Latest news with #UrbanRegeneration
BreakingNews.ie
5 days ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Sinn Féin calls for vacant council houses to be made available within 12 weeks
Sinn Féin has called for local authorities to be given powers that would see council homes made available to move into within 12 weeks of becoming vacant. New figures show that at least one in every four boarded up council home has been empty for longer than 12 months. Advertisement The figures released to Sinn Féin's Thomas Gould show that 38 per cent of those vacant longer than 12 months have been empty for more than two years. Over 750 council homes across the state have been boarded up for over a year. This is shameful. We must fight back together against FF & FG, demand investment in our communities, and ensure everyone has a safe, secure & affordable place to call home. — Sinn Féin (@sinnfeinireland) June 6, 2025 There are currently more than 750 council homes across Ireland which have been boarded up for more than a year. Mr Gould, the party's spokesman on Urban Regeneration and Renewal, Planning, Public Realm and Local Government, said there are thousands of homes that have been boarded up for three to four years, with some homes lying empty for eight years. Limerick, Wicklow, Tipperary and Louth have council homes boarded up for the longest time periods, while Donegal, Cork City and Limerick have the highest levels of vacant stock. Advertisement Mr Gould said the average re-letting times vary across the state. 'Why are local authorities boarding up houses? When a family moves out, (and) if that house is (in) a decent condition, let's put a family straight in. Let's not board it up. Let's put people in there. 'Instead, it's being boarded up, waiting for the Department of Housing to give money in 12 months' time, and then taking another six months for procurement to do it up. 'We want to get every house returned within 12 weeks. We think 12 gives time for local authorities to repair the house and get them out again. Advertisement 'Local authorities are only getting 11,000 euros for each unit to be turned around, when the average cost last year was 28,000.' He added: 'This is a scandal when we're in the middle of the worst housing crisis in the history of the state, and what we are trying to do is bring forward solutions. 'This in itself won't solve the housing crisis, but what it would do, is could release thousands of homes that would help to house people who are homeless, but also take people out of the rental market. 'So this will have a domino positive effect from homeless services to social housing to rent. Advertisement '(We) want local authorities, rather than waiting for the department to give sanctions, that local authorities would be able to work returning homes all year long, and not just waiting for once or twice a year for the government to give sanctions.' He called for Fianna Fail and Fine Gael to bring in a 'proper procedure' to address long-term vacant homes. Mr Gould said boarded-up houses have 'devastating effects' on communities. 'Families are coming out every day and looking at them, they're magnets for anti social-behaviour, the magnets for dumping,' he added. Advertisement Ireland Department of Foreign Affairs spent almost €1.4m o... Read More 'They just drag down the whole environment of really good communities, and it's about time now the Government stepped up. 'We are bringing forward a solution. We hope the Government will take it on board, because we think it makes sense.' The Department of Housing has been contacted for comment.
Free Malaysia Today
20-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Urban redevelopment: lessons from London's Battersea
Malaysia stands at a critical juncture. The proposed Urban Regeneration Act (URA) bill, now a hot topic in the media and obviously in our Parliament too, is being presented as a solution to the country's escalating problem of urban decay. But behind the promise of revitalised towns and cities lies a troubling question: will this bill enable sustainable regeneration, or will it merely sanction unchecked demolition and profit-driven development? This debate is more than just a clash of opinions — it is a test of the nation's commitment to preserving its urban heritage while pursuing modernisation. For a clearer perspective, Malaysia need only look to its own success abroad: the £9 billion redevelopment of London's iconic Battersea Power Station, a project where Malaysian companies — PNB (SP Setia), Sime Darby, and EPF — played a pivotal role. The real issue: incompetent local authorities At the heart of Malaysia's urban decay problem is a chronic weakness within our local authorities. Many lack the technical expertise needed to manage urban areas effectively, resorting to a simplistic, 'demolish and rebuild' or 'widen the road' or 'build a flyover' approach. This short-sighted strategy not only undermines heritage but also prevents the adoption of sustainable solutions, leading to a dysfunctional, repulsive cityscape. An equally damaging problem is the absence of a maintenance culture. When faced with deteriorating sites or buildings, local authorities often blame budget constraints, deny responsibility, or shift blame to developers. Such excuses only allow decay to worsen, turning cities into landscapes of neglect and horrifying sites that no one wants to visit. Of late, these areas have become parts of our towns and cities where illegal migrants proliferate. Battersea: a Malaysian triumph abroad In stark contrast to this dysfunction is the Battersea Power Station project — an inspiring example of how urban regeneration can be achieved without sacrificing history or sustainability. This ambitious £9 billion transformation of a derelict brownfield site into a thriving urban hub was guided by clear principles of conservation and sustainability: Conservation as a mandate: Despite its dilapidated state, the Grade II-listed Battersea Power Station was preserved. The iconic four chimneys, symbolic of the structure, were carefully demolished and rebuilt to their original design using modern, durable materials. This approach balanced heritage conservation with structural integrity. Public transit integration: London authorities did not simply approve the redevelopment — they required a £1.1 billion extension of the London Underground's northern line, directly connecting the site to the city's public transit network. This ensured that the new urban hub was not just accessible but also aligned with sustainable mobility goals. These principles — respect for history, commitment to sustainability, and responsible governance — stand in sharp contrast to the problems plaguing Malaysia's urban management. Unanswered questions about the URA Bill As it stands, the URA Bill seems to grant developers broad powers to demolish and rebuild decaying areas. But without clear safeguards, this could turn into a recipe for uncontrolled destruction and unfair compensation. Critical questions remain: Will heritage be protected? In the Battersea project, strict heritage conservation rules were enforced. Will the URA impose similar requirements? Does Malaysia have strong enough conservation laws to ensure this? Will sustainable mobility be prioritised? Battersea's regeneration was directly tied to improved public transport. Will the URA mandate public transit integration instead of simply allowing for more car parks? Will local authorities be strengthened? Without skilled and accountable local authorities, the URA will be powerless to ensure responsible regeneration. What steps will be taken to equip these bodies with the expertise they desperately need? Defining Malaysia's urban future The URA bill represents a choice for Malaysia — a choice between thoughtful, sustainable urban regeneration and reckless, profit-driven development. If the government is serious about creating vibrant, liveable cities, it must ensure that the URA is guided by clear principles of conservation, sustainability, and accountability. Malaysian-owned conglomerates have already demonstrated, through the Battersea Power Station project, that it is capable of balancing regeneration with heritage preservation — at least on foreign soil. The question now is whether it can bring the same vision and discipline home. If the URA bill is allowed to become a blank cheque for developers, it will turn cities into soulless clusters of concrete jungle. Without naming them, there are several examples of such sites in the country today. However, if it is carefully crafted with strong safeguards, it could mark the beginning of a new era for Malaysia's urban landscape — one where history, culture and heritage combined, and progress could walk hand in hand. The author can be reached at: rosli@ The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
