“Sustainability is at the heart of what we do,” says Alan Dunne, Managing Partner, Iregan Advisors, a transformation consultancy specialising in mobility and parking strategies. It collaborates with Local Authorities, suppliers and expert partners to enhance accessibility, reduce emissions and improve urban liveability. While often seen as a mundane necessity, Dunne says: “Parking can proactively support, or significantly hinder, sustainable transport and climate action objectives.”
Parking strategies that focus on equity
Abundant, cheap parking has been shown to encourage car use, which can lead to increased congestion and emissions. In contrast, strategic management of parking — through pricing, kerbside allocation and enforcement — can discourage unnecessary car use while promoting sustainable options like walking, cycling and public transit. This is crucial for Ireland’s climate goals and reducing car dependency. “Parking strategies must also consider ‘captive’ users,” Dunne adds, “such as those with mobility challenges, ensuring equity while supporting Ireland’s broader goals of reducing car dependency.”
Iregan Advisors’ client base includes Local Authorities across Ireland, whom they support through evidence-based solutions that combine data analytics with global best practices and local insights. “We’ve worked with many of Ireland’s Local Authorities and supported initiatives like the Department of Transport’s Demand Management strategy,” Dunne notes. Their work extends from optimising parking supply and allocation to integrating active travel infrastructure that encourages low-carbon mobility.
Parking as a tool for sustainable mobility
Electric vehicle (EV) charging is another critical component of Ireland’s sustainable mobility future. The consultancy is helping Local Authorities develop and implement EV charging strategies by leveraging parking data and collaborating with experts. “The goal is to seamlessly integrate EV charging into existing systems, supporting Ireland’s transition to cleaner energy while ensuring accessibility and ease of use,” he explains.
Dunne envisions a reshaped role for parking in Ireland’s transport landscape. “Parking will need to align with Ireland’s climate action goals and the National Sustainable Mobility Policy,” he concludes. “We see policy and technology together being central to managing kerbside access. Effective and intelligent parking management will play a key role in enabling broader sustainable change.”