shaping and enhancing their communities for the
benefit of everyone.
Demonstrate the benefits of a multi-stakeholder planning approach, informed
and supported by older adults.
Learn ‘what works’ in this context and use the findings to inform better
approaches to planning for older adults.
National Age Friendly Outcomes
Nine outcomes have been identified as being important components to creating an
Age Friendly Space.
Age friendly refers to a place where all of us as we age can:-
1. Lead healthier & active lives for longer
2. Stay living in our own homes and communities
3. Get to where we need to go, when we need to
4. Be enabled by the built and social environment
5. Feel and be safe at home and out and about
6. Have the information we need to live full lives
7. Be truly valued and respected
8. Participate in social, economic and public life
9. Continue to learn, develop and work
During the consultation process the older participants were asked to prioritise the
outcomes by order of importance which will clearly define the most important issues
in Carlow Town and to get the necessary responses. Three outcomes clearly
emerged as the main areas of concern in the town and a summary of these issues
and the subsequent recommendations for action is highlighted in the following
section.
10The River Barrow and Town Park
11Research & Mapping
Town Profile
Carlow Town is the largest town in County Carlow.
The construction of the 14th century Carlow Castle, which was built on an island,
between the confluence of the Barrow and its sister, the river Burrow, which was the
catalyst for the current urban development of Carlow Town.
It is interesting to note that the Irish name of Carlow is “Ceather Loch” meaning
“four lakes”, whilst the four lakes are no longer present todays Carlow Town
landscape is characterised by the Barrow and its visually pleasing aspect.
Carlow Town is a town with two distinct personalities due to its spatial location with
its near neighbour Graiguecullen, Co. Laois. The natural barrier to development –
The River Barrow – split the area in a geographically unbalanced manner with the
western side of the river developing into Graiguecullen and the larger eastern side
into Carlow Town, administratively both towns are part of Carlow Town.
The historical town is based on a simple cruciform shape with Dublin Street on a
north-south axis towards Dublin and Tullow Street on an east-west axis towards
Tullow. The arrival of the railway formed a spatial barrier to the east whilst the
Barrow formed a spatial natural barrier to development to the west.
The main urban streets of Carlow are Dublin and Tullow Street, which are attractive
streets with a number of mixed uses ranging from the corner shop to offices, pubs,
restaurants, library and museum. There is a low level of vacancy in the town centre.
In terms of recreational facilities Carlow is spoilt with GAA and soccer clubs but it is
the town park and River Barrow with its water based activities that give Carlow a
12distinct recreational asset when it is considered that County Carlow is a landlocked
county.
The town developed in a fairly regular circular pattern radiating outwardly,
throughout the 20th century, no doubt helped by government intervention by way of
employment generation such as the sugar and pig factories in the first half of the
20th century and Braun and Lapple in the later part of the 20th century. It was this
employment that generated the current population which determined the urban
development of the town.
Carlow Town is a compact town, with its historical core still relatively intact. The
celtic tiger era produced the Fairgreen Shopping centre, whist could not be deemed
strictly as an “out of town centre”, its location east of the historical town centre
represented a shift in the urban development of Carlow, that impacts the older
people of Carlow Town today.
Mapping Hard & Soft Assets
Desk research of the hard and soft assets of Carlow Town was commenced in May
2014 in order to compile a list of hard and soft assets in the town. As Carlow Town
is geographically a large town covering some xx sq.km, a list of hard and soft assets
are given in appendix 1 at the rear of this report.
Information was gleamed from official sources such as the Central Statistics Office
(CSO), My Plan, Pobal and Airo.
However the main hard and soft assets are shown graphically in Map. 2. The assets
shown on the map are the result of consultation with older persons in focus groups,
stakeholder consultations, walkability audits and on-street surveys. The map is not
exhaustive and shows in general the main hard and soft assets used by older people
in the town.
St. Fiacc’s House, St. Catherine’s day-care, Askea Day-care and Community Centre
along with the O’Brien and Delta Centres form the main nucleus of hard assets.
St.Dynmphas hospital and a number of GP and Health centres are available within
the town.
The historical town centre has the main churches and the main adult education
centres. The library and museum are centrally located around many pubs and
restaurants in Tullow and Dublin Street.
The two main shopping areas are the Fairgreen shopping centre which is located
east of the town centre and also the more central Haddens Centre and Dinn Ri
Centres, both of which are surrounded by a SuperValu and Tescos.
The Town Park and associated River Barrow area along with some 12km of
dedicated cycle lanes complete the main recreational hard asset portfolio of Carlow
Town.
