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dublin city
development plan 2016-22
issues paper
dublin city
development plan 2016-22
Welcome from the Chief Executive
The new City Development Plan 2016 – 2022 will be a
key strategy document setting the vision and direction
for the future development of our city. Following a
period of economic challenges, Dublin City Council
is once again preparing a new City Development
Plan at a time of change, but with emerging signs
of growth indicating a more optimistic outlook for our
city and country. The next City Development Plan
is important as it sets out a shared vision to guide
future development for the benefit of the city and all
its citizens.
The success of Dublin as a capital city is critical to
the future performance of the city region and the
wider national economy. Recent years have seen
Dublin’s emerging reputation as an international
technology hub with significant regeneration of the
city’s docklands and strong export-led growth. The
challenge now is to build on the progress made
under the previous plan and to capitalise on new
opportunities to build towards a sustainable future.
Public participation at the early stage is important,
so that the final plan can address our aspirations
for the city. In this regard, I would encourage you
the citizens, the communities and organisations you
represent, businesses and stakeholders, to become
involved and help us plan for the future of Dublin as
a great city to live in, do business and enjoy.
We have put this document together to highlight
what we consider are some of the ’big picture’ priority
issues for the city over the next six years. These are
set out under a number of broad chapter headings
in the following pages. At this early stage, we are
looking for your input on these broad ‘big picture’
issues, but not on specific proposals relating to
zoning of land.
If you think we have left out any important issues,
please let us know. There are a number of ways
you can share your views; either online, at your local
library, or at a number of drop-in sessions, and you
can find out about the latest public consultations on
www.dublincitydevelopmentplan.ie
1
Owen Keegan
Chief Executive,
Dublin City Council
dublin city
development plan 2016-22
2
dublin city
development plan 2016-22
CONTENTS
DUBLIN CITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
2016 - 2022
THE BIG PICTURE ISSUES
1. Introduction
4
2. Shaping the City
6
3. Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
9
4. City and Regional Economy
11
5. Movement and Transport
13
6. Population and Housing
17
7. Sustainable Environment and Infrastructure
8. Green Infrastructure, Landscape, Open Space &
20
23
Recreation
9. Retailing
26
10. Culture and Heritage
11. Community Infrastructure and Social
Inclusion
12. Environmental Assessment
29
35
38
13. Appendices:

Objectives to be provided for in the
development plan (Section 10 of Planning Act)
40

Development Plan Timeline
41
3
dublin city
development plan 2016-22
1 - Introduction
Introduction to the new City Development Plan
2016–2022
Dublin City Council is starting the preparation of the new
Dublin City Development Plan on 10th November 2014.
The plan-making process will review and build on the
progress made under the previous City Development
Plan and set the direction for the future growth of the
city. The new plan will be completed within 2 years and
will outline a long-term vision and medium-term strategy
for the sustainable development of the city for the
six-year period from 2016 to 2022. The plan will provide
for new development policies, and the delivery of specific
objectives, in line with development standards, guidelines
and land use zoning maps, updated as necessary.
To inform this process, this Issues Paper has been
prepared to give a broad overview on what we consider
should be included in the new City Development Plan
and to prompt debate about new policy ideas to improve
our city socially, physically and economically.
Planning for the Future of Our City
The review period for the new City Development Plan
has come at a time of change. After years of economic
downturn, there has been a recent upturn in the Irish
economy with strong performance in export, technology
and financial services sectors and Dublin’s emerging
reputation as an international technology hub.
The economic growth of Dublin is critical to the future
performance of the national economy and it is important
that the new City Development Plan is ready to capitalise
on new opportunities to build towards economic recovery.
Quality of life is a key factor that makes the city attractive
to its citizens, visitors and to foreign investment, which is
central to our future economic performance globally, so
there will be an emphasis on good quality of life and the
wellbeing of our growing population.
The city is also faced with a number of challenges
including the need to invest in new infrastructure
while maximising the value of existing assets, to
build sustainable communities and meet a renewed
demand for development and good quality residential
accommodation, to promote opportunities for healthy
living and recreation while protecting the environment.
Priority Issues for the new City Plan
The next step is to consider these ‘big picture’ issues in
collaboration with local communities, business and other
stakeholders. Please tell us what you think to help us
plan for the future of Dublin as a great city to live in, do
business and enjoy. We would ask that you concentrate
on the broad issues at this early stage, rather than
specific proposals such as rezoning of particular parcels
of land.
4
The following are what we consider to be the priority
issues for the next City Development Plan. These
priorities are a first step and are not set in stone.
1. Prosperity To support economic growth and
improve Dublin’s attractiveness as a place to
live, work and invest in, with an emphasis on
providing for good quality of life to sustain a
growing population
2. Sustainable Neighbourhoods To link landuse with public transport and make the
best use of available land to support the
development of sustainable neighbourhoods
which have a range of facilities and a choice
of quality residential accommodation.
3. Resilience To promote a balanced approach
that promotes healthy living and recreational
use of Dublin’s unique natural amenities
while protecting the environment and building
resilience to cope with climate change.
To set the context and inform the review of the new City
Plan, research has been undertaken into a number of
topics, which are set out in the following pages of this
Issues Paper. You can follow each stage of the two-year
process and find out about the latest public consultations
on www.dublincitydevelopmentplan.ie
dublin city
development plan 2016-22
Background and Strategic Context
International Dimension
Dublin operates in a globalised world where city regions
are increasingly important economic drivers. These city
regions are competing with each other internationally to
attract inward investment. International benchmarking is
becoming increasingly important in terms of measuring
and comparing the performance and attractiveness of
cities. To build our international status, Dublin needs to
meet key environmental, social and cultural benchmarks
so we can continue to attract and keep talented people.
We also need to build partnerships with other city regions
and develop a strong brand identity to promote Dublin as
a world-class city.
The National Development Plan sees the implementation
of Transport 21 as a way to consolidate the city by
integrating land use and transport. However, it should
be noted that the more recent ‘Infrastructure and Capital
Investment Framework 2012-21016’ had deferred certain
large infrastructure projects such as Metro North, Metro
West and Dart Underground. Other key national policies
reaffirm the need for a compact city with consolidation
achieved by increased densities of development along
sustainable transport corridors and the optimisation
of under-utilised lands. There are also forthcoming
changes in planning legislation to include new social
housing requirements for developers, the introduction
of a vacant site levy and ‘Use it or Lose it’ clauses with
planning permissions.
Statutory Context
European: The City Development Plan sits within a
framework of higher-level policies to ensure the strategic
development of the city in the broader regional, national
and European context. European Directives require
early and ongoing assessment of a Development Plan
in terms of their potential impacts on the environment.
These are applied through Strategic Environmental
Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA).
A Flood Risk Assessment will be aligned with the SEA
process. Considerations for the Development Plan in
relation to these are outlined in this Issues Paper.
National: The National Spatial Strategy (NSS) sets out
a 20-year framework for balanced regional development
across Ireland between 2002 and 2020. The Strategy
recognises the key role that Dublin plays as an economic
driver of the national economy and on the international
stage. The Strategy also recognises the importance of
Dublin Airport, the Dublin-Belfast economic corridor and
the role of the capital city as a gateway to Ireland.
Region: The Regional Planning Guidelines (RPGs) for
the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) 2010 to 2022 set out a
settlement strategy for the Dublin and Mid-East Region
that also promotes consolidation of Dublin’s metropolitan
core, which includes the entire administrative area of
Dublin City Council. The RPGs set ambitious housing
targets to be achieved by Dublin City Council by 2022
along with the delivery of public transport and community
infrastructure, although these are based on population
projections prepared before the last census. While it is
anticipated that new regional guidelines will be prepared
during the preparation of this Plan, it should also be noted
that the population of the city is increasing. The need for
a strategic approach to the provision of housing in the
Dublin Area was recently underlined in the Government’s
‘Construction 2020’ strategy.
City: Taking account of the higher-level policy
development framework, the medium- to long-term
vision for Dublin will be set out in an evidence-based
‘core strategy’. The Development Plan incorporates the
5
RPGs into a settlement hierarchy to focus investment
and growth into strategic locations. ‘Local Area Plans’
may also be prepared for areas in need of renewal or
for areas subject to large-scale development ’Strategic
Development Zones (SDZ)’ can be prepared, for example
the Grangegorman SDZ and North Lotts and Grand
Canal Dock SDZ Planning Schemes were prepared
during the lifetime of the current Development Plan.
Format of this Issues Paper
The format of this Issues Paper is based on a number
of strategic topics, which are outlined in the following
chapters:

Shaping the City

Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

City and Regional Economy

Population and Housing

Movement and Transport

Sustainable Environment and Infrastructure

Green Infrastructure, Landscape and Open Space

Retailing

Culture and Heritage

Community Infrastructure and Social Inclusion

Environmental Assessments
dublin city
development plan 2016-22
2 - Shaping the City
Dublin is shaped both by its natural and man-made
features. The River Liffey, together with the area
between the canals, containing both the old city and the
world famous Georgian Squares, all help to convey the
city’s strong character and identity. The basic building
blocks of this unique urban character consist of buildings,
streets, urban spaces and neighbourhoods. At all levels,
it is important to foster character and coherent patterns
of urban structure, to make the city more legible and
create a sense of place.
The core strategy of the existing development plan seeks
to create a compact, quality, green, well-connected city
with a mix of uses that generates real long-term economic
recovery with sustainable neighbourhoods and socially
inclusive communities. It establishes a spatial hierarchy
for the city, which prioritises the inner city, key developing
areas, key district centres, and strategic development
and regeneration areas. The strategy seeks to: expand
the city centre towards the Docklands, Heuston and
Grangegorman; develop sustainable urban villages such
as Rathmines and Crumlin; and make new developing
/ regeneration areas such as the North Fringe and
Docklands.
This creates the opportunity for new place-making in
areas such as the North Fringe and Pelletstown, which
have rail transport, streets, boulevards, and parks forming
an extension to the city character areas. The recently
approved Planning Scheme for the Docklands Strategic
Development Zone also provides the opportunity for
new place-making in the creation of an urban quarter
with a city block structure and good public transportation
including the Luas and ‘dublinbikes’.
Grangegorman is a substantial inner city area that has
been under-utilised for decades.
A Strategic Development Zone Planning Scheme
has been approved to guide the redevelopment of
Grangegorman as a consolidated campus for the Dublin
Institute of Technology and healthcare facilities for the
Health Service Executive. Development has started
at Grangegorman and later phases will integrate the
campus with Broadstone and the new Luas cross-city
line.
Traditionally, the Liberties had a more organic spatial
structure. Further consideration needs to be given as to
how new development in and around the Liberties, such
as on Thomas Street, the Guinness lands, and the new
children’s hospital site can further integrate the area into
the city.
The Dublin Port Company Masterplan 2012 has a core
aim of integrating Dublin port with Dublin city and its
people. The Masterplan provides for soft boundaries,
viewing points, new footpaths and new amenity areas.
The identity of Dublin city is closely associated with
Dublin port. Now there is an opportunity to reintegrate
the city with its maritime character and enhance the
ability to experience the Bay.
Height as part of the Shape and Structure of the City
Dublin contains a wide range of buildings that contribute
to its streetscape from Victorian terraces, to office
quarters, to educational institutions, to Liberty Hall and
the Alto Vetro building at Grand Canal Dock. In this
context, the current development plan protects the
historic city centre including the Georgian Squares whilst
providing for 6/7-storey development in the inner city,
6-storey development near heavy rail / underground
stations, and 4-storey development in the rest of the
city. High buildings may be permitted in a number of
areas including Docklands and Heuston, subject to the
provisions of a relevant Local Area Plan or Strategic
Development Zone.
Do the prescribed building heights allow sufficient
flexibility to consider local circumstances? For example,
the Docklands SDZ allows for the possibility of an
additional set-back floor and the recently completed
extension to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
is nine storeys in an inner city location. Should the new
development plan allow for some limited flexibility in
relation to building height, and provide opportunities to
make quality additions to the skyline?
Urban Form & Density
Vacant Land
One of the main objectives of the current development
plan is to create a sustainable compact city with good
public transport, less reliance on cars and a sustainable
mix of services and amenities including schools, libraries,
shops, and parks for each neighbourhood. Dublin is
now recognised as a thriving European city with a
growing number of areas providing accommodation
at sustainable densities such as Docklands, Ashtown/
Pelletstown and Ballymun.
6
Recent surveys indicate that there are approximately
300 vacant sites on 65 hectares of inner city land in
Dublin. This together with the proposed vacant land
levy represents a significant opportunity to encourage
infill development in the heart of the city. How can these
vacant brownfield sites contribute to the character of the
city?
dublin city
development plan 2016-22
A Coherent, Connected City
The city centre contains new clusters of development
such as at Docklands, Temple Bar, and Heuston.
Others are emerging, including the DIT/HSE campus at
Grangegorman and the Digital Hub. In addition, a number
of civic spaces have been created, for example, the GPO
plaza on O’Connell Street, Smithfield and at the City Hall.
The City Council has implemented a wayfinding scheme
to link these clusters and spaces and assist visitors in
finding their way around the city and experience Dublin’s
unique character and atmosphere.
The Dublin City Public Realm Strategy 2012 contains
long-term actions and assigned projects including: the
Grafton Street quarter public realm plan; the Trinity
to IMMA ‘Dubline’ route; and the project to connect
Grangegorman to the city.
An outdoor advertising strategy based on the sensitivity
of differing geographical zones has been adopted and
included in the development plan.
What needs to be done to further improve urban public
space in Dublin city?
Urban Design / Architecture
Expanding the City
Urban design is essentially a tool to assist in the craft of
creating quality urban spaces; it is about how buildings
are put together to shape and enliven our streets and
civic spaces. Good urban design supports the economic,
social, cultural and sustainability goals of the city.
Dublin’s built-up area is now extending out to the city
boundaries, with new communities at the North Fringe,
Pelletstown and Park West. The strategy in the current
development plan is to promote a hierarchy of mixeduse centres ranging from key district centres down to
neighbourhood centres. The challenge is to ensure that
these areas are integrated into the structure of the city.
Architecture, if done properly, contributes to the quality of
urban life, civic pride and city identity. Good architecture
recognises that most buildings work quietly as a backdrop
to the city and, in turn, allows the city to be distinctive.
A City of Neighbourhoods
All neighbourhoods serve a local community. A common
theme across the city is that good neighbourhoods
serve as focal points for the surrounding community with
a range of services and facilities, typically in a vibrant
and attractive physical environment. Progress has been
made with the significant improvements in the residential
amenity and urban design quality of developments,
with new mixed-use, family-friendly neighbourhoods
and communities emerging in areas such as Ballymun,
Pelletstown and the North Fringe.
The Docklands is another distinctive cluster of
neighbourhoods in the city. Consideration needs to
be given to the integration of policies in the DDDA
Masterplan, supporting these neighbourhoods, into the
new City Development Plan.
Urban Public Space
The public realm is an important part of Dublin’s identity,
of how we understand ourselves and how we want to
present ourselves to others. It contributes to Dublin’s
competitiveness both by influencing the image of the
city abroad and by being attractive for people who live
in, work in or visit. The public realm is vital to our city
life and this importance requires us to understand it and
influence its future.
The current development plan supports the concept
of good sustainable neighbourhoods which are areas
where an efficient use of land, high quality design, and
effective integration in the provision of physical and social
infrastructure combine to create places people want to
live in. How can the new development plan promote the
creation of good sustainable neighbourhoods?
7
dublin city
development plan 2016-22
Some Issues for Consideration

