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Case Studies  Urban Regeneration in the City of Dublin: Partnership structures and integrated area planning
Integrated Area Planning
While the urban renewal scheme was generally deemed successful, the government sponsored KPMG Consultants Report evaluation concluded that “in those designated areas which have adjacent indigenous inner-city communities, the local communities believe that urban renewal as defined by the incentive schemes, has not addressed issues which are central to the regeneration and sustainable re-development of those areas such as unemployment, the lack of public amenities, education, training and youth development,” (1996: x). This government review thus highlighted the need for an integrated approach to renewal, which was translated into Guidelines for Integrated Area Plan (DoE, 1997).
The challenges of integrated area planning are directly addressed in the Dublin City Development Plan which recognises that there are areas of the Inner City with a local community identity. “It is the policy of the Planning Authority to suggest and maintain the existing traditional Inner City communities and to seek to create a balanced development of physical infrastructure to serve these communities services and open space.” During 1995 the northwest inner city area became a ‘major initiative’ under the EU Operational Programme resulting in the Historical Area Rejuvenation Plan (HARP). In 1996 the Government decided a strategic regeneration plan be developed for the Dublin Docklands area, resulting in a Master Plan and the Dublin Docklands Development Authority Act in 1997. The area between these two initiatives was recognised as being in need of integrated development and a Rejuvenation Project Plan was prepared by the Dublin Corporation in 1993 and a Draft Action Plan in 1997.
Dublin Corporation responded by preparing IAP’s for the following areas, outlined in Plan 1:
- • North East Inner City
- • O’Connell Street
- • Kilmainham/Inchicore
- • Liberties/Coombe and
- • HARP
Evolution of integrated planning for Dublin’s inner-city
Urban Renewal Act (1986) Initiative of Central Government
Study on Urban Renewal schemes (1996) , initiative of Central Government carried out by consultants: KPMG, Murray O'Laoire Associates and Northern Ireland Economic Research
Guidelines for Integrated Area Plan (1997). Issued by Central Government, Department of the Environment.
Urban Renewal Act (1998) Initiative of Central Government
Integrated Area Planning initiatives (1997 to date) initiated by local government, Dublin City Council
Local Government Act 2001 |
The government approved a new urban renewal scheme which became operative on 1st August 1998. The new scheme, which was based on the recommendations set out in the KPMG consultants’ study published in 1996 on the urban renewal schemes provided for a more planned, integrated and focused approach to urban renewal designations.
Relevant local authorities seeking designation were required to prepare Integrated Area Plans (IAPs) for parts of urban areas in most need of physical and socio-economic rejuvenation, and to identify targeted sub-areas or key developments within them for which designation was sought. The need for such designations must be justified by reference to the IAP’s objectives for the area. A starting point in the preparation of the IAP was an analysis of the physical and social needs of the selected area and a vision statement as to how urban renewal could address those needs. The IAPs were required to be submitted to the Department of Environment and Local Government. The IAP areas were chosen because they were areas in need of regeneration, where there was a spatial concentration of physical decay and social problems. Each IAP is tailored to the specific strengths and weaknesses of the target neighbourhoods as the following summaries demonstrate. The HARP Plan was the first plan to commence (in 1997), and has progressed further than the other IAPs because of a substantial investment of EU finance. Other than private investment, the finance for the other IAPs came from Dublin City Council’s own resources. Each of the IAPs has progressed at different stages, depending on finances available, and whatever projects were feasible at the particular time. Generally speaking, the IAP has a project manager, supported by a multi-disciplinary project team . The IAP is overseen by a monitoring committee, chaired by a Dublin City Council member. The Board of the IAP must include 3 people from the community, one from the business community, 3 public representatives, 1 representative from the Trade Unions, and 1 representative representing architecture/conservation groups.