13Map 2 shows the general hard assets (yellow), secondary hard assets (grey) located
in the town centre and also the location of bins, seats and pedestrian crossings. The
purpose of the map is to indicate the balance of hard assets in Carlow and their
spatial distribution and location.
Demographic Profile
Fig. 1
14In April 2011, Carlow Town had a population of 23030 persons, consisting of 11317
males and 11713 females. Of this total 2170 were aged 65 years and older, with 492
being over 80 years old. A further 1796 persons are between 55 and 65 years. For
the benefit of AFI analysis the number of persons over 55 is 3966 which represents
17.1% significantly larger than the national average.
In line with national figures, the ratio of males to females is approximately 50:50 in
all cohorts. As shown in the population pyramid below, this ratio changes to 55;45 in
favour of females in the over 65 cohort with 323 males and 382 females, which
underlines the fact that women often live much longer than men.
The population pyramid above shows how the population is structured by age and
gender. The very high birth rate nationally in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, which
reached peak in 1980 with 74064 births (todays 33 and 34 year olds) is a strong
distinguishing feature of the graph, as is the sharp fall in births over the subsequent
15 year period reaching a low point in 1994 (todays 19 and 20 year olds). The
recent recovery in births, particularly in the last four years is also evident. The
pyramid shape from the 35 and over age groups reflect the effects of mortality as
the population grows older.
As outlined in the map (Fig.1), the percentage of persons over 65 is higher in the
established residential neighbourhoods between the town centre and the train
station.
Non-Irish nationals accounted for only 8.5% of the population of Carlow Town
compared with a national average of 12%.
Carlow Town is considered a marginally disadvantaged area with the eastern part of
Graiguecullen a very disadvantaged area. However Carlow Town has a well educated
population, with two main colleges within its town boundaries (St. Patricks College
and Carlow IT). According to the 2011 census, over 57.5% of persons in Carlow
Town are educated to at least second level with a further 28.1% having attained
some form of third level qualification.
In terms of employment - 46.5% (10713 persons) aged 15 years and over in the
labour force are working and the unemployment rate at 26.1% is higher than the
national average (19%) for this area.
3319 of persons resident in Carlow Town were recorded as having a disability in
April 2011. A sizeable number of these persons (943 or 28.4% of the total) were
aged 65 years and over.
Persons with a disability were supported by a further 781 persons (306 males and
475 females) who provided regular unpaid personal help for a friend or family
member with a long-term illness, health problem or disability. Of these carers, over
20% provided care for more than 6 hours per day.
It is interesting to note that 10-20% of persons with a disability live close to the
15town centre whilst 20-75% of persons with a disability live on the outskirts of the
town centre. Essentially up to 75% of persons with a disability live within 2 km of
the town centre which is an opportunity to be investigated in this program.
There is the same number of older persons over 55 as they are children under 11 in
the town.
Consultation
Consultation Methodology in Developing the
Carlow Town Age Friendly Strategy
The basis for developing this plan came from consultation with older people in
Carlow Town and key service providers who assist older people. The
recommendations were established using four primary methods of consultation
which include:-
1. On Street Consultation
2. Walkability Audit on the Physical Streetscape
3. Interviews with Key Stakeholders
4. Consultation with Older People
The following will explain the process under the consultation methods outlined
above and summarise the findings to date:-
Tullow Street.
16On Street Consultation
On Street Survey, Tesco, Fairgreen Shopping Centre.
The on street survey for Carlow Town took place on two specific dates at two
separate locations. The Fairgreen Shopping centre and the Post Office were the
locations. Participants were within the age freindly age cohort and wer offered a seat
where they were given a questionaire to fill out. Many of the participants allowed the
form to be filled out for them as it gave them more time to think about their replies.
50 surveys were completed in total and in general the issues raised were as follows:
Carlow is a nice town with plenty to do for older people
The town park is very attractive
The town is car dominant
Bins are scarce
Seats are of poor design and in the wrong places
Pedestrian crossings are too quick and dont give enough time to cross,
especially at the post office
The location of disabled spaces are poor and scarce
There is not enough Garda presence in the town, on the street.
The town centre has shifted to the Fairgreen Shopping Centre which is hard
to get to...unless you have a car
The cycling routes in the town are great but need bike parking spaces
17Walkability Audit
The walkabity survey of Carlow Town took place on the 14th August 2014. The
survey concentrated on main walking routes between daycare centres and the town
centre. Four routes were chosen as follows:
Route 1 – O’Brien Centre to the Graveyard.
