Sustainability in Conwy facts for kids
Conwy is a county in North Wales, a beautiful part of the United Kingdom. It shares borders with other Welsh counties called Gwynedd and Denbighshire. Some of the biggest towns in North Wales are found here, like Llandudno, Colwyn Bay, and Conwy town itself. About 111,273 people lived in Conwy in 2006, which was about 4% of Wales's total population.
Long ago, during the Industrial Revolution, a major job in Conwy was slate quarrying. This meant digging out large amounts of slate from mountains. But times have changed! Now, a huge part of Conwy's economy is tourism, especially in seaside towns like Llandudno.
People are now asking: How is Conwy becoming more sustainable? Being sustainable means using resources wisely and protecting the environment so that future generations can also enjoy them. This article will look at how Conwy is working to be sustainable in different ways, including caring for its environment, culture, people, and economy.
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Caring for Conwy's Environment
Conwy is famous for its amazing scenery, from the North Wales Coast to parts of the Snowdonia National Park. However, the old slate quarries have left some marks on the landscape, with parts of mountains "chiseled away." Because of this, it's super important for Conwy to protect its natural beauty for kids and adults in the future.
In 2016, the Welsh government passed the Environment (Wales) Act. This law helps all public groups in Wales work towards a greener future. Conwy Council is aiming to cut its carbon footprint by a huge 80% by 2050! This goal is a big part of their plans for the future.
Conwy Council's main goal for the environment is to make sure people live in a sustainable place. They plan to do this by:
- Protecting the coast and homes from floods with new defenses.
- Making recycling easier and better for everyone.
- Investing in clean, renewable energy to reduce pollution.
One exciting idea is a tidal lagoon in Colwyn Bay. This project would use the power of the tides to create clean energy for North Wales. It could also help protect the coast from storms and even become a fun place for people to visit and play. Conwy is also looking into other renewable energy ideas for the future.
The council also wants to fix areas damaged by old quarrying. They are working to improve the land so it can grow plants again. Another plan is called the green wedge scheme. This means protecting and increasing green spaces in the county, like parks and fields, for everyone to enjoy.
Protecting Conwy's Culture
Cultural sustainability means keeping the good parts of a nation's history and culture alive for future generations. Things like language and old buildings show us how people lived in the past.
In Conwy, the Welsh language is an important part of its culture. In 2011, about 27.4% of people over three years old could speak Welsh fluently. This is a bit higher than the average for all of Wales. A big reason for this is that schools are working hard to teach Welsh to younger students, helping the language stay strong.
Old buildings are also a key part of Conwy's history. In Wales, important historical buildings are "listed" to protect them.
- Grade I listed buildings are super important historically.
- Grade II listed buildings are also important but a bit less so than Grade I.
Conwy has 254 listed buildings, which is one of the highest numbers in Wales! These include famous places like:
- Bodysgallen Hall, a beautiful old hall.
- Conwy Castle, a very famous medieval castle.
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Other listed buildings include the Conwy war memorial and Llanrhos Church Hall.
Culture is also becoming a big part of tourism. The Conwy Culture Centre is a new project that helps with this. It was planned to be a safe place for young people to meet. It also holds historical collections and offers training and volunteer chances for local people. This helps improve their lives and job opportunities. The council is working to increase the number of Welsh speakers and make sure people feel confident speaking the language. They've also seen more tourists interested in Conwy's history and culture.
Supporting Conwy's People
Social sustainability looks at how well people live in an area. This includes things like housing and jobs. Conwy County Borough Council has a plan to help people find homes and reduce homelessness.
In 2015, about 2,200 homes in Conwy were too crowded because families couldn't afford bigger places. The council's plan aims to make housing more affordable. This helps people who work in the area to stay there. While homelessness has been going down since 2005, the rate in Conwy is lower than the average for Wales. Conwy Housing Solutions also offers online help for people who are homeless or might become homeless soon.
Another important issue is jobs. In 2005, 4% of people in Conwy were unemployed, which was higher than the Welsh average. The council is also working to fix gender inequality in jobs. Sometimes, women find it harder to get jobs in fields like farming or building. To change this, Conwy Council created a 'Strategic Equality Plan' in 2016. This plan aims to fight unfairness in jobs, pay, and training by 2020.
Building Conwy's Economy
Economic sustainability means making sure the local economy is strong and can last for a long time. Conwy County Borough Council has an economic growth plan for 2017-2027.
Creating renewable energy, like the tidal lagoon mentioned earlier, can really help the economy. It can create new jobs and boost local businesses. The tidal lagoon project, for example, will bring many job opportunities to Conwy.
Conwy Council wants its local economy to be confident, strong, and sustainable. They encourage new ideas and work with businesses to help them grow. This shows they are trying to improve local businesses, which will make Conwy's economy more sustainable.
Sustainable tourism is also very important. This means tourism that benefits the area without harming it. Conwy wants to become a place tourists visit all year round, not just in summer. This helps local businesses stay busy and makes the economy stronger, especially in the quieter winter months.
Finally, higher education (like college or university) helps people get better jobs and earn more money. This also helps the local economy. Conwy Council wants to have more higher education options in the county. This will help students and bring more financial benefits to Conwy, making its economy more sustainable.
Summary
Conwy is working hard to protect its county for the future. It's great to see that sustainability is a big part of the council's plans. It will be interesting to see in the next few years how these goals are met, especially with exciting projects like the proposed Tidal Lagoon in Colwyn Bay. With its rich history and culture, Conwy is committed to keeping its unique identity strong for many generations to come.
