One of the key functions of the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) is to drive national research, training, education and public awareness of planning.

To this end the OPR has entered into an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support the on-going maintenance and development of an Environmental Sensitivity Mapping (ESM) webtool and the delivery of training events in the usage of this webtool.

The ESM webtool is a Geographic Information System (GIS) tool that enables users to generate area-specific environmental sensitivity maps. More information in relation to the webtool and how it can be used is available via: https://enviromap.ie/

The webtool was developed and is being maintained by researchers at UCD’s School of Geography and the All-Island Research Observatory (AIRO) at Maynooth University.

A training workshop on the Environmental Sensitivity Mapping webtool will take place online on the 30th of March 2022.

This workshop is part of a number of workshops being delivered to educate users on the effective use of the tool, its functionality and real life applications. This workshop is specifically targeted at members of the public who have an interest in planning and environmental matters.

If you are interested in attending, please register at: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/269979835957

Dr. Ainhoa González from UCD’s School of Geography and Justin Gleeson from Maynooth University will deliver the workshop.

The workshop is free and will run from 10.00am-1.00pm. Early registration is recommended as places are limited.