This route was 1 km long and is a regular route of the daycare patrons from the
centre to the graveyard.
Route 2 – St. Fiacc’s House to the Town Hall.
This route was from the daycare centre through the town park and ending in the
town hall. Another popular walking route.
Route 3 – St. Catherines centre to the library.
This is a route that takes in most of Tullow Street and passes a number of daily
builidngs used by participants such as the bank, local shops and public houses.
Route 4 – Town hall to the fairgreen shopping centre and back to the town hall. An
added route was inserted on this route which may become a future short cut from
the town centre to the fairgreen shopping centre (pending the CPO and demolition
of old buildings)
All routes were around the 1km long with good dry weather on the day of the walk.
The volunteer group consisted of approximately 25 persons, with each group having
a dedicated note taker(facilitator) and a dedicated photographer. In the days
precedeing the survey a detailed email was sent to each facilitator outiling the
structure for the walk and also a copy of the survey questions to be completed
afterwards in the town hall.
The personas of the participants fulfilled the Age Friendly and Universal Access
criteria with older persons, younger persons, visually impaired, wheelchair and
walking aid all participating.
After each groups walk, light refreshments were provided in the town hall and open
discussion was encouraged between the groups. The town engineer and town clerk
were in attendance. The results are incorporated into the Action and Implementation
Plan in this report.
Some common issues raised from Walkability Audit
There is a lack of coherence between the relevant departments in relation to
built environment issues. For example there are numerous types of seats,
bins and signs in the town and they dont appear to be strategically placed in
18the right locations.
There does not appear to be any coherence in relation to road works and
improvements with – what would seem to be an ad-hoc method of works.
In general the road marking of pedestrian crossings was very poor and must
be very hard for drivers to see the approaching pedestrian areas. Older
people are aware of this and they are nervous crossing the roads.
The general condition of roads and footpaths especially is very poor with
numerous issues of poor pavement occuring on all routes
Litter and dog droppings are abundant
Surface water drainage discharges directly to the pathway in most cases, this
freezes in winter time and is very dangerous, some older persons pointed out
a very simple solution to this issue
Wheelchair users find the routes particulary hard and dangerous
Somed pedestrian lights didnt work at all, others did not operate long enough
to cross and most were inaudabile
At specific junctions, where crossed yellow boxes are evident, cars parking
outside desginated zones posed a serious problems for visually impaired
persons.
Disabled spaces are in the wrong locations and there are not enough of them.
It would appear that the loading bays appear to be empty for long period in
town centre locations, whilst the Potato Market, a prime town centre location,
is dominated by taxis with very little drop off points.
19Reviewing Route 2 as part of the walkability audit in Carlow Town
20Stakeholder Interviews
A number of formal and informal stakeholder interviews were taken which gave a
good insight Carlow Town. Consideing the number of daycare centres in Carlow
Town the main stakeholders consulted were:
Edel Keogh – St. Catherines daycare Centre(HSE)
Arlene O’Connor – Planner, Carlow County Council
Joan Doogue – St. Fiacc’s House(HSE)
Margaret Moore – Carlow County Council
Fiona Dunne – Older Persons Network
Ralph Holmes – Community Garda
Turlough O’Brien – Towns Team
Eileen Brophy – Delta Centre
Josephine Coyne– Library and Muesum
The consultations were informal one to one meetings with an emphasis on attaining
information on the stakeholders perception of older peoples issues. The
interviewee’s area of expertise, work and experience was key to understanding the
percieved issues of older people with a view to informing both groups (stakeholders
and older persons) of each others issues with hopefully an opportunity to provide
solutions to the real issues as raised by older persons at the public launch and as
recommendeations in the final report.
Some interesting issues raised in the stakeholders meetings:
Motivating older persons to get out and about in Carlow is a hard part of the
stakeholders job, older persons perceive more danger in Carlow that appears
to be evidenced.
Older people are not considered enough in town plans and decision making
process – an example would be the location of seats and disabled parking
spaces.
Older people appear to be happy in Carlow and generally in good spirits, they
have seen the town change and are very observant, however they dont be
asked their opinion.
An opportunity exists for older persons to input decisions, especially built
environment decisions, in the town, some stakehopder expressed an opinion
that on older persons “think tank” would be beneficial.
Older perons could be given more responsibility in the town and could eaily
take ownership of specific issues to help improve the town. They have the
ability but their voice appears to be lost.
