12.1 - Introduction
Culture is a universal and fundamental part of the human experience, and plays a central role in defining us as a society and as a City. Cultural expression takes many forms such as music, dance, visual arts, sculpture, theatre and literature; all when used for purpose of interpretive or cultural expression. As the Capital City, Dublin leads the State in the wealth of culture available to all, from major cultural institutions and globally recognised festivals, to local community spaces and events. As recognised in the government policy document Culture 2025, participation in cultural activities can contribute to social cohesion, reduce isolation and enrich all our lives. Cultural infrastructure is a key social asset that must be planned for in the same way as we do for our water supply, our transport, our parks and our built heritage.
Culture is defined by UNESCO as:
“a set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features of society or a social group, that encompasses, not only art and literature but lifestyles, ways of living together, value systems, traditions and beliefs.”
Taking into consideration the above, for the purposes of this Development Plan, culture infrastructure is defined as:
“the buildings, structures and places/spaces where culture is either:
Experienced: places where culture is experienced, participated in, showcased, exhibited or sold e.g. museums, galleries, theatres, cinemas, libraries, music venues, nightclubs and historical cultural sites.
or
Created: places of creative production where creative work is made by artists, performers, makers or manufacturers e.g. creative workspaces, performing arts rehearsal spaces, music recording studios”.
National and Regional Policy Context
The National Planning Framework at its outset outlines the national strategic outcomes and strategic investment priorities for the State. One of these strategic investment priorities (no. 7) is named Culture, Heritage and Sport; placing investment in culture at the heart of what this national plan seeks to achieve.
The NPF references arts, culture and heritage as one of the key elements supporting quality of life. The NPF and NDP are supported by arts and culture specific national policies that form part of the vision of Ireland 2040, with Culture 2025- A National Cultural Policy Framework which sets the vision, framework and direction for the cultural sector, and Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018 – 2027 which provides a plan to enhance cultural participation.
Culture 2025 sets out three fundamental principles of national policy:
- Recognising the value of culture and creativity to the individual and society;
- Supporting creative practice and cultural participation and
- Cherishing our cultural heritage.
These three principles provide a policy basis for a number of aspects of development plan and also provide direction to the cultural sector.
The Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Eastern, Midland and Dublin Region (RSES) details that Culture as referenced under Strategic Objective 7 of the NPF sets the context for the RSES. The RSES includes “creative places” as a key component of the Strategy and as a Regional Strategic Objective (number 5). The objective of the RSES is to “enhance, integrate and protect our arts, culture and heritage assets to promote creative places and heritage led regeneration”. The RSES highlights the importance of culture as an essential part of place making and in delivering an enhanced quality of life for the residents of the Region. It also recognises the benefit to the economy of successful place making with culture as a key driver. The Strategy specifically identifies Dublin City as a hub for higher order culture and leisure.