What more needs to be done to improve urban
public space in Dublin city?

How can vacant sites best contribute to improving
the character of the city?


How can the city best provide new additions to
the skyline which will accommodate sustainable
residential and economic development, which
will in turn provide for investment in the built
heritage?
In what way can the new Development Plan
enhance Dublin’s uniqueness in this era of
globalisation?

How can the new Development Plan ensure that
the design of new buildings meets the quality,
adaptability and longevity of earlier periods?

How can the structure of the city facilitate
sustainable patterns of settlement and
employment?

How can we retain urban grain and texture,
given global trends for larger floorplates and
buildings?

How do you think new development can help
to integrate regeneration areas and new
communities into the city?

What are the most important requirements for
creating safe and pleasant pedestrian routes
across the city?

In your opinion, what are the important aspects
of the Docklands Masterplan (2008) that should
be included in the new Development Plan
to support both existing and new Docklands
neighbourhoods?

How can the new Development Plan
encourage the creation of good sustainable
neighbourhoods?

How can the new Development Plan improve
integration between Dublin port and the city?

How can we achieve sustainable densities and
create places where people will want to live and
work?

Should the new Development Plan allow for some
limited flexibility in relation to building heights to
take account of particular local circumstances?
8
dublin city
development plan 2016-22
3 - Climate Change Adaptation and
Mitigation
It has been confirmed by the Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change that warming of the ocean and
atmosphere is happening and that there is clear human
influence on climate. The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) assessed Ireland’s climate in 2012 and
found causes for concern; average annual surface air
temperatures and sea surface temperatures are rising,
and this is impacting on climate and ecology. Available
data suggests that sea level is rising at approx. 1.7mm
per year. The number of frost days has decreased while
the number of warm days has increased. Projected
impacts of climate change in Ireland include; more
extreme weather conditions, changes in species
distribution, water shortages in the east of the country,
and an increased likelihood of coastal and river flooding.
We now need to both reduce the impact of the city’s
activities on the climatic environment through mitigation
measures, and secondly to adapt to the changing
climate. The city needs to develop resilience to climate
change and its impacts such that any negative impacts
from events such as storms or floods are not lasting ones
with consequences for residents and businesses.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is one effective
way of reducing the influence of climate change.
Increasing our share of renewable energy and adopting
measures to conserve energy is, therefore, important,
and the Government has adopted a national strategy for
renewable energy for the period 2012-2020. Ireland’s
National Renewable Energy Action Plan (“NREAP”),
required under an EU directive in 2009, set a target for
40 per cent of Irish electricity consumption to come from
renewable sources by 2020.
Dublin City now encourages sustainable energy
generation and use through its Sustainable Energy
Action Plan 2010-2020, and monitors sustainability
indicators to gauge progress. This is an important
element of mitigation. 2014 saw the release of the
National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (Department
of Energy Communications and Natural Resources)
which again works towards energy savings targets
for 2020, drawing together many actions and policies.
In 2012, the ‘National Climate Change Adaptation
Framework’ (Department of Environment, Community
and Local Government) was published, and Local
Authorities have been asked to prepare local adaptation
plans as part of the development plan process.
Adaptation actions will be required as part of these plans
in order to avoid or reduce the adverse impacts of climate
change and take advantage of any positive impacts. This
will involve an inter-disciplinary approach, focusing on
influential factors at local level - including energy use,
settlement patterns, transport, and green infrastructure.
Overall, the City Council has made progress since the
adoption of the last development plan in regard to both
mitigating climate change and implementing adaptation
measures.
9
In addition to the aforementioned progress, initiatives
include:

At a general level, the city promotes a more
compact city in order to reduce urban sprawl
and reduce unsustainable travel patterns.
Examples include the Docklands SDZ and the
new Grangegorman Campus.

The publication of ‘Sustainability Report
2013’. This used a wide range of sustainability
indicators to help us understand the condition of
our environment. This forms a useful baseline
for evaluating future indicators.

A variety of work has been done in relation
to assessing flood risk and devising or
implementing designs to protect the more
vulnerable parts of the city – a key element of
climate change adaptation.

In 2013, DCC adopted a major emergency
plan which sets out co-ordinated systems for
effectively responding to emergency situations
caused by severe weather, or major fires (for
example). This improves the city’s resilience to
such emergencies.

The Council works continuously with Dublin’s
energy agency, Codema, on projects aiming
to reduce energy use, both through improved
awareness and by changing behaviour.

The Council is active in looking at new ways to
make the city more resilient and now works with
universities and communities to pilot new ideas
such as the EU-assisted TURAS project in
collaboration with UCD. TURAS is an acronym
for ‘Transitioning towards Urban Resilience and
Sustainability’.
dublin city
development plan 2016-22
Some Issues for Consideration

To what extent can settlement patterns, live/work
proximity and urban design influence climate
change/resilience in the city?

How can the Development Plan address the
range of challenges associated with climate
change to ensure Dublin successfully adapts
to climate change and implements appropriate
mitigation measures?

Energy usage in the city is necessary to serve
residents, businesses and transport. In addition
to current measures, are there further ways of
reducing energy use, conserving energy, or
generating renewable energy that may benefit
the city? Are there opportunities for sustainable
district heating schemes?

Given the likelihood of increased flood events,
measures such as green roofs, planted areas,
and sustainable drainage systems can all
help reduce surface water run-off and hence
improve resilience. How can the forthcoming
Development Plan minimise volumes of surface
water draining from new development?

Green industry has been promoted in the city
by encouraging low-energy buildings and also
through specific projects. Are there specific
areas of the city that need attention to address
energy concerns?

The new Development Plan is likely to contain
revised standards for development. To what
extent should sustainability goals influence these
standards? Are there opportunities to increase
solar energy in the city?
10
dublin city
development plan 2016-22
4 - City and Regional Economy
Changes in Context since the adoption of the current
Plan in 2010
The current Development Plan sets out economic
development Policies and Objectives in areas such as:
Enterprise, Innovation, Clusters and Corridors, Offices/
Commercial/ Employment Space, Economic Area
Regeneration, Vacant Lands and Buildings, Tourism,
Visitors, International Education, and Conventions.
The economy is recovering; development has recommenced in Dublin and there is a growing understanding
of the role of Dublin as the national economic engine.
However, there are supply problems and associated
price rises in the office and housing sectors that, in turn,
present challenges to our international competitiveness.
Supply shortages of offices has seen prime rents in
Dublin 2/4 growing by 15% in the first half of 2014 and
46% on an annualised basis.
There is an enhanced economic role for local government,
particularly through the Local Economic and Community
Plan to be prepared under the Local Government Reform
Act 2014.
NAMA now has a developmental role in the supply of
housing and office space. The involvement of major
international investors in property development in Dublin
is a recent innovation, facilitated by recent legislation to
allow for Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs).
There are proposals to introduce a vacant land levy in
a Planning Bill to be introduced in this term. This was
initially proposed in 2013 by a task force set up by the
then Lord Mayor Oisín Quinn1.
The abolition of Dublin Tourism, with its role now
incorporated into Fáilte Ireland, presents a new tourism
role for Dublin City Council, with ambitious tourist targets
set for Dublin to double the number of visitors by 20202.
Changes to the visa programme have been introduced
by the Government to make it easier for tourists, such as
those from China, for example, to visit Ireland as well as
improving attractiveness for international entrepreneurs.
The City Council has a growing International Relations
role and this has great potential in promoting international
investment and economic links with countries such as
USA and China.
In addition, various other economic agencies and
functions such as Digital Hub, Dublin Docklands
Development Authority, the City of Dublin Enterprise
Board etc., are/will be incorporated into Dublin City
Council.
The extended ‘dublinbikes’ scheme has significantly
increased the connectedness of the city; and as such, will
enhance the potential of its various economic clusters;
e.g. Digital Hub to Docklands.
The Local Enterprise Office (replacing DCEB) is now
based in the Civic Offices supporting local enterprise and
entrepreneurs.The introduction of Strategic Development
Zone (SDZ) planning schemes for areas such as the
Docklands will bring socio-economic benefits to the
areas and the State.
1 See http://www.dublincity.ie/sites/default/files/content//Planning/Documents/Vacant%20Land%20
Memorandum.pdf
2 Destination Dublin – A Collective Strategy for Growth to 2020’; Grow Dublin Taskforce
http://www.failteireland.ie/FailteIreland/media/WebsiteStructure/Documents/4_Corporate_Documents/
Strategy_Operations_Plans/Dublin-a-Collective-Strategy-for-Tourism-Growth.pdf
11
Some Emerging Sectors and Areas with Growth
Potential
Dublin is successful in attracting international students
and English language students in line with national and
City Council Development Plan policies. However, while
there is a growing shortage of student accommodation,
there are international investors and providers willing to
develop, such as the scheme currently under construction
at Digital Hub. In other cities, clusters of professionally
managed student accommodation are significant forces
for regeneration of areas. The various food sectors in
the city are a growth industry. In 2011, the City Council
produced a discussion document “Food and the City” that
outlined the employment and economic development
potential of the various sub-sectors3. The café/restaurant
sector is thriving in the city; they are important sources of
employment, and critical in making the city attractive for
workers, visitors and residents.
Craft distilleries and breweries with visitor centres are
major, long-established economic generators in US
cities. Currently, three are proposed in Liberties, with one
already under construction. Indoor and outdoor markets
for food and other goods are increasing and successful.
In other cities internationally they are major tourist
attractions as well as a service for residents4. The Lord
Mayor’s Taskforce on Hotel Capacity in Dublin (2014)
set out: “A new plan for tourism in Dublin: Destination
Dublin – A Collective Strategy for Growth to 2020 (and)
identified that if Dublin showed a return to growth, then
an additional 5,000 rooms would be required. The supply
of registered self-catering units, at 50, is very low for a
city of Dublin’s size.”
3 See http://www.dublincity.ie/sites/default/files/content//Planning/EconomicDevelopment/Documents/
food_and_city_final_april.pdf
4 The Part 8 planning application to include retail and generally radically improve the City Council
Fruit and Vegetable Market has been submitted.
dublin city
development plan 2016-22
Some Issues for Consideration

How can the development plan promote a
greater supply of offices, housing and hotels
where shortages are emerging?