21Older Person Consultations
Older person consultations were generally informal, candid meetings, generally held
in the older persons place of choice (normally daycare centres, some were met at
shopping centres). Generally we talked about Carlow Town, what it means to them,
how it has changed, the towns good and bad points before finally asking for 3 things
that I as a planner could try and achieve with the plan. The findings were vey similar
with all participants and the majoirity of issues related to built environment issues.
However many older people gave indications of feelings of isolation and loneliness,
whilst still living in an urban area.
The main issues raised by older persons in my consultations were as follows:
Public participation could be greatly improved. They find it daunting to go to
the planning department to view plans and development plans and this makes
it hard for them to understand and comment. It was interesting to hear some
opinions on built environment issues that happened over the last years that
older persons had very strong veiw on. Their views were well articulated and
expressed with an urge of common sense and a perception that they could
have seen that happening. For example, some were aware that the Fairgreen
shopping centre was badly needed commercially but they were also aware
that the town changed immesurably since this town centre shift. As a result of
this change they fell isolated and dont like the extreme change and subseqent
loss of a sense of place of the old historic town centre. A mentality of “them
and us” seems to have developed, the them being younger people in general.
It was generally felt that a more thorough deisgn of the Fairgreen could have
happened – such as pedestrian access – which would have diluted the
problem considerably.
Older people are very dependant on the built environment. Paths, roads,
buildings and open spaces are very improtant to them, some in a cognitive
manner, some more obvious, the public realm in Carlow needs to create a
sense of place and a welcoming environment which considering its compact
size could happen over time.
Carlow Town is a car dominant town, the town is designed around the car
and the car takes precedent over pedestrians. This is very evidnet in Dublin
Street but possibly more so in Tullow Street, where an attempt has been
made to semi-pedestrianise the street, howver this simply has nbot worked
and most older people avoid it because of the speed and frequency of cars on
this street.
22 The 3 things generally asked for were:
1. Better pathways to the town, more dedicated parking in the town for older
persons and less through traffic in the main town area (Tullow Street and
Dublin Street)
2. More seats, bins and leaning posts
3. More consultation on the development of the town
PUBLIC PRESENTATION IN NOVEMBER
Action & Implementation Plan
The walkability audits, stakeholder consultations, on-street surveys and older person
consultations all gave numerous issues that affect older people in Carlow Town. The
reasoning behind consulting such different consultation processes is to give a
balanced view into the issues that affect older people and the perceived issues that
affect older people.
Unsurprisingly the built environment creates the most problems for older people,
with access and general desire lines to the town centre causing the most problems.
There are a number of findings from the consultations and the purpose of this
interim report is to determine a priority list from the findings based on short,
medium and long term objectives.
23An example of a priority cluster map which is the result of asking a number of
participants to place a pin in a map where they would like to see “Age Friendly
Parking Areas”. The larger the yellow circle the more pins. It can clearly be seen that
the post office was identified as a number 1 priority, followed by St. Church and the
Hadden’s car park. Similar maps were prepared for the locations of seats and bins
and also lost heritage items.
241 Outdoor spaces
& Buildings
Goal at County Level
“To improve pavements, public lighting, accessibility, seating and benches, green
spaces, public toilets in collaboration with the planning process”
Your Voice
“There is very little seating in Carlow and the bins are always full”
“Footpaths are in bad repair all over Carlow, I try and avoid Tullow
Street and Dublin Street”
“Carlow has changed so much in the last 20 years, sometimes I
wonder where old Carlow has gone”
Overview
This section gives an overview of the key issues and challenges that emerged under
the outdoor spaces and buildings (WHO) theme as part of the various consultations
undertaken in Carlow Town. The feedback from the public consultations in relation
to outdoor spaces and buildings were one of the most discussed themes. Carlow
Town has changed considerably in the last 20 years and older people appear to feel
a loss of “sense of place”. This was noticed by the reminiscing of older times, the old
employers, old buildings and down to lost items of heritage such as the metal
archway that used to mark the market where the town hall car park is now located.
This theme is most probably the most difficult to get the relevant stakeholders to
agree on actions as all the stakeholders have conflicting priorities. However it is also
the theme where small actions can make a major difference - such as the newly
erected nameplate signs for some old lanes in Carlow which is a starting point for
helping to foster a “sense of place”.
25It was also noticed at consultation stage that public seats and bins are a major
priority for Carlow Town, not only necessary but the design and location of seats and
bins is vital. It is especially important that bins are located away from seats as full
bins are not appreciated near seats.
Carlow Town lacks bicycle stands, despite having a magnificent 15km of cycling
lanes which needs to be addressed.
