ABSTRACT
Translating the concept of integrated sustainable development into implementation has been elusive and contested at the point of delivery. Sustainable development is about achieving a successful, stable economy, while creating a strong and inclusive society and protecting the environment. As countries have become more urbanised, the search for the optimal quality of life has become more important. Since the 1960s, the idea that this concept could in some way be measured and modelled has held much resonance with social scientists. The island of Ireland provides a textbook case study of the manner in which socio-economic shifts result in the emergence of entirely new spatial forms. In the Republic of Ireland, policy integration is hampered by the absence of an explicit national urban policy, which may provide a common frame of reference for various policies and programmes impacting on urban areas.