How can we encourage more FDI investment in
the physical development of the city? How do we
optimise the potential of Real Estate Investment
Trusts (REITs)?




Many of the city’s most important visitor
attractions are in regeneration areas with
significant challenges in terms of vacant land
and buildings, and with a public domain in
need of improvement. How can we extend the
‘Dubline’ tourist route investment project to other
parts of the city?

How do we release the economic potential of the
Georgian quarters whether as visitor attractions
or unique places to live, as set out in “The Future
of the South Georgian Core” (Dublin City Council
20136)?

How can we encourage the further development
of the various food sectors in the city? What kind
of planning approach should be taken towards
the role of cafes and restaurants in the city?
The Z6 employment zone includes office
districts in the city centre (e.g. Harcourt Street)
and suburban industrial estates. Do we need to
refine this zoning?

The Development Plan states that the inner city
area is the key national innovation resource. It
also recognises the need to improve the linkages
(proximity) between key economic generators
such as Docklands or the Digital Hub and the
core city centre. How can we best implement this
objective, including improved public domain and
better provision for pedestrians?

There is significant international investment
interest in developing and managing high
quality student accommodation in Dublin.
This is a great opportunity in providing high
quality accommodation, enlivening the city,
regeneration etc. Do we need to refine existing
policy to optimise the benefits for the city?
The extensive 63 hectares of vacant land in
Dublin’s inner city is both a great challenge and
an opportunity for the city. How can we expedite
the early and high quality development of these
c. 300 sites?

The current Development Plan states that the
transformation of regeneration areas, especially
inner city areas, is a “key policy priority” as this
area is the city’s “core economic generator”.
What new policies or approaches do we need to
achieve the transformation of these regeneration
areas?
The Quality of Place in the City/Quality of Life/
the Liveable City/ Safe, Clean, Green; are key
international competitiveness issues for cities to
attract FDI; mobile talent; tourists, international
students etc. How can we ensure that Dublin
is world-class in terms of these international
attractiveness factors?

The Development Plan recognises that openness
and diversity are economically beneficial to the
city. Can planning policy help implement the new
statutory duty on public bodies to have regard to
human rights and equality in the carrying out of
their functions5 in a way that is beneficial to the
city and its economy?

Density drives productivity and innovation in a
city; do we need to assess our Plot Ratio/Site
Coverage standards for its economic impacts?