Small design changes such as looking at the arrangement of disabled car spaces in
the Haddens car park can be easily re-designed to be fit for purpose and better
serve older persons.
The most innovative suggestion is the introduction of an Age Friendly Parking area –
a dedicated parking area for older persons. Due to the parking bye-laws in force it is
suggested that a pilot project for a number of months be trialled to see if the
concept is workable. Essentially the provision of an age friendly parking bay – say
for example in the loading bay on Kennedy Avenue outside the post office – could be
used by older persons picking up their pensions on Friday mornings between 9am
and 1pm. The area could be supervised by the traffic warden to prevent misuse of
the concept and if the concept was successful, it could be introduced for a longer
term. The public consultation also identified additional age friendly parking areas
which have been submitted to the local authority.
26Issue Action Timeline Lead Status
Organisations
Short-Term (0 - 1
Years)
To pilot project an Age Local authority and parking wardens to work 2015 Roads Department, Results and
Friendly Parking Area in together to pilot an age friendly parking area Traffic Wardens and report of public
the town to determine if such an innovation would be Local Authority consultation
welcome as a long term solution to
have been
accessibility and social inclusion in the town.
prepared for
the steering
committee and
Install Bicycle stands local authority
Nameplate signs on older parts of Carlow to
Reintroduce “lost” be erected. The old arch over the town hall 2015
heritage items back into car park (Old Marketplace) to be re-erected.
their original locations
Medium-Term (2-3
Years)
Undertake a complete 2016 Roads Department, ,
seat, bin and signs audit Steering committee
of the town to lead to a and Local Authority
more uniform visual
27Issue Action Timeline Lead Status
Organisations
Long-Term (3-5
Years)
Review the disabled Haddens car park is an opportunity to 2015/2017 Age Friendly Public
parking spaces improve the existing parking arrangement to Steering Committee Consultation
requirement in Carlow be more age friendly. identifying the
and the location of these specific
spaces locations for
spaces has
been prepared
and results
submitted.
282 Transportation
Goal at County Level
Transport to hospitals, day care centres and doctors to be prioritised, improve
parking in the county, introduce parking for older people and increase information
availability in relation to transport issues
Your Voice
“I have to walk too far to get the bus, so I just don’t go”
“The pedestrian crossings don’t give me enough time to cross,
sometimes I get beeped!”
“I find access to the Delta Centre very long, why can’t I just walk
through Dynmpha’s?”
“I find it hard to park in town, the spaces are too close together
and I can never seem to get one near where I need to go,
especially on Friday (pension day)”
Overview
This theme identified the issues raised in relation to the walkability of Carlow Town.
A walkability audit was undertaken and a number of issues are areas in need of
attention were identified. The value of a public consultation with older persons who
rely on adequate public footpaths and pedestrian crossings is very important and
highlights issues not noticed in cars. The condition of footpaths in Carlow Town is
generally poor in the town centre area and there are a number of hazardous areas.
In addition the pedestrian crossings did not allow enough time for older persons to
cross and indeed 2 of the crossings did not work on the day of the audit. Clear
markings on crossings need to be addressed.
29It would appear that a lack of collaboration between stakeholders and service
providers may be an issue that needs to be addressed.
30Issue Action Timeline Lead Status
Organisations
Short-Term (0 - 1 Years)
To pilot project an Age Friendly Local authority and parking wardens to Early 2015 Roads Department, Results and
Parking Area in the town work together to pilot an age friendly Traffic Wardens and report of public
parking area to determine if such an Local Authority consultation
innovation would be welcome as a long have been
term solution to accessibility and social prepared for
inclusion in the town. the steering
committee and
local authority
Medium-Term (2-3 Years)
To approach local taxi and bus Steering committee to investigate the 2015/2016 Steering Committee
operators to investigate an feasibility of this proposal
innovative approach to short
distance transport routes in and
around the town
31Issue Action Timeline Lead Status
Organisations
Long-Term (3-5 Years)
Continue to investigate Continue to investigate improving the Dublin City Council,
improving the gradient and surface of the footpaths along the main Dublin Bus
surface of the footpaths along streets in the town and introduce
Tullow and Dublin Street and seating and bus shelters where
introduce seating and bus possible.
shelters where possible.
