1.1 - Introduction
The Dublin City Development Plan (2022–2028) sets out an integrated, coherent spatial framework to ensure our city is developed in an inclusive way which improves the quality of life for its citizens, and ensures that it is an attractive place to live, work and visit. The plan guides future growth and development, and provides the overall strategy to achieve proper planning and sustainable development, through a range of policies and objectives.
The new plan has come at a time of unprecedented challenges for the city arising from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, Brexit and climate change. This new development plan creates a platform to facilitate and promote the sustainable, long-term recovery of the city for the benefit of its citizens, the region and the country. It offers an opportunity to respond to these challenges and to build on the success of the significant investment and regeneration seen in the city in recent years.
The city has witnessed significant growth and expansion over the past number of years. There have been considerable achievements including the continued build out of Dublin Docklands as a vibrant new commercial and residential hub. Poolbeg West has been designated as a Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) and the adopted planning scheme will facilitate further significant housing and commercial development. Technological University Dublin has largely relocated to the Grangegorman campus and the new national children’s hospital at St. James’s Healthcare Campus is nearing completion, which will in turn greatly enhance the rejuvenation of the south west of the inner city.
Extensive new neighbourhoods are being created at Pelletstown, Clongriffin-Belmayne, Ballymun and Cherry Orchard with the support of an updated suite of local area plans. (See Chapter 4: Shape and Structure of the City for further information on recent development patterns in the city).
On the public transportation front, the new Luas cross-city line is complete and there are plans for further significant public transport investments including Metro, Bus Connects, Dart + and the Luas extension. An ambitious upgrade of the city’s cycle paths is planned over the next number of years, and works to enhance the city centre public realm are advancing as well as a number of city greening initiatives.
Whilst much has been achieved, there remain areas of the city that remain underdeveloped and in need of regeneration. Significant housing delivery in tandem with physical and social infrastructure is required to meet the growing needs of the city to ensure that Dublin is an attractive city to live in and that it retains its competitiveness as capital city.
The City Council is committed to promoting compact growth and ensuring the continued consolidation of the city, with sustainable patterns of development and the creation of a dynamic and vibrant city core complemented by well-serviced and integrated neighbourhoods.
It is the objective of the Council to ensure the best use of the city’s land to deliver additional housing, to provide integrated transport including enhanced walking and cycling facilities; to the development of community infrastructure and facilities including cultural and sports amenities; and to long term, sustainable economic growth.