Tourism is set out as one of Amsterdam’s five
economic pillars. How do we enhance existing
Development Plan policies and objectives on
tourism to deliver on its great potential for the
city?
5 Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014. See also “Globalisation, Diversity and
Economic Renewal”, Dublin City Council (2011).
12
6 http://dublincity.ie/sites/default/files/content/Planning/OtherDevelopmentPlans/AreaActionPlans/
Documents/DCCSCSISouthGeorgianCore.pdf
dublin city
development plan 2016-22
5 - Movement and Transport
The current City Development Plan seeks to promote
the integration of land-use and transportation in order
to accommodate as much movement as possible by
high quality public transport, by walking and by cycling.
Whilst the approach of the current plan remains valid, the
policy context has changed significantly, and cooperation
between various agencies responsible for public transport
is a key requirement.
The transportation policies and objectives of the new City
Development Plan will be guided by the objectives of the
National Transport Authority’s (NTA’s) draft transport
strategy 2011-2030 and the related 2013-2018 integrated
implementation plan. The document ‘Smarter Travel – A
Sustainable Transport Future‘ (Department of Transport,
Tourism & Sport) is also influential in encouraging the
growth of more sustainable modes of transport. It set
out ambitious national-level targets for the period 20092020 which included a reduction in the total share of car
commuting from 65% to 45%, and a related increase in
walking, cycling and public transport modes to 55% of
total commuter journeys to work.
Within Dublin, the number of persons crossing the canal
cordon in the morning peak provides useful information.
In the period 2006-2013, the proportion of commuters
walking and cycling increased while the proportion
using public transport declined. Looking closer at public
transport, an increase of 20% in LUAS use during this
period was offset by significant reductions in bus and rail
use. Meanwhile, cycling increased by 87% during this
period, with the ‘cycle to work’ and ‘dublinbikes’ schemes
incentivising cycle use. A key challenge for the next plan
is to achieve significant gains in public transport use and
further increases in numbers walking and cycling.
Numbers of persons crossing the canal cordon inbound
between 7 and 10 a.m. – 2006-2013.
2006
2013
Persons crossing
the canal ring total
By public transport
207,379
192,188
%
change
20062013
- 7.3%
102,437
91,981
- 10.2%
By car
76,850
68,072
- 11.4%
Walking
17,114
17,495
+ 2.2%
Cycling
4839
9061
+ 87.2%
Source; NTA 2014
The integration of land use and transportation has
a key role to play in delivering social, economic and
environmental sustainability. Higher residential densities
can be sustained in areas proximate to public transport
corridors, where mixed-use neighbourhoods reduce the
need to travel elsewhere for services.
13
Transport Strategy & the Importance of a Regional
Approach
Following the Government’s earlier ‘Transport 21’ strategy
and the economic difficulties encountered nationally over
the last 5-6 years, the planned public transport network
has been modified in recent NTA proposals. Some
objectives may take longer to achieve than originally
envisaged and therefore interim measures are proposed;
for example, Bus Rapid Transit routes are being planned
to serve areas that will be eventually served by METRO
routes. The next development plan must take account
of the expected sequence of planned public transport
delivery so as to maximise sustainable transport usage.
Dublin as the capital city and a regional employment
centre must accommodate journeys not only generated
in the city area, but also those originating in surrounding
counties. The challenge is how to integrate policy
approaches with similar policies of surrounding counties,
thereby ensuring a consistent approach across the
region. In this regard, policies for the City will be guided
by strategic recommendations set out in statutory
‘Regional Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin
Area 2010-2022’, the proposed new Regional, Spatial
and Economic Strategies (2016 onwards) and also NTA
policy.
dublin city
development plan 2016-22
Future of the City
Public Transport & Mobility Management
Cycling & Walking
Currently, over 190,000 people travel to the city centre in
the mornings and this is projected to increase significantly
by 2020. The challenge is how best to manage access
to, and mobility within the city. Because the City Centre
is the most accessible area in terms of public transport,
it is therefore the most appropriate area to consolidate,
as intensification here can be accommodated in a
sustainable manner. A major issue we need to address
is how the city’s limited road space can accommodate
the spatial needs of public transport, pedestrians, cyclists
and the private car.
Provision of an efficient and integrated public transport
system promotes sustainable development, helps
improve the urban environment, and helps sustain
economic progress and competitiveness. The National
Transport Authority’s ‘2030 Vision’ for the Greater
Dublin Area will now guide policy to the year 2030.
This includes proposals for the rail interconnector, bus
investment, two Metro routes (Metro North and Metro
West) and further Luas line construction, with a strong
focus on the integration of routes and services. Given
that responsibility for public transport rests with a range
of separate agencies, strategic co-ordination of planning
objectives along with integration of services remains a
key requirement.
Cycling infrastructure has improved in recent years, and
the number of cyclists crossing the city’s canals increased
by 87% in the period 2006-2013. The ‘dublinbikes’ free
bike scheme has also gained popularity, resulting in the
scheme’s recent expansion into new areas. The NTA has
carried out extensive work leading to the publication of a
detailed Cycle Network Plan for the Greater Dublin Area,
and this will help inform the next development plan. The
question now is - how can more people be encouraged
to cycle (or walk) instead of using private cars for
short journeys? For cycling to increase in popularity,
appropriate infrastructure must be provided – and this
includes improved layouts at junctions (for example)
and also the availability of high-quality, cycle parking,
particularly in the city centre.
Kerbside space and infrastructure for electric cars and
car clubs increase the competition for street space.
Clearly a balance must be struck between meeting these
demands and keeping the city moving from a commercial
point of view. Volumes of through-traffic in busy mixeduse areas remain an issue to be addressed.
Mobility management aims to reduce demand for,
and use of cars by increasing the attractiveness and
practicality of other modes of transport. Collaboration
with communities, schools, workplaces and agencies
can bring about modal shift on the ground. Projects such
as ‘Hike It Bike It Like It Drimnagh!’ demonstrate that a
partnership approach between the City Council and local
communities can be successful in changing how people
in an area travel from day to day. Similarly, under the
‘Green Schools’ initiative run by An Taisce, environmental
sustainability is encouraged, and this includes the
promotion of walking/cycling to school. Of course, the
design of new areas can also assist in minimising the
need to travel by car.
14
The quality of the pedestrian experience of the city centre
is important to our perception of the city – whether as part
of journeys to work or more leisurely trips. It influences
people’s enjoyment of the city and is dependent on
quality public realm including pedestrian routes and
public spaces. More people will use public transport
in the future when new facilities are provided, and this
will put further pedestrian pressure on certain areas as
footfall increases. This requires consideration as part of
the development plan review. As more and more space
is given over to public transport and cycling, it is crucial to
ensure that sufficient space is retained for pedestrians,
and to increase this space where possible.
dublin city
development plan 2016-22
Car Parking and Car Sharing
Provision of car parking is necessary for the functioning
of the city, and as part of an effective land-use and
transportation policy. Current policy is to restrict parking
to encourage both public transport use and walking/
cycling, particularly in the City Centre which is well
served by public transport. Technology is likely to play an
increasingly important role in helping motorists both find
parking spaces and paying for them, thereby improving
convenience.
In reviewing the City’s interaction between land uses and
transportation options, it will be essential to ascertain the
success or otherwise of parking standards which have
previously been implemented. The preservation of onstreet car parking as a resource for residents, visitors
and businesses is becoming increasingly important as
competition for road space increases. In particular,
increasing pressure to remove on-street parking in order
to facilitate other uses means that it is becoming more
important that new private developments meet their own
needs without relying on the public street.
Car sharing and the sharing of private vehicles reduce
numbers of vehicles on the streets whilst ensuring users
are not solely dependent on public transport. Whilst
car sharing is a relatively new concept in the city, the
expansion of such schemes has potential to significantly
reduce car ownership and also to reduce demand for
parking in the city.
Environmental Considerations
Environmentally damaging emissions and noise pollution
from motorised transport can impact on public health
and on the perception of the city generally. In Dublin
City, transport accounts for 25% of the primary energy
consumption and 26% of CO2 emissions. Emissions
must be minimised to achieve a sustainable transport
network, reduce associated health effects, and to lower
impacts on climate change. A shift from private transport
use to public transport, cycling and walking therefore
has multiple benefits, yet the proportion of commuters
travelling to work by car in the Greater Dublin Area
actually increased in the period 2006-2011. This remains
a significant challenge to be addressed
15
dublin city
development plan 2016-22
Some Issues for Consideration
 What measures would encourage a more
significant changeover from private car to
public transport, cycling and walking? Can local
community initiatives help?
 What is the role for the car, pedestrian and
cyclist within the City Centre area? Are existing
car parking standards appropriate? Are there
possibilities for further limiting car-parking
provision?
 Should private developments accommodate
their own car and cycle parking and loading and
servicing needs within their own sites and not be
reliant on this occurring on the public road?
 How can the cycling environment be improved
for cyclists in the city? What form should any
new cycle-parking facilities take?
 What measures are needed to create a high
quality street environment, providing a safer
and more attractive setting for people to move
around, socialise and to do business? Should the
function of city streets be considered in detail?
 Should the pedestrianised street network in the
City Centre be extended?
 At what scale or threshold of proposed
development should Mobility Management Plans
(MMPs) be a requirement?
 How could Dublin City Council be more proactive
in engaging with communities, businesses,
schools, hospitals and other agencies etc.,
to promote more walking, cycling and public
transport use?
 Do current parking standards need critical
review? Should there be tighter controls on
parking provision in the vicinity of public transport
routes? Should there be greater provision for
park-and-ride?
 What policies and objectives can be used to
encourage modal change from private car use
to more sustainable forms of transport? How
can the Development Plan promote the use of
cleaner, more environmentally-friendly vehicles?
 Should specific public road space be reserved for
car club parking and for the charging of electric
vehicles across the city, including residential
streets?
 How can the new Development Plan facilitate
improved coordination between land-use and
transportation facilities in order to achieve more
sustainable development?
16
dublin city
development plan 2016-22
6 - Population and Housing
Population Change
Population Targets
Density and Standards
For the 20-year period between 1991 and 2011, intercensus population change data shows a growth rate
of 9.8% for Dublin City, 23.9% for the Dublin Region,
and 63.1% for the Mid-East Region. This indicates that
Dublin City has a relatively low population growth rate in
regional terms and that population dispersal is continuing
across the Dublin region and beyond. It also emphasises
the need for Dublin City to provide quality housing in
sustainable neighbourhoods to meet the future needs of
all members of the community.
The Regional Planning Guidelines (RPG) for the Greater
Dublin Area 2010 contains a population target for Dublin
City of 606,110 in 2022. Some 21,000 residential units
were completed in the city between 2006 and 2013;
however, the number of completions in recent years
has fallen to around 500 per annum. A very sharp rise
in housing completions in the order of 7,000 plus per
year would be required to make up for the shortfall in
completions in recent years and meet the current RPG
target for 2022.
In 2011, the population of Dublin City was 525,383, which
is almost 10% higher than it was in 1991. However,
population change is not evenly distributed, with the
population of the inner city growing by 61.6% whilst the
population of the outer city fell by 1.2%. This reflects
the significant amount of higher density apartment
and mixed-use development in the inner city whilst
development in the outer city has been counterbalanced
by de-population in mature suburban areas.
The 2012 housing land availability survey estimated that
there were 440 hectares of zoned land in Dublin City
suitable for residential and mixed-use development. It is
vital to optimise this potential, particularly as the city has
a finite supply of land. In this context, measures may
need to be taken to increase housing capacity in the city
such as increasing residential densities or altering zoning
objectives to allow for more residential development in
order to demonstrate that the new development plan
provides sufficient capacity to meet the current Regional
Planning Guidelines target.
Dublin City needs to encourage innovation in housing
typology which delivers on peoples preferences in a
sustainable manner. Currently, there are pressures to
provide low-density suburban houses juxtaposed with
pressures to provide studios or micro-apartments. A
recent report from the Housing Agency indicates that
57% of the demand for new housing in the Dublin region
will be for one and two person households in the 2014 2018 period and this has consequences for the type and
density of housing supply required. An issue is how can
the development plan encourage the provision of house
types for all life stages and potentially facilitate stock
rotation to ensure existing larger homes are available for
families? The range of accommodation options available
for single-person occupancy (or smaller households) is a
related concern.
There were 208,008 private households in Dublin City
in 2011. Dublin City has a higher proportion of oneperson households and a lower proportion of couples
with children compared to State averages. Furthermore,
the average number of persons per household in Dublin
City dropped from 2.6 in 2002 to 2.4 in 2011. Falling
household size will increase the need for homes suitable
for 1 to 2 people.
Notwithstanding the above, the regional targets are to
be reviewed shortly and may be reduced on the basis of
the most recent population projections from the Central
Statistics Office in 2013, which take account of 2011
census data, and indicate that an appropriate population
target for Dublin City is 580,000 in 2022, or some 26,000
less than the current Regional Planning Guidelines
target.
17
Furthermore, the Government’s construction strategy
‘Construction 2020’ indicates that good quality homes
are needed and that it is time to learn from past mistakes.
Making apartments attractive to live in for a wider variety
of households is an important argument to maintain
and perhaps even enhance standards, particularly in
inner city locations. The population of the city is ageing,
and we may need to explore special retirement style
accommodation.
dublin city
development plan 2016-22
Housing Supply
Vacancy
There are particular concerns about housing supply in
the Dublin region, with only 1,360 homes completed in
2013, or about 16% of the national total. There has also
been a reduction in mobility in the housing market for
a range of reasons including negative equity, protection
of tracker mortgages, and financing constraints. Limited
supply combined with a significant reduction in the
number of second-hand houses being placed on the
market has resulted in increased upward pressure on
prices, especially in Dublin. The Central Statistics Office
monthly Residential Property Price Index indicates that
Dublin residential property prices grew by 25.1% in the
year to August 2014.
There are some unfinished estates in the City Council
area, though these tend to be relatively small in scale,
with the problem more significant in outer commuter and
rural areas. Dublin City had a vacancy rate of 10.7% in
2011 which is high considering a typical vacancy rate in
a functioning market would be expected to be about 4.56%. A challenge for Dublin City is to establish effective
means to encourage the use of existing vacant stock,
including disused upper floors in order to address rising
housing demand in the city.
Dublin City Council is part of a regional Housing Supply
Coordination Task Force focusing on monitoring trends
in the supply of approved developments and working
to identify and address any obstacles to viable and
appropriate development. The forthcoming Planning Bill
will include measures to enhance housing supply with the
introduction of a vacant land levy aimed at incentivising
the development of vacant sites in urban areas and
enabling planning authorities to modify the duration of
planning permissions where larger developments do not
keep to a submitted schedule for construction.
In addition to the development of a new funding and
management model, the priorities of the Dublin City
Council Housing Department are to: increase the
supply of social housing; improve existing housing
stock; support independent living; improve housing
services; and address the needs of people experiencing
homelessness.
The forthcoming Planning Bill is likely to include new Part
V provisions requiring developers to provide up to 10% of
their housing units for social housing, and will ensure that
social housing units will be located predominantly on the
site where the original development is located.
Housing Regeneration & Social Housing
Homelessness
Dublin City Council’s Public Private Partnership projects
collapsed with the downturn in the economy and the
associated decline in the property market in 2008. In this
context, a multi-disciplinary task force was established
by Dublin City Council, which has secured permission
for the initial phase(s) of regeneration at O’Devaney
Gardens, Dominick Street, St. Teresa’s Gardens and
Dolphin House. A challenge for Dublin City Council is the
growing demand for social housing and how to increase
the provision of social housing in regeneration areas
and elsewhere in the context of constrained exchequer
funding and restricted capital expenditure.
The Council in consultation with institutional investors
is seeking to reduce its reliance on Exchequer funding
and devise a model that will not negatively impact on the
public sector borrowing requirement.
18
Dublin City Council is the lead statutory authority for
homelessness in the Dublin region and continues
to implement the Homeless Action Plan. The main
emphasis of the Homeless Action Plan and a major
challenge for the Council is to continue to provide for
long-term accommodation in line with Government
policy which is to take a housing-led approach to tackling
homelessness.
dublin city
development plan 2016-22
Student Accommodation
There is a need for high quality, purpose-built and
professionally managed student accommodation in
Dublin City. The student accommodation provisions of
the development plan need to be updated to encourage
the provision of additional high quality accommodation
for a growing sector of the economy.
Some Issues for Consideration
 How can Dublin City provide for the housing
needs of all groups, including older people,
students, people with disabilities, the homeless,
etc.?
 Where should new social housing be provided in
the city?
 How can the provision of social housing be
increased in the context of constrained exchequer
funding and capital expenditure?
Inclusive Communities
Dublin is now a culturally diverse cosmopolitan city
which: promotes the provision of new accommodation
for older people with housing associations; addresses
traveller disadvantage issues at inter-agency and local
traveller accommodation consultative committee level;
promotes citizen engagement through various initiatives
including the EU TURAS project which aims to empower
citizens to create sustainable and resilient urban areas.
 How can the new City Development Plan
encourage innovation in housing typology which
delivers on peoples’ preferences in a sustainable
manner?
 How should the new Development Plan respond
to the changing demography of the city including
falling household size, which will increase the
need for homes suitable for 1 to 2 people?
For example, should retirement villages be
considered?
 How can the new Development Plan encourage
the provision of house types for all life stages
and potentially facilitate stock rotation to ensure
existing larger homes are available for families?
 How can the residential potential of the city be
optimised in the context of limited land availability
and increasing demand?
19
 What are the obstacles to viable and appropriate
development which the forthcoming Development
Plan should seek to address?
 What measures should be considered to
encourage the use of existing vacant stock,
including disused upper floors, in order to address
rising housing demand in the city?
 Where should high quality student accommodation
be provided and what standards should apply?
dublin city
development plan 2016-22
7 - Physical Infrastructure
Introduction
Energy
Water Supply & Wastewater Treatment
The efficient and timely delivery of necessary
infrastructure capacity in advance of the planned quantum
of development is a prerequisite for successful urban
development. Ensuring the delivery of this infrastructure
in a sustainable manner, which enhances the quality
of the city’s environment and facilitates the sustainable
economic growth and co-ordinated development of the
city, is also an essential requirement.
On a global level, climate change is recognised as an
issue of increasing significance to the environment. Fossil