323 Own Homes &
Communities
Goal at County Level
Supporting older people to remain in their homes is a main priority along with
immediate intervention to help with local innovation schemes such as “Care and
Repair” and “Warmer Homes”
Your Voice
“I want to stay living in my home as long as possible”
“What will happen to my friends who can’t get a house (in
St. Fiacc’s)”
“I have home help but 30mins is not enough, I depend on
my family for help”
Overview
The main findings from the consultations in relation to staying in their own homes
and their communities, older persons communicated the natural desire to grow old
gracefully in well designed and proportioned houses, preferably their own where
they can make adaptions as necessary. The older persons residential communities
such as St. Fiacc’s give the perception of a happy medium with the residents well
catered for, in fact one of the biggest issues facing the residents in St. Fiacc’s is their
perception that they might not retain their home, which is a perception that is not
really relevant as the residents are nearly always long term residents. The model in
St. Fiacc’s is a good example of independent living units in close proximity to all
necessary social outlets.
33Some respondents in the consultation raised the issue of the speed at which
adaptations are done to their home and the level of red tape involved. Whilst all
expressed a very thankful attitude, there is room for improvement in getting
adaptations completed for older persons which allow them to stay in their home.
Carlow Town is well served by numerous service providers all with one thing in
common – to make older persons lives better, which is very commendable. However
some respondents expressed an opinion that there may be some duplication
between the service providers which active collaboration will have an intervention on
this aspect raised by the older persons.
The spatial arrangement of older persons homes is Carlow Town is relatively
clustered and there is an opportunity to undertake some evidence based research by
way of collaborative surveys to conclusively identify the issues effecting older
persons staying in their own homes. Such a survey may be very beneficial to future
planning needs of older persons in Carlow Town.
The OPRAH project, currently operating in Kilkenny is also a good model in
understanding and attaining to the needs of older persons and their living
accommodation needs, which could be rolled out in Carlow Town.
34Issue Action Timeline Lead Status
Organisations
Short-Term (0 - 1 Years)
Undertake a collaborative planning The locations of older persons 2015 Local Authority and Locations of
survey to determine short term staying at home have been broadly Steering Committee. older persons
specific needs for existing older mapped and a collaborative remaining at
people who are living in their own planning survey to be undertaken home have
homes. to listen to older persons voices been mapped
and to replay the information to
relevant stakeholders
Medium-Term (2-3 Years)
Service provider’s forum and Carlow 2016/2017 Steering Committee Carlow County
Town Age Friendly Steering and Local Authority Sub-Group are
Committee to work in a investigating
collaborative way to maximise this idea at
resources and avoid duplication to present
ensure the best outcomes for older
people to remain independent.
Long-Term (3-5 Years)
Older people will benefit from the Continue to investigate improving 2017/2018 Carlow County Sub-
Kilkenny based OPRAH (Older the gradient and surface of the Group, Steering
People remaining at Home) footpaths along Main Street and Committee and Local
programme which will map and pilot introduce seating and bus shelters Authority
services in the region to maximise where possible.
facilities for older people remaining
at home
354 Goal at County Level
Be Truly Valued
& Respected
To foster opportunities to generate intergenerational meetings, further education
and continued learning, more “community get togethers” and reduce the possibility
of loneliness and isolation in the home for older persons
Your Voice
“Old people are frowned upon if they stop for even a minute near
the playground, I would be afraid to start talking to anyone in the
park, but I love the park”
“Younger people just ignore me, it’s like they don’t even see me”
“Whatever happened to respecting your elders?”
I should be allowed to cycle my bike through the park – I am not
doing any harm”
Overview
The issue of intergenerational meetings was a recurring theme raised at public
consultation stage and also within discussions with older persons. The overall
opinion of older persons was that few if any opportunities exist for older persons to
meet and chat with younger persons. A perception exists with the older persons I
met with that younger persons don’t seem to respect older persons and their role in
the town. Sometimes the older persons feel invisible to the younger generation and
as a result the older persons generally tend to refrain from eye contact and
subsequent interaction with young people.
36In discussions with the various stakeholders it would appear that there have been
attempts to engage in intergenerational meetings which have petered out over time,
perhaps it might be beneficial to undertake smaller sized pilot projects that may
encourage interrogational meetings. The schools need to be a major stakeholder in
these projects if intergenerational meetings are to become prominent in Carlow
Town.
