Case Studies   Urban Regeneration in the City of Dublin: Partnership structures and integrated area planning

Examples of urban regeneration projects in Dublin

Digital Hub

This project was chosen because it is a good example of a partnership between the local authority/community/semi-state body. The Digital Hub is particularly good at integrating with the local community. Initiatives such as the Learning Iinitiative, Computers provided in community centres, links with local schools show the Digital Hub’s commitment to the Liberties-Coombe area. The building that we visited was called the Printworks, and it is the first building which will be used to house a number of new enterprise units. The businesses located in the Digital Hub area will be involved in IT, media and associated businesses. Through developing links with the community and local schools the Digital Hub hopes that locals will be involved in seeking employment in these new businesses. www.thedigitalhub.com

Regeneration of Fatima Mansions

This project was chosen because it is a good example of a partnership between the local authority, community groups and residents. The impetus for a plan for the regeneration came from the community, and this formed the background to Dublin City Councils own plans for the regeneration. The community in Fatima was extremely pro-active through the locally organised group, Fatima Groups United. This group commissioned several reports on the area which lead to the publication of a document, Eleven Acres, Ten Steps. This document comprised a brief from then community of Fatima Mansions to the planners, developers and service providers tasked with the regeneration of the housing estate. It set out the community’s vision for its future, and invited the Dublin City Council to enter into a dialogue on how the area ought to be regenerated. In turn, Dublin City Council produced its own regeneration report. Following further consultation and agreement with residents, the independently chaired, Fatima Regeneration Board, was established in 2001. This is an interesting case study since it was the first time that a community had come up with it’s own plan first. www.dublincity.ie

Gloucester Park, Planning for Real

In 2001 Dublin City Council used model planning to consult with the general community in the North East Inner City about four issues: Gloucester Diamond Park, Liberty Park, Roads and traffic, and sports and leisure complex. The following model of consultation was adapted:

• Local children were involved in the process by inviting a local junior school class to make a model of the park using material supplied by Dublin City Council.

• Cards with pictures and works were made to describe possible features for the park that could be chosen and placed by the public. The children in the school had made model seats and trees that could also be used as an alternative to cards.

• A date for public consultation was set and advertised. The consultation lasted four days and was conducted in well known local venues. One day was set aside for consultation with local school children.

• Local people were invited to involve themselves in the organisation of the day including meeting and explaining the process to the public. Architects were also on hand to make clear any limitations there might be on the project.

• Hundreds of people attended the consultations and expressed their preferences which were recorded systematically over the days.

• Follow up consultation was held with those who expressed an interest to explore the feasibility of the various ideas put forward.

• The architect reported back to the group with the completed design.

• Ongoing involvement includes the design of a mosaic by local students and an environmental project which will have a role in planting and maintaining the garden in the park.

Sunflower Recycling Park

This company was set up in an effort to create employment in the north inner city in late 1995. The original idea came from local activists who were attending a community leadership and development course funded by the Dublin Inner City Parternship. The local community network group (Inner City Organisation Network) then included the idea as part of an area action plan, and it was subsequently incorporated into the Dublin Inner City Partnership plan for the inner city.

The project employs 24 longterm unemployed adults on community employment and 3 on the full time jobs initiative. Sunflower recycling also operates an EU funded YOUTHSTART project which is directed at unemployed youth who are early school leavers and at risk. The management team consists of four full-time workers, bringing the total number employed to 42.

The project operates a collection of recyclables from offices, community groups and households in the inner city. Recyclables collected are brought to Buckingham Street Depot where they are sorted, graded and bailed where applicable. The project was chosen because it demonstrates what is achievable when a the City Council partners with local activists, and those activists in turn become agents for change in the neighbourhood.

The impact of urban regeneration    Funding