2. Vision: HOW TO CREATE A SUCCESSFUL WATERFRONT? The waterfront and campshires of Dublin Docklands have undergone a dramatic transformation over the last ten years. The old working Docklands area has given way to a place with new urban uses and new aspirations. However, the character of the waterfront that has emerged is sterile and, as a public amenity, the waterfront is still under utilised. For the Docklands waterfront to achieve its full potential a three-step strategy is needed. A. MAKE CONNECTIONS B. CREATE DESTINATIONS C. Animate THE WATER The Grand Canal in Venice The Vltava river in Prague The Rhône in Lyon The Seine in Paris A. MAKE CONNECTIONS Residents and visitors must be able to get to the waterfront easily and safely. People will be much more inclined to visit and explore the Docklands if it is both safe and attractive. In both east-west and north-south directions connections need to be improved. East-west along the River Liffey, and parallel to it, the streets are dominated by cars. Here, more attention should be paid to the needs of pedestrians and cyclists. In a north-south direction, too, there are infrastructural deficits. The river and the docks should not be a hurdle but instead should provide many crossing points. An analysis of a 2km section of river, however, shows that there are 12 bridges in the city centre but just three in Docklands. And while in the city centre the urban fabric on both sides of the river is connected in a natural way, this is not true of Docklands. Investing in a network of streets, squares, campshires and bridges with a strong orientation towards the river will open up the waterfront to a greater number of Dubliners and visitors. 10 PUBLIC infrastructure Current infrastructure with missing links Proposed network of streets, squares, and bridges 11 B. CREATE DESTINATIONS An attractive waterfront has something to offer everyone. But looking at how Docklands has developed so far, the facilities on offer simply do not match the scale and importance of this part of Dublin. The Point Theatre is a successful and popular entertainment venue and, when completed, the new Grand Canal Theatre will be a valuable and welcome addition to the area but apart from the occasional restaurant, bar or shop, the waterfront and adjacent streets are dominated by office buildings and housing. There is clearly a need for a greater number and variety of local services and facilities such as bars, restaurants, galleries, shops, studios, clubs and sports centres. New buildings in Docklands should provide for such facilities in their plans. For existing buildings that offer no street-level public use, a change of ground-floor use should be considered. 12 Regional public attraction Local public attraction Public open space Offices, factories and other Dublin Docklands current layout Regional public attraction Local public attraction Public open space Offices, factories and other Dublin Docklands Master Plan future layout 13 C. ANIMATE THE WATER The use of the river and docks has changed dramatically over the last few decades. With the departure of large-scale shipping the water can now be used in a different way. The city can reclaim the water, turning it into an urban playground. Apart from designated fairways and moorings the water space can be rezoned and repurposed for different public and private uses. 14 Urban podium Boutique hotel Water taxi Marina Floating village Marina Island bridge Temporary pontoons Water taxi Floating swimming pool Pontoons promenade Temporary pontoons Pedestrian bridge Temporary pontoons Cruise moorings Cruise moorings Pedestrian bridge Submerged sculpture garden Marina Boutique hotel Grand Canal bridge Possible water activities layout 15