11.1.2 Achievements
The Record of Protected Structures presently comprises in excess of 8,500 structures. In respect of the process of managing the Record of Protected Structures, during the period from 2011– 2016, there were 51 structures added and 242 structures deleted and on the basis of ongoing survey and monitoring, the Record was clarified on a number of occasions.
There are presently 21 Architectural Conservation Areas in the city. In the period 2012 – 2015, Dublin City Council designated 9 Architectural Conservation Areas: Mountjoy Square, Westmoreland Park, Sandymount, Temple Place, Colliers Avenue, Elmpark Avenue and Elmwood Avenue, Ranelagh Avenue, Crumlin, Belmont Avenue/Mount Eden Road, Phibsborough and Great Western Square.
Dublin is a collection of places and spaces in which people live, work and visit. Heritage, in all its components, contributes to a high quality of life for everyone. Understanding and celebrating the heritage of the city in all its diverse forms, reflecting upon the city’s ever-changing identity, in new and dynamic ways, is key to the Dublin City Heritage Plan.
The Dublin City Heritage Plan has been implemented annually since 2002 in association with the Heritage Council. The plan is concerned with the city’s architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage. Under the plan each year new projects are developed in the areas of heritage research, improving heritage
management and raising awareness amongst a broad audience. The plan places an emphasis on working collaboratively within the City Council and externally with academic institutions, study groups and other local authorities.
In 2012 a detailed review of over 40 architectural and archaeological heritage plan projects undertaken since 2002 was initiated. The projects were supported annually by the Heritage Council. The review was undertaken in advance of an extensive consultation phase for the preparation of the new city heritage plan that was initiated in April 2012. For this, three working groups were established (one each for archaeological heritage, architectural heritage, and cultural heritage) and composed of representatives from relevant professional institutes, study groups, campaigners, civic bodies and academia. The formation of the new heritage plan has been deferred to align with the new Dublin City Development Plan.
It should be noted that a number of pioneering Heritage Plan projects have been undertaken since 2012, all supported by the Heritage Council. These projects include:
- The Dublin City and County Archaeology GIS Project, a four-year project now available on www.heritagemaps.ie.
- 20th Century Architecture Research project, ongoing since 2012. Arising from this research project the first of three books was published in May 2016 .
- Guidance document on the conservation of decorative plasterwork, which will be published in the near future.
- Viking and Medieval Dublin Online, an innovative digital learning tool in conjunction with Dublinia.