11.3 - Challenges

There are a number of key issues facing the city in terms of its built heritage and archaeology.

• An overarching issue is the ongoing need to balance the often competing demands of a modern city in terms of consolidation and future growth with the need to protect its intrinsic character. There is a need to ensure that Dublin City is a real and vibrant city where people live and work, not merely a tourist destination. Dublin’s citizens will be encouraged to live in the historic core and the challenge will be to provide sensitive and environmentally sustainable restoration of historic properties, suitable for modern living.
• It is acknowledged that the ‘greenest building is one…. that is already built[1]’, and the continued, albeit appropriate, use of an existing building is necessary for its survival. It is recognised that various historic buildings in the city remain underutilised and vacant. Identifying suitable and viable uses for certain heritage buildings, particularly the upper floors, can be difficult. The challenge is to continuously facilitate and sensitively manage the changes required to adapt, reuse, upgrade and protect our rich architectural heritage whilst retaining its authenticity, integrity and special interests.
• Dublin’s built heritage and archaeology is a distinguishing feature in an increasingly homogenised world. It is a unique asset, which forms part of our cultural identity. There is a need to promote a deeper understanding of our built heritage and archaeology as an authentic, unique and finite resource. Increasing public awareness of the cultural value and social and economic significance of the city’s built heritage will be required. The widening appreciation of our heritage, culture and creativity also presents significant potential for collaboration with community, professional and institutional stakeholders across the various cultural spheres.

The direct effects of climate change on heritage may be immediate or cumulative. Of the many potential impacts, those identified as priorities for adaptation planning are flooding, storm damage, coastal erosion, soil movement, changing burial-preservation conditions, pest and mould, and maladaptation. In addition, there will be indirect impacts related to societal responses to climate change in terms of both adaptation (e.g. changes of land use) and mitigation (e.g. renovation or upgrading of historic buildings to reduce energy consumption). The challenge will be to conserve Dublin’s heritage for future generations and to develop sustainable policies and plans for climate change adaptation of built and archaeological heritage.

[1] Carl Elefante, 2007