UCC planning conference explores advances in marine and coastal planning

13 Mar 2025

• Conference to examine sustainable approaches to marine and coastal planning in Ireland.
• The conference is organised by students from UCC’s Master’s in Planning and Sustainable Development, showcasing their commitment to shaping the future of planning.
• It takes place amid rising demand for planning professionals in Ireland.

Transformations in marine and coastal planning in Ireland will be the focus of a planning conference taking place at University College Cork on Thursday, 13 March 2025.

Led by UCC Planning Society and UCC Master’s in Planning and Sustainable Development students, the conference will bring leading experts together to explore the future of marine and coastal planning, and the action needed to sustainably manage marine and coastal environments.

Speakers include Dr Aaron Lim, UCC Lecturer in Marine Geoscience at UCC College of Arts, Celtic Studies, and Social Sciences, Principal Investigator, Environmental Research Institute, Director of the MSc in Applied Coastal and Marine Management; Eoin O'Connor, Southern Regional Assembly; and Karina Fitzgerald: Planning Advisor on Marine Policy and Legislation in the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.

“The MPlan at UCC is an internationally recognised and professionally accredited master’s program that equips graduates with the skills to shape sustainable cities, regions, towns, and communities. As chartered planning professionals, our graduates are at the forefront of addressing real-world environmental and sustainability challenges, making a tangible impact across public, private, and community sectors both in Ireland and globally,” Dan McCarthy, Senior Lecturer, UCC Centre for Planning Education & Research, UCC College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, said.

"We’re excited for today’s conference, led by UCC students, which will bring together leading industry experts to share insights, foster connections, and inspire the future of planning. The conference coincides with a major milestone for the planning profession in Ireland, with the addition of town planners to the Critical Skills Occupations List. This decision supports the government’s commitment to reinforce the capacity of our planning system to meet current and future needs,” Dan McCarthy said.

The next generation of planners

Applications are currently open for UCC’s Masters in Planning and Sustainable Development. Learn more on the programme page.

Meet Our Graduates: MPlan Graduate Spotlights

• Rachel O'Callaghan, Assistant Planner with Cork County Council
• Ciaran Dinneen, Planning Consultant with McCutcheon Halley Chartered Planning Consultants.