fuel use is responsible for over half of all Greenhouse
Gas Emissions (GHG) globally, and the majority of these
emissions come from energy supply, transport, residential
and commercial buildings, and industry. Reducing energy
consumption and finding alternative renewable sources
for energy and transportation are the most prominent
issues targeted by national and international policies in
order to reduce CO2 contributions. 7
The Dublin region faces a number of infrastructural
challenges particularly in the supply and demand of a
high quality drinking water and also for wastewater
treatment.
Dublin City Council needs to look to more sustainable
energy technologies that are clean sources of energy
and which have a lower environmental impact on the
receiving environment. Sustainable energy sources
can reduce air emissions as well as water consumption,
waste, noise and adverse land-use impacts.
At a more strategic level, climate change is one of the
most significant and challenging issues currently facing
humanity. Increased levels of greenhouse gases, such
as CO2, increase the amount of energy trapped in the
atmosphere which leads to global impacts such as
increased temperatures, melting of snow and ice and
raising the global average sea-level. It is important that
Dublin City responds to these challenges.
The European Union (EU) has set ambitious targets of
20% reduction of CHGs from 1990 levels, 20% of energy
consumption to come from Renewable Energy Sources
(RES) and 20% improvement in Energy Efficiency (EE)
by 2020, also known as the ‘’20-20-20’’ targets.
The two main EU Directives that set about achieving
these targets are the EU Efficiency (EE) Directive
(2012/27/EU) and the EU Renewable Energy Sources
(RES) Directive (2009/28/EC) which requires that 20%
of the energy consumed within the European Union is
renewable. The target set for Ireland is 16% of national
gross final energy consumption to come from renewable
energy sources (RES) by 2020 across the electricity,
heat and transport sectors.
The Regional Planning Guidelines (RPGs) identify the
need for a more sustainable mix of energy sources, and to
support low carbon technologies and sustainable modes
of transport. The RPGs identify the need to develop
Energy Action Plans and Climate Change Strategies at
a local level.
7 Energy Issues and Climate Change Mitigation; Background Paper, Codema September 2014
20
Irish Water is responsible for public water services, and for
capital and investment decisions regarding the country’s
water infrastructure on a national basis. Irish Water was
established in 2013 as a semi-State company under the
Water Services Act 2013. From 2014, Irish Water took
over responsibility from the Local Authorities on a phased
basis for the operation of public water services including
management of national water assets, maintenance of
the water systems, investment and planning, together
with the management of capital projects.
Ringsend Waste Water Treatment Plant serves Dublin
City and parts of neighbouring counties. Its contributing
residential population is in the order of 1.1 million and the
total load is 1.7m PE (population equivalent) on average,
with significant daily fluctuations. Irish Water has stated
that the current works which were commissioned in 2003,
and the subsequent improvements during the 10 years of
operation, have greatly improved operating performance
and stability of the process and the odour issues which
arose during the plant’s first years of operation, and this
has been essentially eliminated.
Dublin City Council will continue to work closely with
Irish Water and endeavour to ensure that the Dublin
City Council Core Strategy continues to align with the
Regional Planning Guidelines and that the provision of
water/wastewater services will not be a limiting factor in
terms of forecasted growth.
dublin city
development plan 2016-22
Surface Water & Flood Risk Management
Climate change brings with it new challenges for Dublin
City in the area of flood management. The challenges
relate to extreme weather events (including pluvial/
monster rain) and the rise in mean sea-level with potential
storm surges.
Dublin City Council, in conjunction with the Office of
Public Works, has responsibility for surface water
drainage and Flood Risk Management. The Department
of Environment, Communities and Local Government
(DECLG), in conjunction with the OPW, produced
Guidelines for Planning Authorities on ‘The Planning
System and Flood Risk Management’, 2009. The
guidelines will ensure that where relevant, flood risk
is a key consideration in preparing development plans
and local area plans and in the assessment of planning
applications. Planning Authorities and An Bord Pleanála
are required to have regard to these guidelines in carrying
out their functions under the Planning Acts.
Dublin City Council is committed to assisting the Office of
Public Works (OPW) in relation to the Eastern Catchment
Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM)
Studies. CFRAM Studies have been completed by the
OPW in conjunction with local authorities for the River
Liffey and River Dodder catchments, which identify
flood risk areas, and the structural and non-structural
measures and options for managing flood risks. The
associated flood maps will be incorporated into the
Dublin City Development Plan.
Under the Waste Management Act 1996, as amended,
a Development Plan is required to include the objectives
of the Waste Management Plan for its area. Any waste
management policies and objectives contained within
the new Regional Plan will be reflected within the new
Dublin City Development Plan 2016-2022.
Waste Management
In Dublin, the blueprint for the development of drainage
services and flood protection over the next quarter century
is set out in the Greater Dublin Strategic Drainage Study
(GDSDS). That study identified, at a strategic level,
the infrastructure required to service existing and new
development in the context of dealing with storm water
and foul effluent. As part of the production of this study a
detailed report was prepared on climate change impacts
and this document gives coherent guidance, particularly
to new development, on how climate change impacts
should be addressed.
In addition, the regional waste-planning framework is to
be re-shaped to allow for greater resource efficiencies
in the implementation of the plans and to better reflect
the movement of waste. The transformation from ten
regions to three has been formally completed with the
new regions as follows (a) Eastern-Midlands Region,
(b) Connacht-Ulster Region; and (c) Southern Region.
The Draft Eastern and Midlands Regional Waste
Management Plan (2015-2021) is currently being
prepared and its main purpose is to provide a planning,
policy and implementation framework for the prevention
and management of non-hazardous wastes generated in
the region.
The Waste Framework Directive sets out the approach
for the sustainable management of waste in the
Member States of the European Community and this
has been transposed into Irish law by the European
Communities (Waste Directive) Regulations 2011.
The transposing regulations led to amendments of the
Waste Management Act and the requirement to review
and, if necessary, prepare regional waste management
plans within the State remains. In July 2012, the latest
Government National Waste Policy document, A
Resource Opportunity, recommended the consolidation
of the waste regions to a maximum of three, providing
greater consistency and co-ordination with other planning
frameworks.
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Telecommunications
Dublin City Council recognises the importance of
telecommunications infrastructure to the city of
Dublin. The availability of services such as high-speed
broadband is essential to the national economy but also
to local communities in everyday life. Telecommunication
infrastructure in Ireland is generally provided on a
private basis and is regulated by the Commission for
Communications Regulation (ComReg), which is a
statutory body responsible for the regulation of the
electronic communication sector.
Air & Noise Quality Dublin
EU Directives set out air quality standards in Ireland and
other member states for a wide variety of pollutants. The
EU Commission set out the principles to this approach
in 1996 with its Air Quality Framework Directive.
Four ‘daughter’ directives lay down limits for specific
pollutants. The Ambient Air Quality and Cleaner Air for
Europe (CAFE) Directive (2008/50/EC) replaced the
Framework Directive and the first, second and third
‘Daughter Directives’. The fourth Daughter Directive
(2004/107/EC) will be included in CAFE at a later state.
Some Issues for Consideration
According to the Environmental Protection Agency
emissions from road traffic are now the primary threat to
the quality of air in Ireland; the pollutants of most concern
in this regard are nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particle
matter, expressed as PM10 & PM2.5.
The EU Environmental Noise Directive (2002/49/EC) put
in place a Europe-wide system for identifying sources of
environmental noise, informing the public about relevant
noise data and taking necessary steps to reduce noise.
All member states are required to develop strategic noise
maps.
Dublin City Council has adopted a number of new
policies to help manage environmental noise exposure
throughout the city and has cooperated with the three
County Councils of Dublin to produce a combined Noise
Action Plan for Dublin, which covers the period from 2013
to 2018 and lays out the measures for the management
of environmental noise exposure.
 How can we ensure the timely provision of major
physical infrastructure projects to facilitate the
sustainable economic growth of the city?
 How should flood risk be addressed and what
further mitigation measures/projects are needed
to minimise potential flooding in the city?
 How should we further encourage renewable
energy use along with energy supply?
 What further measures can be introduced to
improve energy efficiency in our current building
stock, and to encourage the use of large-scale
District Heating for new and existing building
stock?
 How can the new City Development Plan meet
its national targets for renewable heat, and to
increase the amount of sustainable fuels and
high efficiency technologies used to supply heat
in the city?
 What measures can be provided in the new
Development Plan to ensure that Dublin City
is well served in terms of telecommunications
infrastructure, including broadband?
The introduction of the ban on the sale of bituminous fuel
in 1990 led to a dramatic and sustained improvement
in air quality in Dublin. While some major sources of
air pollution have been largely eliminated, others such
as emissions from the transport sector have emerged.
The Clean Air Package announced by the European
Commission in 2014 will involve a fundamental shift in
tackling air emissions at source, with the possibility of
introducing even tighter air quality standards from 2020
onwards.
 What can the City Council do to further promote
waste reduction, and to encourage recycling?
 What measures are needed to improve our Air
Quality and reduce Noise Pollution in the City?
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8 - Green Infrastructure, Landscape, Open
Space & Recreation
Dublin is shaped by its major landscape features –
the Phoenix Park, the Liffey, Dublin Bay and the river
valleys of the Tolka and Dodder. These features are
complemented by the man-made amenities and green
spaces of the city squares and historic gardens, the
canals and waterfront promenades. All of these features
contribute to the city’s high quality environment.
Green Infrastructure
The city’s green infrastructure – the network of green
areas around us, the natural heritage and recreational
amenities – plays a key role in creating and sustaining
places, making the city an attractive place to live,
benefiting health and well-being and making sure that
the essential components of environmental sustainability
are safeguarded
Green Infrastructure (GI) can therefore be described as
the interconnected networks of land and water around
us that help sustain environmental diversity and enrich
our own quality of life. Dublin City has valuable natural
resources and the city’s Green Infrastructure Network
incorporates the following range of assets:
a) Parks, gardens, institutional grounds, allotments
and community gardens.
b) Green and blue corridors, including rivers and
canals, including their banks, streets, road and
rail corridors, cycling routes and rights-of-way.
d) Archaeological and historic sites and sites of
natural heritage or ecological value.
e) Functional spaces such as flood storage areas
and sustainable drainage schemes.
f)
Buildings and hard-surfaced areas incorporating
greening initiatives such as green roofs, green
walls, and planters.
Green Infrastructure presents a tool for providing
ecological, economic and social benefits through natural
solutions. It helps us to understand the value of the
benefits that nature provides to human society and to
mobilise investments to sustain and enhance them. It
also helps avoid relying on infrastructure that is expensive
to build when nature can often provide cheaper, more
durable solutions (for example, GI can reduce volumes
of surface water and related pipework). Many of these
green infrastructure solutions also create and support
local job opportunities.
It is crucial that the City Council, through the new
Development Plan, raises the profile and awareness
of Green Infrastructure over “grey” solutions.
Traditional “grey” infrastructure solutions to storm water
management require expensive pipes, detention basins
and storage tanks. They can entail increased energy
costs associated with pumping water. Typically built for
only a single purpose, they can also be difficult to site in
built-up places.
c) Natural and semi-natural green spaces
including, wetlands, grassland, brownfield sites,
and coastal areas.
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A successful Green Infrastructure strategy in the city will
improve the city’s visual appeal because green space
makes places more inviting and attractive and enhances a
sense of wellbeing. People living and working with a view
of natural landscapes appreciate the various textures,
colours, and shapes of native plants. Birds, butterflies,
and other wildlife attracted to the plants add to the
aesthetic beauty and appeal of green spaces and natural
landscaping. Green space also offers possibilities in
terms of increasing social activity, improving community
cohesion, developing local attachment and lowering
crime levels, particularly in deprived communities. In
addition, there is much evidence of Green Infrastructure
delivering key benefits for public health and wellbeing,
including:
• Increased life expectancy and reduced health inequality
• Improvements in levels of physical activity and health
• Improved psychological health and mental wellbeing
Ecosystem-based strategies that harness the adaptive
forces of nature are among the most widely applicable,
economically viable and effective tools to combat the
impacts of climate change. When appropriate, such
strategies use Green Infrastructure solutions.
Green Infrastructure will also be a necessary addition
to reducing the carbon footprint of transport and energy
provision. Green Infrastructure solutions will contribute
significantly to the development of Green Transport
Corridors, using the potential of healthy ecosystems to
sustainably mitigate carbon emissions.
A Green Infrastructure Strategy as part of the Development
Plan review can make a significant contribution in the
areas of development management, climate change,
disaster risk management, and the environment. In most
cases, the contribution that Green Infrastructure can
make is already recognised. What is needed now is to
ensure that it becomes an integral part of Development
Plan implementation.
Many aspects of Green Infrastructure may also increase
property values by improving the aesthetics, visual
amenity, drainage, local flood protection and recreation
opportunities of an area. These in turn can help restore,
revitalise, and encourage growth in economically
distressed areas.
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Landscape and Open Space
Landscape and key open spaces give people a sense
of identity and place. Dublin’s setting on the River Liffey,
with the Dublin Mountains to the south, Howth to the
north, and also the amenities and wildlife of Dublin Bay,
are key landscape and open space features which offer
so much to the city in terms of amenity and character. The
City Council manages over 1,400 hectares (3,460 acres)
of public open space and creating additional areas of
urban green space is a priority in both newly developing
and regeneration areas. Existing areas and streets in the
urban environment can be invigorated through greening
initiatives; for example, provision of green roofs and
green streets can create new habitats.
Dublin has a proud heritage of parks. The City Council
is very conscious of this heritage and the value of our
network of green spaces and urban trees for the physical
and mental health and wellbeing of its citizens providing
as it does opportunity for rest, relaxation and recreation.
The aim of the City Council is to ensure that all citizens of
the city have reasonable and proximate access to quality
open space, nature, play and recreational facilities.
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Sports and Recreation
Dublin City Council’s Sports and Active Recreation
Strategy (2009-2016) has been developed to deliver
enhanced services to encourage healthy and active
living. The Council is promoting accessible communitybased sports & recreational facilities and programmes,
to encourage sustainable development and drive
participation rates in all sports. The Sports & Recreation
Section of the Council provides a wide range of sports
from indoor & outdoor sports to watersports. The City
Council is also a key provider of children’s play facilities.
Meeting the increased demand for sports facilities is
a major challenge, both in terms of resources and in
finding suitable locations for new facilities. The issue of
informal recreation is also increasingly recognised as
important, particularly to encourage out-of-doors activity
for children and teens. There is a need to provide spaces
for unstructured play, for casual games, for minority
sports, and also spaces for young people to meet in our
public spaces and parks.
Some Issues for Consideration
 What role should Green Infrastructure have
with respect to spatial planning/land use,
infrastructure
development,
landscape/
biodiversity and drainage? Should the role
change depending on the area?
 What are the barriers that may impede the
integration of Green Infrastructure in spatial
planning? How can these barriers be overcome?
 How can existing buildings in the city be
retrofitted with Green Infrastructure? For new
developments, what standards should be
sought? What incentives could be provided?
Should the efficiencies associated with Green
Infrastructure be highlighted, so that decisionmakers can determine the cost effectiveness of
using GI solutions?
 How can the Development Plan facilitate the
provision of more publicly accessible open space
and ensure that the new spaces are located to
address deficiencies in open space?
 Are current standards (in terms of both quantity
and quality) for public open space in new
developments appropriate? How might new
standards meet objectives for sustainable urban
development?
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 How can we provide for additional greening
of the city landscape and the protection of
existing natural features including trees and
hedgerows? What greening initiatives should be
considered for the city and incorporated into new
developments?
 How should the key areas and features of natural
beauty or interest and the landscape of historic
value be identified and conserved?
 How can we make sure that the increasing
demand for sports and leisure facilities can
be met and that all new developments are
addressing the sport and recreation needs
(including minority sports) of their communities,
including new communities?
 How can we provide for local informal recreation
and play areas suitable for all ages including
older persons and teenagers?
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9 - Retailing
Introduction
Retail Provision and Statutory Guidance
City Centre
Dublin is the primary retail destination in the country and
home to many prestigious outlets. The city is served by
a retail hierarchy ranging from large shopping centres
at the top, down to small local shops. The current
development plan aims to maintain and enhance this
retail structure through a co-ordinated approach via
the development, management and local area planning
processes. It takes account of architectural and historic
context – providing appropriate guidance for sensitive
areas. The development plan is also guided at regional
level by the ‘Retail Planning Strategy for the Greater
Dublin Area 2008 – 2016’.
The established retail hierarchy within the city aims to
ensure an appropriate degree of retail provision at each
level from local level upwards.
The city centre retail core remains the premier shopping
destination in the country, attracting shoppers from both
within and well beyond the city’s boundaries. The city
centre also has significant cultural, sporting and retail
attractions all within walking distance of each other, a
combination that gives variety of experience for those
visiting the city. Maintaining and improving the status
of this area involves a range of policy areas including
retailing, public realm, and accessibility – and therefore
a number of policy areas must function in tandem. How
various forms of retailing and non-retailing uses are
regulated in core areas of the city remains a matter for
review. This is particularly relevant in architecturally
sensitive areas of the city where poor quality shopfronts
or signage can have a negative impact.
Whilst recent years have seen a decline in retail sales
(particularly for comparison goods), current indications
suggest that consumer sentiment will slowly recover. The
context is changing, however, with both discount retailing
and online retailing (or ‘e-tailing’) emerging as major new
components of retailing in the city. Planning for the future,
therefore, requires consideration of these changes.
Level in hierarchy
Example
City Centre Retail Core
O’Connell Street, Henry
Street, Grafton Street
and environs
Ballymun, Ballyfermot,
Northside, Clongriffin,
Rathmines
Key District Centres
Neighbourhood Centres
Local/Corner Shops
Raheny, Fairview,
Ranelagh
Typical newsagents
It remains a challenge to ensure there are sufficient
populations to keep suburban retail services viable
and self-sustaining within this hierarchy; particularly in
newly planned areas where recent Local Area Plans or
Strategic Development Zones are in place. Such areas
include Clongriffin/Belmayne, Ashtown/Pelletstown, and
Dublin’s Docklands. Of course, the quality of the retail
offer in older established centres is also important, with
some centres in need of redevelopment or refurbishment.