The Liberties-Coombe Integrated Area Plan
Liberties-Coombe has a high unemployment level – 25% and over. 62.1% of households live below the 50% relative income poverty level. Educational levels are low, many young people residing in local authority housing estates do not complete their second level education. There is a lot of site dereliction, particularly along the Cork Street/Coombe Relief route. This route has been in the pipeline for over forty years and has just been completed in 2003. The developments along this route was the main impetus for the initiation of the IAP, as initially the IAP was viewed as a “Roads” project.
Liberties College, Liberties-Coombe
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The Liberties-Coombe IAP was officially launched in 1998. The vision of the Plan is :
“To reinstate the dignity of the Liberties/Coombe as a living working locality fully participating in Dublin’s entry into the next millennium”.
Currently Liberties-Coombe is progressing well – the new Cork Street Relief Route is competed, developments are happening in the Digital Hub, and there is great interest from developers in the area about sites for sale. All of these physical developments are having a knock-on effect on the social, economic and community development of Liberties-Coombe. Consultation is taking place with the community on a number of issues i.e. the new Regeneration strategy for the Cork Street/Coombe Relief Route. |
The North East Inner City Integrated Area Plan
The key elements and underlying principles on which the NEIC Integrated Area Plan was based are as follows:
• An improved and sustainable environment is developed to encourage wealth creation, high achievement and a positive image to the outside world
• Access to permanent jobs is improved through raising education and skill levels and by stimulating local businesses
• That the gaps are bridged between the private and public sectors
• That local issues are targeted and reflected rather than national policies in order to focus opportunities into the area, providing direct benefit
• That a strong case can be made for a ‘One Stop Shop' by the City Council for inter-agency delivery with full co-operation and co-ordination of services.
• Improve housing conditions
• Enhance community health and safety and reduce vandalism and crime
• Improve the image performance and environmental quality of the area
• Improve community facilities, building on arts, cultural and heritage initiatives
• Stimulate local business development and community enterprise
• Ensure co-ordination and integration of initiatives through local participation
• Encourage private development of benefit to the community by means of tax incentives
In addition the Plan also seeks to address an implicit vision based on the area’s strategic location and its potential benefits to the city as whole, particularly O’Connell Street and the Docklands area, with this last piece of the jigsaw puzzle completing the picture. In fact the regeneration of the NEIC is seen as being critical to the O’Connell Street Plan and a window of opportunity exists to realise this and build on the successful initiatives to counter disadvantage in the area.
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The Kilmainham-Inchicore Integrated Area Plan
The Kilmainham-Inchicore Integrated Area Plan (IAP) is based on the action plan for the area which was published in July 1997, following extensive consultations. The IAP was deemed necessary for two reasons:
• to allow for partnership
- • to allow designation for tax incentives to take place in those areas that are in particular need
The primary objective of the non statutory Action plan is to protect and enhance the character of the area with its rich historic associations, delivered through the continued partnership of Dublin City Council with private enterprise, central government, area partnerships and local interest groups. The key elements and underlying principles on which the action plan are based are as follows:
• The development of the heritage potential and associated tourism and employment
• Regeneration of derelict areas whilst respecting existing urban fabric.
• Protection and enhancement of the quality of the area's environment
• The development of the Camac Valley and royal hospital grounds as part of a green link concept
• The revitalisation of Inchicore as a district shopping centre
• The conservation of the build and architectural heritage of the area
• The improvement of public transport, traffic management and provision for cyclists and pedestrians
• The protection and encouragement of employment generating land uses.
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New bridge at Goldenbridge Cemetery
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IAP’s as non statutory framework plans provide a coherent framework within which other strategies have evolved. On the city edge of Kilmainham / Inchicore the Heuston Station Environs Regeneration Strategy opens up the western gateway for the city and presents the opportunity for a new high density mixed use urban development on a footprint similar to Temple Bar which can have positive impacts on Inchicore / Kilmainham creating new residential /commercial opportunities. Defining a new character area through exploiting the cultural cachet of institutions such as IMMA, KIlmainham Jail and National Museum would be an important dimension in new urban context.
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Urban Renewal  Area based partnerships
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