37Issue Action Timeline Lead Status
Organisations
Short-Term (0 - 1 Years)
To survey younger people for the Develop a working relationship 2015 Steering Committee
interest to support intergenerational with representatives of the local and Carlow
meetings schools Volunteers and
schools
Medium-Term (2-3 Years)
To undertake a pilot programme with Determine the level of interest 2015/2016 Steering Committee
the local schools to investigate the from both parties and the support and Carlow
opportunities for intergenerational for an intergenerational project Volunteers and
meetings schools
Long-Term (3-5 Years)
Continue to investigate and monitor Past research has shown that 2017/2018 Steering Committee
the requirement and support for support for intergenerational and Carlow
intergenerational meetings meetings has a tendency to Volunteers and
fluctuate. schools
385 Social, Economic &
Public Life
Goal at County Level
Create more and better opportunities for older people to participate in the
social, economic and political life of the town.
Your Voice
“Carlow Town is great for organising events, I really like events in
the Seven Oaks”
“If you don’t like dancing, there's not much else to do”
“I find the planning office very intimidating and hard to get
information from them”
“Planning has ruined this town – how are these decisions made?”
people crossing.”
Overview
There is massive scope to improve the quality of life for older persons in Carlow
Town through some initiatives detailed below. The Seven Oaks Hotel must be
commended on its current standing as a hotel that serves the needs of older persons
extremely well at present. Indeed the Seven Oaks has committed to attaining a
recognised Age Friendly Business Award in 2015.
39The planning department has also been very involved in understanding the needs of
older person, Carlow County Council planner Arlene O’Conner has been to the
forefront in recognising the requirements of older persons. The planning department
has also included an older person’s policy in the forthcoming County Development
Plan. The planning department have also committed to making a concerted effort to
display and communicate future development plans, local area plans etc. in a more
age friendly manner which will benefit the older persons in Carlow Town.
Carlow Town has a significant number of small businesses such as coffee shops,
restaurants, pharmacies and doctors surgeries which could all make small changes
to be more age friendly. As a result of this the steering committee will undertake a
business age friendly drive in 2015 to try and get awareness of the age friendly
business strategy more visible in Carlow Town.
40Issue Action Timeline Lead Status
Organisations
Short-Term (0 - 1 Years)
To collaborate with the planning Encourage an awareness of older 2015 Planning The planning
department in the presentation persons needs in relation to text, Department Carlow department
of local area plans, development language and presentation of policy County Council has agreed to
plans and related planning documents prioritise
documents presentations
for older
persons
Medium-Term (2-3 Years)
To encourage a range of older Whilst Carlow Town offers a number 2016 Steering Committee
persons activities of activities for older persons, the and Community
range of activities needs to be Welfare Department The Seven
addresses Oaks Hotel has
To work with The Seven Oaks committed to
Hotel to attain its Age Friendly becoming Age
status in Carlow Friendly
Long-Term (3-5 Years)
To encourage more businesses Roll out an awareness campaign to 2016/2018 Steering Committee,
to become age friendly, the local business’s in relation to the Local Authority and
especially restaurants and cafes. benefits of being Age Friendly and Business Community
encourage and support the attainment
of Age Friendly status.
416 Information to Lead
Full Lives
Goal at County Level
To support and train older persons in computers but to recognise that non-digital
communication is equally important to older persons such as drop in centres and
newsletters
Your Voice
“Older people are being forced to live a certain way, you don’t
know what you need until you need it”
“I like the column in the Nationalist but it’s only every month and
sometimes it doesn’t change”
“I find the library great, the museum is good too but I would like
more books and things to see, I’d spend days there if I could”
Overview
The results of the consultation showed that older people really value the Library and
Museum in Tullow Street. The atmosphere, helpful staff and varied themes were all
recognised and valued by older persons. The monthly column was also stated as
being beneficial, however older persons would benefit from a more frequent column
and possibly from more contribution from older persons. It is hoped that the
implementation of this plan in 2015 will involve some older persons contributing
some artistic content to the column.
42Issue Action Timeline Lead Status
Organisations
Short-Term (0 - 1 Years)
To encourage older persons Identify older persons who could 2015 Steering Committee Some persons
to contribute to the current contribute information to informative identified to
monthly column in the pieces to the column of interest to older date
Nationalist persons.
Medium-Term (2-3 Years)
To encourage and support To collaboratively work with the library 2016/2018 Steering Committee
the Library and museum in its and museum in helping to determine the and Library services
varied services to older content of services in the library and
persons museum
437 Learn, Develop
& Work
Goal at County Level
Develop and support opportunities for older people to access formal
and informal learning and to continue to work in a paid or voluntary
capacity if they so wish
Your Voice
“We are the forgotten generation in terms of technology”
“I like to be with young people”
“I would love to have a role in one of the GAA clubs, but I don’t
know anyone to ask”
Overview
Generally it was noted that the older persons who contributed to the consultation
process were the older person who were actively involved in the social scene in
Carlow Town. It was mentioned many times by older persons that their feelings
were for the persons who were not present at the consultations, the more quitter
older persons. Soft intervention to find these older persons and identify their needs,
or if they have a need to more socially involved in Carlow Town, is an important
element of the plan for 2015. More informal style consultations may be beneficial is
finding these older people.