Local markets can also play a role and these add diversity
to the shopping experience.
The statutory Guidelines for Planning Authorities on
Retail Planning and related Retail Design Manual
(2012) set out best practice for retail development and
include policy objectives of promoting city/town centre
vitality through a sequential and plan-led approach to
development, enabling tailored proposals, a preference
for public transport access to such outlets, and ensuring
that new development is of a high design standard.
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It is considered desirable to improve the retail connectivity
between the main retail cores of Henry Street/O’Connell
Street and Grafton Street, with new retail outlets in
the connecting areas and an improved pedestrian
environment. Also, larger retail buildings and units are at
a premium in the city centre, particularly around Grafton
Street, which may lead some retailers with specific
requirements to seek units further from the retail core or
outside the city boundary.
Paradoxically, there are also areas in other prime
locations (such as O’Connell Street) where plans for
extensive multi-storey retail developments have been
postponed. Vacancy of retail units in parts of the city has
been a problem for some time now, and the City Council
is open to new ways of addressing this issue.
New Retailing Options
Retail and Urban Experience
The continued rise of online retailing, or ‘e-tailing’ mainly for comparison shopping - presents a challenge
to and also new responses from comparison retailers,
leading to changes in the retail offer, including targeted
advertising and in-store online shopping. The model
for fashion and luxury retailing has been changing and
is now integrated with tourism, leisure, and ‘wellness’
concepts, with leisure facilities in some cases mixed with
the more traditional retail offer.
Large suburban centres such as Dundrum Town Centre
have been very successful and this is not only because
of the broad retail offer but also because of the general
ambience within the complex and accessibility options.
In response, DCC and the Business Improvement
District scheme (BID) have promoted initiatives to make
the city centre a more pleasant place to shop by initiating
street enhancement schemes, such as currently being
undertaken on Grafton Street, or by ongoing litter/graffiti
removal.
This is a result of floor areas being freed up as demand
for comparison goods moves online. Given emerging
retail practices, the provision of adequate broadband
coverage and smart technology may well be as important
a factor for generating sales as floorspace currently is
doing. Also, the growth of cruise tourism in Dublin has
taken place relatively recently, and there may be options
to expand or improve the retail offer available to these
visitors.
Some existing district centres and shopping centres
across the city are of an ageing typology and are difficult
to upgrade without great expense, whilst in some city
streets, particularly off the main shopping thoroughfares,
there is a proliferation of non-retail uses such as mobile
phone outlets, coffee shops and other services which
can sometimes impact on the retail character of these
streets.
There is also recognition, however, that such uses offer
a supporting ancillary role to retail, so it is therefore
important to achieve a satisfactory balance between
these uses and core retailing. Part of the development
plan review process will therefore examine how streets
function in relation to core retail provision, service
provision or both.
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Some Issues for Consideration
 What is the best means of improving the retail
viability of the city?
 The existing retail hierarchy descends from
the city centre through district centres down
to neighbourhood and local centres. How are
changing patterns of retailing impacting on this?
 Vacancy has been an ongoing problem in some
areas. Should more be done to encourage
temporary uses and pop-up shops in these
units?
 The city centre retail core includes two significant
attractors centred around Henry Street/O’Connell
Street on the northside and Grafton Street on
the southside. How can the retail offer of these
areas be better connected?
 How can local markets including farmers’
markets be supported and developed further?
What role can the City Council play in assisting
their progress?
 Luxury retail tourism driven by overseas visitors
has increased in the last few years. How can
this benefit the city whilst also improving choice
and convenience for these tourists?
 Is there an appropriate balance/distribution
between retail and restaurants/cafes in different
Category 1 and Category 2 Shopping Streets
(see Chapter 10 and Figure 18 of the current
Development Plan)?
 Has the growth of supermarkets and convenience
stores had an impact on local shopping or
provided greater access for all to convenience
(food) shopping?
 Has the growth of online retailing diminished the
vitality of retail centres? Will the development
of smart technology reduce the need for product
display?
 The catchment areas of some major retail
centres located outside the city boundary extend
significantly into the Dublin City area. How can
the City maximise shopping opportunity and
choice for those who live/work or visit the city?
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10 - Culture and Heritage
10.1
Built Heritage
Introduction
Dublin City Council aims to identify and protect the
special qualities of the city’s historic features, whilst
also promoting greater awareness of their character
and value. There is a strong cultural and economic
justification for valuing and protecting our built heritage
as it is a tangible link with the past and also constitutes a
vital tourism revenue stream for the city. Built heritage in
the development plan spans across the three realms of
conservation, archaeology and heritage and each in turn
are examined below.
Conservation
There is commitment in the current development plan
to designate Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs)
with a particular focus on suburban residential areas of
the city. To date, five such ACAs have been completed
and are located in Westmoreland Park, Temple Place,
Colliers Avenue, Elmwood Avenue Upper & Lower &
Elmpark Avenue and Ranelagh Avenue. Work to identify
areas where ACA designation is desirable is ongoing.
Possible ACAs for consideration in the forthcoming draft
development plan may include some areas of civic or
industrial heritage importance. The ACA designation
process is beneficial too in that the information collated
contributes to considerations regarding the Record
of Protected Structures (RPS). It is also worthwhile
to review existing policy concerning the protection of
historic street furniture within the wider debate of public
realm provision, management and maintenance.
These measures are particularly relevant in the context of
implementation of the Dublin City Public Realm Strategy
(2012) which aims to achieve a better quality environment
through agreed process and agreed standards whilst
using limited resources.
There are two major concentrations of Georgian
architectural heritage in the city situated in the North
Georgian Core (Parnell Square environs) and the South
Georgian Core (Fitzwilliam Square environs) and both
are the subject of regeneration proposals. The Parnell
Square Cultural Project includes proposals to provide a
variety of public cultural facilities, including a new City
Library, complementing the landmark Hugh Lane Gallery
and the Dublin Writer’s Museum. The South Georgian
Core is in need of a policy approach to stimulate a
revitalisation of this part of the city where residential
can again be a common use. The North Georgian Core
may, however, present a different set of challenges in
terms of the level of residential sub-division of the former
townhouses, a lack of higher end uses and, what some
would consider as a marginal north inner-city location.
However, in both instances it is important to encourage
suitable uses given they are in such central locations.
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Conservation initiatives for individual structures have
been implemented, particularly where these were for
unique uses or exemplified a particular social strata.
For example, the Mansion House has undergone repair
and enhancement and the late Victorian-style Fruit &
Vegetable Market in the north inner city is being renovated
as part of an innovative food market project. The recent
conservation of the City Assembly House that forms
part of one of the most complete surviving groupings
of eighteenth century merchant’s houses in the city, on
South William Street, has also been a success.
Central Government is proposing an initiative for the
refurbishment of historic buildings in city centre areas
through the ‘Living City Initiative’. Under this, homeowners and commercial property owners would be able
to apply for tax relief on the refurbishment of buildings
in designated areas built prior to 1915. Also important
is how contemporary design in historic areas accords
with conservation philosophies and best architectural
practice. Thus how we approach design for sensitive infill sites is a challenge.
The development plan process presents an opportunity to
review and rationalise the Record of Protected Structure
(RPS) which currently includes approximately 9,000
structures. This process will also take into consideration
work done for the National Inventory of Architectural
Heritage (NIAH) as part of the reassessment.
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Archaeology
Archaeological investigative techniques are used for
development sites where items of heritage value may
be present. In recent times these same techniques
have been used to gain further knowledge of historic
graveyards and ascertain if there are heritage sites in
amenity areas such as parks. Such initiatives result from
objectives in the City Heritage Plan. Other objectives in
the City Heritage Plan that have been fulfilled include
a new Dublin City Archaeological Archive, co-ordinated
citywide 1014 millennium celebrations and organised
events relating to the Vikings and Medieval Dublin.
However, there is potential for greater interpretation and
promotion of archaeological heritage on an area basis
to both local communities and visitors. Embracing the
concept of community archaeology, one option would be
to engage in educational and community archaeological
projects, for example a road show on historic graveyards
in the city. There is also an opportunity to develop the
river, canals and maritime waterbodies as a heritage
resource in tandem with recreational amenity. Similarly,
there is potential to link archaeological and heritage
sites with public open space and public realm initiatives,
especially in the city’s medieval core.
Progress has been made in terms of promoting the
heritage of the old city, most notably in terms of the
wayfinding system which plays an important role in linking
areas of cultural significance. For example, a Dublin
Discovery Trail which extends from College Green to
Kilmainham, incorporating the medieval city, represents
a collaborative project between the City Council and
other stakeholders.
Such initiatives are also important during a time
where limited development has meant there are
fewer opportunities for archaeological investigation,
particularly of medieval sites. Archaeological surveys
and investigations can often be initiated on church and
graveyard sites as these are not subject to the same
development pressure as other sites. The curtilage of a
church often provides an important historical resource
and can be an attraction for visitors, which accords with
an emerging interest in graveyards and genealogical
research. Also, such land can be utilised for recreation
and amenity purposes which raise issues of possible
disturbance of archaeological remains. As those historic
sites pose their challenges so do those sites that are the
most ‘recent’ in heritage terms.
Identification and protection of the city’s industrial
heritage remains a priority. A particular challenge is the
safeguarding of industrial buildings or structures which
are not listed for protection or in active use, thus potentially
leading to dereliction and loss of historic fabric. The
National Monuments Acts protects sites and monuments
up to 1700 AD, but not thereafter, when industrialisation
commenced. Therefore, it will be important to record and
evaluate for protection, examples of industrial heritage in
Dublin City.
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Further protection measures for identified heritage sites
that could be considered for completion over the course
of the next development plan includes the implementation
of the City Walls Conservation Plan, St Luke’s Church
and Graveyard (the Coombe) Conservation Plan and
initiating educational and community archaeology
projects.
These projects relate primarily to the
understanding, conserving and renewal of the medieval
city with a focus on conservation plans for key sites.
There is also an emphasis on making archaeology more
widely accessible through initiatives including community
archaeology projects and easy access to archaeological
research data sets.
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Heritage
The Dublin City Heritage Plan, as an integral part of the
development plan, sets out priorities to identify, enhance,
and increase awareness of Dublin City’s heritage vis-àvis the historic built environment. A key challenge will
be balancing the on-going implementation of projects
developed under the previous heritage plan and
delivering on new areas of interest in the next one.
Under the Dublin City Development Plan 2011-2017/
Heritage Plan various projects have been initiated
such as a research project to understand and assess
a potential UNESCO Designation for Dublin’s historic
centre, an Architectural Study & Inventory of 20th
Century Architecture in the City and the preparation of
guidance documents such as Historic Street Surfaces in
Dublin. Conservation Plans in particular are an effective
mechanism in outlining the relevant heritage issues at
hand and prescribing practical conservation solutions.
The City Council will seek the continued implementation
of existing Conservation Plans such as the Henrietta
Street Conservation Plan. Conservation Plans may be
undertaken through the life of the next Development
Plan/Heritage Plan on a strategic basis where there
are competing priorities impacting on sensitive sites.
Moreover, a wider role for heritage in the city is emerging,
with a greater emphasis on the active promotion
of heritage in the community. Following the recent
successes of the 1913 Lockout (2013) centenary events
and the Battle of Clontarf Millennial (2014), the Dublin
City Heritage Plan commits to a programme reflecting on
the events to be marked by the Decade of Centenaries,
particularly centenary commemorations for 1916. Such
projects may include conferences on rebuilding cities
after conflict, and site-specific theatre commissions.
By the provision of information and access, the City
Council will during this period develop and maintain
strong links with other agencies such as Fáilte Ireland
who promote tourism and cultural infrastructure. The
City Council has also developed the Walking Dublin App
which identifies and provides mobile information on sites
of cultural, historic and tourism interest.
An inventory of the former Civic Museum’s collection has
been completed. The next steps need to be carefully
considered but could include a feasibility study to identify
the remit and appropriate location for a new City of Dublin
Museum incorporating the Civic Museum’s collection. To
build on this civic identity, the historic centre of Dublin is
on Ireland’s Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage
Sites. Dublin City Council and the Heritage Council are
currently investigating the management implications of
such a nomination for the city of Dublin. This includes a
research agenda focused on ascertaining those sociocultural characteristics that are unique to Dublin.
The City Council will continue the existing programme of
management and maintenance of public monuments and
sculpture with a focus on activities and events relating
to the 2016 Centenary. Arising from this centenary
and other upcoming commemorative dates will be
proposals for commemorative monuments, memorials
and plaques. The recently produced ’Commemorative
Naming’ document (2012), sets out the City Council’s
criteria regarding commemorative structures, and any
commemorative proposals received by the City Council
will have to satisfy these criteria. In conjunction with
the City Council’s ‘Public Realm Strategy’ (2012), this
document will ensure the continued integrity of the public
realm in architectural and design terms.
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Some Issues for Consideration
 Are there additional streetscapes/areas worthy
of Architectural Conservation Area (ACA)
consideration?
 How can we encourage appropriate uses back
into the North and South Georgian Cores,
particularly residential uses in historic buildings?
 How can we best create linkages between the
built heritage and other cultural forms such as
the city’s social or literary history?
 Should we celebrate and protect outstanding
examples of 20th Century architecture? How
should this be done?
 How can we make archaeological information
more accessible to the community and
professionals?
 What type of archaeology projects would you
like see undertaken?
 How can policies assist in protecting important
elements of our industrial heritage?
 Do we have too many protected structures, given
that all such structures have the same status?
 Has ‘open house’ or ‘culture night’ increased
appreciation of our heritage?
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10.2 - Arts, Culture & Tourism
Introduction
The promotion and enabling of arts, cultural and tourism
activities is central to the role of a city. A vibrant cultural
environment can enhance the city’s international image
and improve the vitality and attractiveness of the city’s
environment. Culture can also help address social
inclusion and regeneration. The City Development Plan,
the Arts Plan and the Culture Strategy are key documents
in promoting arts, culture and tourism in the city.
The Arts
Dublin City has a remarkable artistic heritage and is
home to most of our National Cultural Institutions. The
City Council plays an important role locally, citywide and
nationally to sustain the Arts in all forms. Art forms are
varied and include visual arts, theatre, literature, music,
dance, opera, film, circus and architecture, etc.1 It is
important that the new City Development Plan includes
policies aimed at establishing equal access to quality
arts experience appropriate to age, ability and cultural
tradition. According to the Arts Council of Ireland,
there are ‘some one million citizens, who might be
characterised as the ‘target population’ of Young People,
Children and Education (YPCE) provision’.2 The Dublin
City Arts Strategy 2014-2018 sets out the main aims of
the City Council, which should be reflected in the new
Development Plan. The City Arts Strategy promotes
access to the arts in public spaces in partnership with
other units of the Council, and encourages the Council
to actively use public spaces for the enjoyment of
individuals. It is DCC policy to support artists working
in all art forms and all forms of expression, permanent,
temporary and time-based.
1 Definition of the arts from Arts Act 2003
2 Source www.artscouncil.ie ‘Young People, Children and Education’.
It is also DCC policy to ensure the continued development
of Dublin as a culturally vibrant, creative and diverse
city with a board range of cultural activities provided
throughout the city. Dublin City Council would like to see
a vibrant artistic programme in every area of the City.
Within the city centre, the Cultural Quarter in Temple
Bar has grown into a major destination for tourists. The
activities and functions of Temple Bar Cultural Trust
are now wholly managed by Dublin City Council. DCC
is also developing proposals for a new Cultural Centre
at Parnell Square, with a new site for the City Library,
a new Civic Cultural Centre and joining with the worldrenowned Hugh Lane Gallery. 3
The Dublin City Arts Office provides a wide range of art
facilities and services to the people of Dublin and visitors
to the city. Artists’ studios, exhibition and workshop
spaces are also provided in the Red Stables, St. Anne’s
Park, Raheny. A wide programme of events, including
exhibitions, workshops, open days and performances
are held there.
3 Dublin City Council City Arts Office Draft Arts Plan 2014-2018.
32
A range of national-level arts facilities and also local
facilities are present in Dublin. Some centres focus
on diverse areas such as theatre, dance, photography
and community activities. A vacant spaces initiative has
recently been undertaken to facilitate temporary use
of under-utilised space by artists. The Arts Office has
also engaged in a research project regarding immigrant
artists and their needs in the city. Dublin City Council
will develop a Public Art Programme which will offer
opportunities for artists to engage with the city, making
new work that responds to the context of Dublin as capital
of Ireland, international city, and city of communities and
localities. The Programme intends to create connections
and collaboration between different areas of the city
council’s work and also interconnection between art, city
and the public. 4
The libraries and city galleries provide extensive services
and facilities that are free for public use. A ‘Development
Plan for Dublin City Public Libraries 2012 – 2016’ has
been produced, seeking to maximise opportunity for all
through guided access to ideas, learning, literature and
heritage resources. As mentioned above, it is proposed
to move the city’s main library to Parnell Square from
its current location in the ILAC Centre on Moore Street/
Parnell Street, and this development is part of a wider
initiative to revitalise the area. The annual ‘One City- One
Book’ event helps generate public interest in Dublin’s
literary history, and the International IMPAC Dublin
Literary Award (managed by Dublin City Public Libraries)
is awarded annually.
4 Policies and Strategies for Managing Public Art, Dublin City Council Public Art Advisory Group.
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development plan 2016-22
Culture
It is proposed that Dublin City Council’s policies and
objectives in the new Development Plan must be
strong and ambitious enough to support, facilitate and
encourage investment in quality cultural infrastructure in
the city, allow for the development of a leading cultural
capital where the cultural needs of all citizens are met
and support a city which is capable of attracting talented,
international workers for the city’s growing economy. The
Dublin City Council Culture Strategy 2010-2017 sets out
the vision and themes for Culture in Dublin.
The vision set out is that ‘culture is integral to Dublin
City’s identify and quality of life’, with main themes as
follows:

