4.15.3 Further Research

Further research is being considered for the following areas :

• Park visitor numbers – to indicate the visitation rates and use of city parks and record the key reasons for visits, the characteristics of visitors and comparison with other key visitor attractions in Dublin. In particular, this research should seek to obtain views from younger, older and foreign nationals/non-Irish origin sections of the population, which were not captured in surveys for this strategy. This research will be used to influence the design and planning of new parks and park upgrading, for example in implementing or upgrading visitor facilities. 
• Economic value of parks – to research the economic contribution of parks to the city as part of the tourism economy of Dublin and in addition to review existing and potential revenue streams generated from parks. This research will be used to influence park funding and investment. 
• Street tree planting techniques – to research the various newer techniques in street tree planting including SuDS and compare to determine best practice for Dublin. This will be used to develop standards for Dublin’s public street tree planting that are proven to be more successful for the longterm survival of trees in urban environments. 
• Biodiversity – to carry out research outlined in the Dublin Bay Biosphere Conservation and Research Strategy 2016-2020. 
• Public attitudes- to undertake research into public attitudes to parks that would seek to obtain views from both users and non-users. This would be used to further understand opinions on park resources and in particular to determine what would make them more attractive to non-users.
• City Green Plan- to undertake an assessment of the total vegetated areas within the Council administrative area by remote sensing techniques. Spatial distribution and possible comparisons with other cities would be assessed. This research should preferably be repeated into the future to determine the trend in the greening of Dublin.