4.5.1 The Inner City and Docklands at the Heart of the Region

Dublin, as the capital city, is at the heart of the city region. The inner city performs the function of a capital city core, extending through the inner and outer suburbs to regional centres, such as Swords, Tallaght and Sandyford, through the proposed innovation corridors described in the core strategy.

With regard to the expansion of the city centre, there has been a remarkable turnaround from the mid-1980s when there was extensive dereliction and vacancy in the inner city, including the quays.

The strong economy in the years leading up to and following the millennium, together with the integrated area plans, strategic land-use zoning policies and the delivery of the Luas system, has pushed investment through the inner city.

With regard to urban form generally, the inclusion of streets in large retail and mixed-use schemes is also a welcome enhancement of the desired urban form for the city.