Lead and support the development of culture and
the arts for the city

Support established and emerging artists

Create opportunities for everyone to participate in
the city’s cultural life

Lead the development of excellent cultural
infrastructure

Recognise that culture is essential to the city’s
economic vitality

Ensure that culture plays a significant role in urban
regeneration and reflects the identity of Dublin’s
neighbourhoods.
The concept of ‘Cultural Quarters’ needs to be examined
in the preparation of the new Development Plan, with
attention given to emerging cultural areas and potential
for clustering of cultural activities, which can generate
new cultural destinations. The new proposals for the
Parnell Square Cultural Quarter, referred to above,
represent one such emerging quarter.
Other Events and Festivals:
Dublin City Council’s Integration Unit supports the
celebration of ethnic diversity in the city through annual
events including Chinese New Year Festival, Africa
Day, and Diwali (Indian ‘festival of lights’). In addition
to this, the annual ‘Culture Night’ celebrates culture by
encouraging public involvement in a diverse range of
cultural events around the city.
‘Open House Dublin’ organised by the Irish Architecture
Foundation, is Ireland’s largest annual architectural event,
inviting everyone to explore and understand the value
of a well-designed built environment. Many buildings
normally off limits to the general public are open for
viewing and events are organised to coincide with visiting
times. A second large-scale event, ‘National Heritage
Week’, aims to build awareness about our heritage, and
the focus is on preservation and promotion of our natural,
built and cultural heritage. There are, of course, other
arts, festivals and culture-based annual events including;
Dublin Theatre Festival, Dublin Film Festival, the Fringe
Festival, TradFest (based on traditional music events),
Phizzfest (Phibsborough Community Arts Festival),
Dublin Festival of History, St. Patrick’s Festival, Pride
Festival, Bloomsday Festival, etc.
Irish language and cultural events are also promoted and
supported by the City Council. Census 2011 identified
that Dublin City was the city/county with the lowest
percentage of Irish speakers (35.2% of the population)
in the country. This may in part reflect the large non-Irish
proportion of the city’s population (18%). In addition to
the language, Irish dance and music are also important
facets of culture to be supported and promoted for the
future.
33
In addition to the above-mentioned events and festivals,
the following are examples of the range of annual events
supported by Dublin City Council. These range from
architectural and heritage-based events to those more
focused on celebrating the city’s vitality diverse ethnicity;
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development plan 2016-22
Tourism
Dublin City Council recognises the importance of tourism
to the business and social life of the city, and actively
works with Fáilte Ireland and other stakeholders in
the Tourism Industry. The Council is a key partner in
the ‘Grow Dublin Tourism Task Force’ which produced
the recent strategy ‘Destination Dublin – A Collective
Strategy for Tourism Growth to 2020’.
Tourism is Ireland’s largest indigenous industry,
contributing almost 4% of GNP and providing employment
for over 200,000 people in every community throughout
the island. In the above report, it is noted that since 2007,
when 4.5 million visitors from overseas brought €1.45
billion into Dublin, the city and region has experienced
a decline in tourist numbers and revenue. Numbers in
2012 were down 18% from the 2007 peak, and revenues
were down 12.6%. Over that period, Dublin has lost
tourist business to cities that are positioned with greater
clarity, stronger impact and more competitive appeal.5
Competitor cities have shown sustained levels of 5-8%
growth to which Dublin must aspire.6 As the national
gateway, Dublin is ideally located to benefit from the
influx of tourists to the country. There is a steady
recovery in the tourism industry in Ireland, and the new
Development Plan should consider measures to improve
opportunities for an increased number of tourism
products and services across the City. Closing gaps in
the provision of reasonably priced, low-cost and hosteltype accommodation is a key component in the delivery
of a competitive range of tourism products.
Dublin’s Docklands are well positioned to benefit from
business tourism, and the City Council will work with
Fáilte Ireland, Dublin Convention Bureau and trade
to ensure that these opportunities are converted to
increased business tourism. The amenity value of the
water bodies of Dublin City is also under-utilised for
tourism. The Liffey Voyage, Sea Safari and Viking Splash
Tours are indicators of future tourist potential. At a larger
scale, cruise tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors
of world travel and Dublin as a destination has increased
significantly in the last decade with record cruise vessels
numbers in 2010. The Dublin Cruise Traffic and Urban
Regeneration Plan aims to attract more cruise ships into
Dublin by improving facilities for cruise ships.
Making cultural destinations within the city more
accessible has been prioritised through initiatives
such as Dublin Bikes, public realm enhancements and
the new way-finding signage. Whilst not exclusively
developed for tourists, these are clearly beneficial. Webbased applications help with accessing information and
apps such as the ‘Dubline’, ‘Walk Dublin’ and ‘Culture
Fox’ help improve access and information on the go –
reducing the need to research destinations in advance.
Some Issues for Consideration
 Does Dublin City adequately promote its rich
cultural heritage to tourists?
 How can the new Development Plan help develop
and support the growth of cultural and creative
industries in the City (e.g. filmmaking, digital media
etc)?
 Are there any arts/cultural facilities that you feel
are lacking in the City? If so, how should they be
provided?
 Are there sufficient libraries across the city to serve
the expanding population and its diversity?
 What planning initiatives can be undertaken to
further advance Irish language and culture within
the city?
 What is the potential future role for ICT including
mobile/web apps in facilitating the development of
diverse arts & culture?
 How can we nurture new cultural initiatives that
support emerging cultural clusters?
 How can local arts be developed further? What
policies could be included in the Development Plan
to ensure equal access to quality arts experience
appropriate to age, ability and cultural tradition?
 What measures could be included in the Plan to
assist public access to the arts, facilitate artists’
development and enrich the cultural experience of
the city?
5 Destination Dublin A Collective Strategy for Tourism Growth to 2020, Grow Dublin Taskforce
(GDT)
6 Destination Dublin A Collective Strategy for Tourism Growth to 2020, Grow Dublin Taskforce
(GDT)
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11 - Community Infrastructure and Social
Inclusion
Introduction
A successful neighbourhood is one that is sustainable. It
provides not just a place in which to live or work, but also
allows ease of access to a range of facilities including
education, recreation and healthcare facilities. In setting
out policies and objectives for Dublin, the City Council is
required to plan for social infrastructure and sustainable
communities.
The Regional Planning Guidelines also require the
Local Authority to examine issues of social inclusion in
preparing a Development Plan, on the basis of the life
cycle approach, i.e. giving consideration to children,
people of work age, older people and people with
disabilities – all groups which can experience social
exclusion.
11.1
Creating Sustainable Neighbourhoods
People
People are the basic necessity for lively engaged
communities, and for sustaining a diverse and wide
range of community facilities. Having sufficient numbers
of people to join local sports teams, support local shops,
keep schools open is a simple yet fundamental idea.
Also important is the need to attract a diverse spectrum
of people into neighbourhoods via varied housing
typologies to help foster diversity and integration. Making
neighbourhoods attractive places where people want to
live is the key.
Timing
Safety
In emerging or expanding neighbourhoods, an important
challenge is to identify the community and social
infrastructure requirements of the growing population,
and where such facilities are best located. Good
planning is required to put in place appropriate phasing
mechanisms to ensure that communities do not become
abandoned or isolated. The use of Local Area Plans,
Environmental Improvement Plans and Regeneration
Plans are important tools in this process. Where largescale planning applications are submitted applicants are
required to submit Social Audits of existing facilities in the
area and how the new scheme will enhance the existing
social and community infrastructure.
Safe environments tend to be those that are well
used, well designed with good lighting and passive
surveillance. Creating opportunities within communities
that maximises opportunities for meeting and greeting
helps to make people feel safer in their environment.
Encouraging more people to walk or cycle rather than
drive is a good example of encouraging ‘street talk’.
Designing public spaces that invite and encourage
people to use the space; that have quality materials,
appropriate planting and signage, are all important. The
City Council aims to ensure that all new proposals design
out opportunities for crime and design in for maximum
accessibility.
Accessibility
11.2
Accessibility within the public realm, to parks, open
spaces, buildings, programmes and services is important
for a community to be sustainable. Policies and objectives
which focus on accessibility cover a broad spectrum of
topics, including access to good quality public transport
to enable people to reach amenities and facilities easily
and in a timely manner; a quality public domain that is
welcoming and easy to move about in for children, older
people and those with disabilities; and also ensuring that
those who may be marginalised feel empowered to use
various spaces and places. Putting in place suitable land
use transportation policies and engaging with people
to optimise the use of our community resources are
important elements for consideration.
Services and facilities considered necessary for the
community include hospitals and healthcare facilities;
centres for social and cultural development; facilities
for the elderly and those with disabilities; places of
worship and meeting halls; recreational facilities and
open spaces; shopping and banking facilities. A good
community caters for its entire population from cradle to
grave, with a full range of social infrastructure in place.
35
Supporting Infrastructure
Healthcare Facilities
The provision of quality healthcare facilities is vital for the
city. Key requirements include the provision of hospitals
and, in particular, the identified need for a new National
Paediatric Hospital, primary care centres, step-down and
long-term facilities, and community care facilities such as
day care centres for older people.
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development plan 2016-22
Childcare
The provision of childcare facilities in suitable locations
and facilities is fundamental. For new development areas
and large schemes, the City Council has regard to the
Dublin City Childcare Committee and their identification
of areas that are under-provided or, indeed, overprovided.
Play Facilities
In keeping with the UN Convention on the Rights of the
Child, and the National Children’s Strategy, the provision
of places and spaces, and opportunities to play is
considered vital. Access is needed to free outdoor play
spaces that are safe, welcoming and well maintained.
Overcoming barriers such as access and insurance need
to be dealt with in a coordinated manner to allow optimum
use of resources and thus help make communities more
sustainable.
Education
Education, from pre-school to 4th level education facilities,
is vital for community wellbeing and for driving Dublin
City as a knowledge-based economy. Ensuring that
schools are provided in tandem with growing populations
is a priority, as is the continued development of the DIT
Grangegorman campus.
Community centres, youth centres, outreach centres and
day-care centres all play a key role in providing hubs for
community activity. In recent years, Dublin City Council
has provided new community centres at Donore Avenue
and Bluebell and has refurbished many existing centres.
The promotion of inclusive neighbourhoods that cater
for all age groups, all abilities, and all ethnic and cultural
groups is a key priority of the City Council. Lack of
engagement within a community may be linked to lack
of money or resources, or it may be due to certain
discriminations, or people not having the confidence to
participate. In the 2011 Census, 17.2% (88,000 persons)
of Dublin City’s population was made up of non-Irish
nationals, an increase of 14,049 persons since 2006.
Providing for and facilitating minority groupings are key
considerations in providing a sustainable city.
The City Council currently provides a range of services
and provisions, including the work of community
development officers, the work of the Social Inclusion
Unit and the Office of Integration, all aimed at maximising
community engagement and involvement. Empowering
communities to become actively involved in the planmaking process, both for the city and at local level,
is significant in ensuring that the needs and desires
of the community are reflected and ultimately helps
communities and places to work better.
Libraries
Community Centres
11.3 Supporting Communities / Social Inclusion
Libraries provide a resource for citizens to enable them
to maximise their potential, to participate in decision
making, to access education and to contribute to the
cultural life of the city. The enhancement of existing
libraries and the development of a new City Library at
Parnell Square is a key objective of Dublin City Council.
A key issue the city faces is maximising the use of
facilities which currently exist but are under-utilised, e.g.
school and parish halls.
36
The City Council recently established a new Public
Participation Network under the Local Government
Reform Act 2014, which will allow individuals and
organisations to play a more formal role in the
development of City Council policies and objectives.
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development plan 2016-22
The newly established Local Community Development
Committee (LCDC) will input into a Local Economic and
Community Plan for the city. More recently, the launch of
the ‘Dublin Age Friendly City Strategy 2014-2019’ aims
to improve the quality of life for those aged over 55.
This strategy has been agreed by an alliance of
organisations led by Dublin City Council and encourages
the direct of involvement of older persons through local
action plans.
Some Issues for Consideration

