Alan Bannon

Alan Bannon is a recent graduate from Queen's University Belfast, in Ireland, with a M.Sc. In Urban and Rural Design. He currently works as a planning assistant for McCarthy Keville O’Sullivan in Galway, Ireland. It was through his work as an apprentice stonemason in his teenage years that Alan gained an interest in the built environment. Growing up in a rural area on the West coast of Ireland, he was destined to love all aspects of the environment from ecology and wildlife to the built and natural landscapes that surrounded him. In combining these two loves he now finds himself as a planning assistant. Having traveled throughout Europe and the United States, Alan has exposure to planning ideas from many different cultures and plans to use this for his benefit in the future. He is intrigued by urban design and is always looking for ways to challenge himself with a new design project.

Alternative Energy Options Expand in Galway, Ireland

by Alan Bannon

Alternative energy is any energy source that is an alternative to fossil fuel. These alternatives are intended to address concerns about such fossil fuels and their associated risks. There are various types of alterna... Read article

Galway, Ireland Turns to its Community in Struggle Against Sprawl

by Alan Bannon

As long as cities have existed there has been urban sprawl. In Galway, Ireland a dramatic increase in the city's urban sprawl began in the 19th century, when labourers flocked from the countryside to work in the new fact... Read article

"The Gathering" Results in Remarkable Population Increase for Galway, Ireland

by Alan Bannon

Situated on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean overlooking Galway Bay and the majestically beautiful Burren National Park, Galway, Ireland has always been one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland. Howeve... Read article

Brownfield Redevelopment in Galway, Ireland Gives the Harbor A Second Life

by Alan Bannon

With regards to redevelopment, a brownfield is land that has been previously used for industrial purposes. As industries change, a site may become vacant and eventually earmarked for redevelopment. The majority of waterf... Read article

"Green Home" Boom in Galway, Ireland Connected to Increase of Urban Farms?

by Alan Bannon

Galway, Ireland has seen an increase in the number of buildings, especially homes, that are designed to be environmentally friendly. These homes can be termed "green homes." However, they are more often called "passive h... Read article

Issues of Access Arise for Disabled and Elderly People in Galway, Ireland

by Alan Bannon

When architects or engineers set out to design a building, a critical element that they should think about, along with what the building will be used for, is access.  This doesn't mean access for only fit, healthy, and a... Read article

Natura 2000 Designations Constrain Development in Galway, Ireland

by Alan Bannon

Natura 2000 sites were established to protect the 220 habitats and approximately 1,000 species throughout Europe. The Natura 2000 sites came into being with the European Union’s habitats directive, Directive on the Conse... Read article

Galway, Ireland Initiates "Cycle to Work" With Up to 51% Reduction in Bike Costs

by Alan Bannon

Located on the west coast of Ireland, Galway is one of the wettest cities in the world. On average, it rains 175 days of the year, which doesn't particularly entice people to cycle to work. It became clear that a governm... Read article

Wind Farms in Galway, Ireland Expand in the Midst of Opposition

by Alan Bannon

Renewable sources of energy are in high demand in Ireland today, and wind farms seem to be popping up all over the country. This is because we are edging closer to 2020, and therefore the end of the Irish government's En... Read article

Architecture Not Built for Function in Galway, Ireland

by Alan Bannon

The design of buildings has always been contentious, whether the disagreement stems from aesthetic complaints, or disregard for the functionality of the building. For example, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, which can be argu... Read article

Access for All?: Planning Sector Technological Advances in Galway, Ireland

by Alan Bannon

In the past fifteen years, the technological advances in Galway, Ireland have been nothing short of phenomenal, not only in the planning sector but for life in general. A few years ago one would have to scan through a bo... Read article