Swinford has been chosen as the focus of an architectural study as part of a pilot study under the Government Policy on Architecture.
The project is being run by the School of Architecture at the University of Limerick and will see participation by members of Mayo County Council, local elected representatives, and community leaders.
The idea behind the project is to bridge, rethink, create, and visualise cities and regions in terms of well designed urban planning, and spatial strategy.
Members of Mayo County Council, elected representatives, and community leaders from Swinford will attend a two-week seminar at UL for intensive learning workshops.
Attendees will work in collaboration with fourth and fifth year advanced architecture students where they will learn about critical issues affecting the development of Swinford and its environs.
Swinford was chosen as part of this study because of the scale of the town, the level of infrastructural development of amenity spaces, the need to develop some areas of the town to their full potential, and a recognition of the community pride and ambition within Swinford and its environs which can be harnessed to develop a strong sense of identity for the town.
The first of the two weekly seminars will take place next week with the Wednesday of each week being spent in Swinford for workshops and meetings. This will enable the students to carry out a tour of the town and gather information directly from people who are directly involved with everyday life and development in Swinford.
The process will enable Swinford community leaders and elected representatives to develop an understanding of design thinking. Existing knowledge about the community may be unearthed. Participation will also complement Mayo County Council’s bid to have Swinford designated as a competition site for the European 2012 international architectural competition.
Chairperson of the Swinford electoral area committee Cllr Joe Mellett said the information gathered will be used as a blueprint for the development of Swinford.