Does the city currently provide adequate facilities
to cater for residents from cradle to grave, and
to allow people to fully participate in society and
local communities? If not, what are the major
gaps, and how should they be addressed?

What range and scale of community facilities are
required at the local and neighbourhood level,
and what measures are required to render such
facilities economically viable?

What policies are required to ensure that the city
becomes a universally accessible city?

Are educational needs
addressed within the city?

How can the new Development Plan best
facilitate the provision of childcare facilities in the
right locations?

How can the new Development Plan facilitate
the appropriate provision of healthcare and
elderly care facilities in the city?

Should existing community centres including
school and parish halls be made more widely
accessible? How can this be achieved?

Are the needs of the vulnerable and minority
groups adequately met in local communities?
Are new policies and objectives required?
37
being
adequately
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development plan 2016-22
12 - Environmental Assessments
Background
Dublin City Council will carry out a number of
environmental assessments of the draft Dublin City
Development Plan 2016-2022, which include a Strategic
Environmental Assessment (SEA), an Appropriate
Assessment (AA) and also a Flood Risk Assessment
(FRA). These assessments will commence jointly with
the review process of the Development Plan and will be
published alongside the draft City Development Plan.
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a statutory
process, involving the systematic evaluation of the likely
significant environmental effects of implementing the new
Development Plan before a decision has been made to
adopt it. It is being carried out as a parallel process to
the Development Plan Review. The objective of the SEA
process is to provide for a high level of protection of the
environment and to promote sustainable development
by contributing to the integration of environmental
considerations into the preparation of specified plans
and programmes.
The steps involved in the SEA process include:

Screening (determining whether or not SEA
is required)

Scoping (determining the range of
environmental issues to be covered by the
SEA)

The preparation of an Environmental
Report

The carrying out of consultations

The integration of environmental
considerations into the Plan or Programme

The publication of information on the decision
(SEA Statement).
When the Development Plan is published, an
Environmental Report (ER), Appropriate Assessment
and Flood Risk Assessment will also be published.
The Environmental Report sets out the details of the
environmental baseline, trends and environmental
objectives. It will show how the Development Plan has
been assessed against the environmental objectives
during its preparation and seek opinions from interested
parties. Where conflict occurs, it will show what
alternatives were considered and demonstrate informed
decision-making on these issues. Dublin City Council will
invite submissions on the Environmental Report (as well
as the Draft Development Plan) at a later stage. You may
have an opinion on environmental issues and objectives
at this current pre-draft stage.
38
An SEA was previously carried out on the existing
2011-2017 Dublin City Development Plan and that Plan
contains a robust set of policies and objectives in relation
to protection of the environment. The new development
plan provides an opportunity to develop these policies
and objectives further and build on the knowledge
already obtained, in light of emerging new information.
Habitats Directive (HD) and Appropriate Assessment
(AA)
The development plan will be subject to Appropriate
Assessment, as required by the European Habitats
Directive (92/43/EEC). Appropriate assessment is
a focused and detailed impact assessment of the
implications of the plan, alone and in combination with
other plans and projects, on the integrity of Natura 2000
sites in view of the conservation objectives of the sites.
Natura 2000 sites consist of Special Protection Areas
(SPAs) or Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). SPAs
are largely concerned with protecting bird species while
SACs relate to habitats and wildlife.
An example of an SAC would be the South Dublin SAC,
Site Code: 000210, and its qualifying features listed on
Annex i include tidal mudflats and sandflats, and under
Annex ii Petalwort. An example of an SPA would be
Howth Head Coast SPA, Site Code: 004113, and its
qualifying species include Kittiwake.
Whilst the AA process is a separate process to the SEA,
it runs in parallel with the SEA and the outcomes of both
feed into and inform the SEA.
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development plan 2016-22
Flood Risk Assessment (FRA)
A Natura Impact Report outlining the impact of the Plan
on Natura 2000 sites will be available alongside the Draft
Plan, the Strategic Environmental Assessment and the
Flood Risk Assessment.
The EU Floods Directive (FD) 2007/60/EC on the
‘Assessment and Management of Flood Risks’ requires
member states to assess and manage flood risks. The
Office of Public Works (OPW) is the lead agency is
implementing this process. A National Preliminary Flood
Risk Assessment (PFRA) was completed to identify
areas where significant flood risk exists. Areas of further
assessment were identified throughout the country and
were subject to more detailed analysis. These steps are
being carried out as part of the National Catchment Flood
Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Studies,
which must be completed by 2015. These CFRAM
Studies will contain objectives and actions and remedial
measures to be taken for managing floods.
The Department of the Environment, Community and
Local Government (DECLG) & OPW prepared the
‘The Planning System and Flood Risk Management
– Guidelines for Planning Authorities (DECLG &
OPW, 2009) in order to integrate the assessment and
management of flood risk into the planning process. The
Guidelines indicate that Flood Risk Assessment (FRA)
should be integrated into the SEA process.
Planning Authorities are required to introduce flood risk
assessment as an integral and leading element of their
development planning functions under the Planning
Code. The Flood Risk Assessment will be aligned with
the existing Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
process. Scoping of the SEA will normally include flood
risk as an environmental criterion.
39
Whilst the review of the Development plan will be
informed by national planning policy such as the
Guidelines on Flood Risk Management and also regional
planning guidelines, they must take all practicable steps
to ensure the prior identification of any areas at risk of
flooding and flood zones in order to effectively shape the
drafting process.
A Strategic Flood Risk Assessment will be available
alongside the Draft Plan, the Strategic Environmental
Assessment, and the Appropriate Assessment.
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APPENDIX 1
The following objectives must be included in a
development plan:

The zoning of land

The provision of infrastructure including
transport, energy, communication facilities,
water supplies, waste recovery and disposal
facilities

The conservation
environment
and
protection
of

The provision of community services including
schools, crèches and other education and
childcare facilities

Climate change and energy reduction measures

Rights of way to the seashore, mountains, etc.
the

The integration of the planning and sustainable
development with the social, community
and cultural requirements of the area and its
population

The preservation of the character of the
landscape and of architectural conservation
areas

The protection of structures of special
architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic,
cultural, scientific, social or technical interest

The preservation of the character of Architectural
Conservation Areas

The development and renewal of areas in need
of regeneration

The provision of accommodation for Travellers

The preservation, improvement and extension
of recreational amenities

The control of establishments under the E.U.
Major Accidents Directive
Note:
For full details, see Section 10 and First Schedule of the
Planning & Development Act 2000, as amended.
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dublin city
development plan 2016-22
APPENDIX 2
Development Plan Timeline
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dublin city
development plan 2016-22
Send your views on the questions posed in this Issues
Paper or on any Big Picture Issues you think should be
addressed in the new Development Plan.
?
We want to hear what you think
about the city.
Development Plan Team
How has it changed since the last
Development Plan was adopted in
2010?
Planning, Property, Enterprise & Economic
Development Department
What do you think the Big Picture
Issues facing the city up to 2022 are
going to be?
Civic Offices
Block 4, Floor 3
Wood Quay
Dublin 8
or to
[email protected]
Updates on the new Development Plan will be regularly
available at www.dublincitydevelopmentplan.ie
Please check in often and keep letting us know what
you think!
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