A major strategic review is to be carried out in core city areas around the country.

The Land Development Agency (LDA) has said this is for "regeneration and rejuvenation" of these areas.

Chairman John Moran said the review will contribute to the sustainable growth of Irish cities - and identify how best to position the LDA and State-owned land to help achieve this, while limiting urban sprawl.

He was speaking at the National Housing Conference, organised by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) and the Department of Housing.

Mr Moran said the agency will recruit a senior urban planning specialist for the review.

2009 file photo shows construction stalled on new apartments in Co Dublin | Image: Leon Farrell/RollingNews.ie

This will involve collaboration with key stakeholders - such as local authorities, Government agencies, educational bodies, businesses and private sector property groups.

The LDA has said it will use the review to support planning authorities and State landowners to increase housing supply in the near and medium term.

Mr Moran said the LDA is in discussions with the RIAI about collaborating on larger sites, which can yield some 3,000 new homes from next year.

The agency is advancing plans with the RIAI to run a design review process, involving architects and stakeholders.

Mr Moran told the conference: "The LDA represents a major opportunity to achieve the compact growth envisaged in Project Ireland 2040 and to help stunt urban sprawl, which has so many negative impacts on our people - including long commutes, congestion, high housing costs and environmental issues."

"This initiative of presenting the agency's long-term view on how our cities can grow to deliver sustainable and affordable homes for people near to their workplaces and social networks is a core part of the agency's work.

"It will also ensure that the agency accesses and acquired land in the appropriate areas, thereby avoiding some of the mistakes that have been made in the past."

The Government has committed to providing the LDA with equity capital of up to €1.25bn.

The LDA is a commercial State agency with a nationwide mandate to use State land to contribute towards the stability and sustainability of housing markets.