44Issue Action Timeline Lead Status
Organisations
Short-Term (0 - 1 Years)
Investigate the potential for GAA Collaboratively plan with the local 2015 Steering Committee,
and other sporting clubs to provide sports clubs and conduct a pilot Sports Partnership,
an opportunity to include an older survey to determine the potential Carlow Volunteers
person as a volunteer for social inclusion for a volunteer
Medium-Term (2-3 Years)
To work with the Carlow County To identify opportunities for part- 2016/2017 CCDP, Local
Development Partnership (CCDP) to time employment for older Authority, Steering
foster opportunities for social persons. Committee
inclusion in relation to paid and
unpaid employment
458 Healthier & Active
Lives for Longer
Goal at County Level
Ensure older people have access to appropriate health services and to age-
friendly arts, leisure, sports and recreational services, as well as to the information
they need for healthy and active living.
Your Voice
“We have no dedicated fitness centre”
“I would use a tone zone if it was nearer the town”
Overview
Carlow Town has an extensive network of footpaths and walks, including Sli Na
Slainte routes etc. The tone zone area near Eire Og GAA pitch is welcomed by many
at the consultations but due to its size Carlow Town could easily accommodate more
tone zones. It would be beneficial to survey and interview older persons as to their
needs in the tone zone such as location and the number of pieces of equipment. The
design and inclusion of adequate seating and covered areas will also benefit these
areas.
There are a good number of gyms and health centres in Carlow Town which may
benefit from becoming age friendly.
46Issue Action Timeline Lead Status
Organisations
Short-Term (0 - 1 Years)
Investigate the possibility of Research the impact of the tone zone 2015 Sports Partnership,
another tone zone area, in Eire Og GAA and amend or improve Local Authority,
possibly covered more nearer the model for another location. Public Steering Committee
the town centre or near the collaboration in relation to style and
park close to the playground location is a priority.
Medium-Term (2-3 Years)
Approach all local gyms and Inform and collaborate with local 2016/2017 Sports Partnership,
health centres in Carlow Town fitness centres to determine the Local Authority,
to encourage age friendliness. requirement for an age friendly area in Steering Committee
their premises. Encourage the
attainment of Age Friendly Business
status.
479 Safe at home & Out
and About
Goal at County Level
Ensure that older people feel and are safe in their homes and when
out and about in Dublin City
Your Voice
“Even when I am on my own I lock myself in, I make sure all the
doors and windows are closed”
“We need more Gardaí on the Street, I like to see them out
walking it makes me feel safe”
Overview
The Gardaí in Carlow Town are well respected by the older people in the town. It
would appear that the Gardaí have made a real impact on the lives of older persons.
Many older people could refer to the Gardaí on first name terms which is fantastic in
such a big town when the size of the force is considered. The Gardaí have an
unmanageable workload and community policing is only one aspect of the daily role
of a Garda in Carlow Town. It cannot be stressed enough how important it is for
older persons to physically visualise Gardaí on the street, nearly all older persons
surveyed expressed their satisfaction when they see members of the Gardaí on the
street and how much safer they felt. Unfortunately it just does not happen enough.
To try and combat this, a “Say Hello” campaign would be very beneficial to the older
people of Carlow Town and the main driver of this campaign should be the Gardaí
and the business community. The “Say Hello” campaign has been shown to be very
active in town in Ireland and the UK, and the campaign has been shown to promote
social inclusion, reduce crime and vandalism and improve the quality of lives of older
persons. The steering committee should encourage the roll out of this policy.
48Issue Action Timeline Lead Status
Organisations
Short-Term (0 - 1 Years)
To develop a “Say Hello” Work with local stakeholders and the 2015 Gardaí, Local
campaign in Carlow Town media to create a “Say Hello” Business’s, Local
campaign Authority and
Steering Committee
Medium-Term (2-3 Years)
To continually stress the To continually inform the Gardaí of 2015/2018 Gardaí, Local
requirement for Gardaí on the the needs of older people to connect Authority.
street and the implication for older visually with on street Gardaí and its
persons when funding curtails importance to older persons quality
Garda presence. of life
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