12.4 - Strategic Approach

In seeking to shape future planning policy, a balance must be struck between achieving the cultural vision and aims of the National Development Plan in tandem with the targets of the National Planning Framework in terms of climate resilient, sustainable compact growth.

Culture also contributes to the economic growth of the city in a number of key ways. By having a vibrant city with many cultural activities and attractions, Dublin becomes more attractive to residents, tourists and visitors. Cultural investment provides employment and also has many spin off economic benefits to other sectors including food and beverage, retail and the taxi industry. Cultural engagement and investment also allows people to develop their skills to work in the creative industries. This sector, which already has a thriving base in Dublin, has further potential to provide skilled employment in a world where traditional models of working are fast changing.

The cultural infrastructure of the city has significant assets run by the State and the City Council. Alongside this, is the vibrant and vital private sector role in supporting culture and the arts within the city. Dublin has a wide range of privately run cultural assets; from the more traditional facilities such as galleries and museums, to smaller music schools, dance studios, recording spaces to rehearsal spaces for theatre companies. There is also the cultural experience of venues including theatre and music as well as many spaces across the city that host or are managed as arts or cultural spaces for events. All of these facilities form an inherent part of defining the cultural experience of the city and need to be valued and protected; and as the population of the city grows, so must cultural infrastructure.

This chapter seeks to address the planning challenges facing the sector; and recognises that the protection and expansion of all types of cultural assets will always be achieved through both public and private investment, reflecting the diverse and wide ranging sector that it is. For this reason, the Plan aims to provide for a vibrant and sustainable cultural sector and associated cultural infrastructure to meet the needs of the city. It is critical that in catering for future population growth outlined in the NPF that such growth is also in line with the strategic investment priority of the NPF of keeping culture at the heart of communities.