The methods used by the public sector across the whole of Ireland to influence the 'distribution of people and activities in spaces of various scales' - known as Spatial Strategies - have been on the agenda for Ministers, North and South.

Northern Ireland's Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy and the Irish Republic's Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Éamon Ó Cuív announced that a joint consultation on a Framework for Collaboration on Spatial Strategies for the Island of Ireland begins in February - and will run for two months.

Discrete professional disciplines, which involve spatial planning, include land use planning, urban planning, regional planning, transport planning and environmental planning.

NI Minister Murphy said: "Issues, opportunities and challenges in relation to spatial planning and future development are frequently shared, North and South.

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"Understanding this relationship can help economic recovery through more effective planning and prioritisation of investment," he said.

"These strategies emphasise the importance of working together for the development of urban and rural areas and for the provision of infrastructure and services. They can deliver real mutual benefits at both a local border level and at the larger Island level.

"In order that all parts of the Island can compete in the global market, spatial plans have an important role to play in ensuring we meet our infrastructure needs in a strategic, planned, integrated and sustainable manner."

Both spatial strategies identify Dublin and Belfast as key economic drivers.

The linked cities and towns of NI's Londonderry and the Republic's Letterkenny, and Newry City and Dundalk across the border are important locations because of their role as administrative, educational or commerce centres or as gateways to other places and regions.

Research commissioned in 2006 by InterTrade Ireland and undertaken by the International Centre for Local and Regional Development (ICLRD) highlighted the advantages of a collaborative approach to spatial planning on the island of Ireland, particularly in the context of globalisation and the need to enhance collective competitiveness.

The consultation examines the key planning challenges faced by both parts of the Island and discusses the potential for collaboration in spatial planning. It sets out a non-statutory framework for collaboration at different levels within the public sector, which should result in mutual benefits.

See: shapingourfuture

(BMcC/GK)