4.2 Achievements
The previous development plan built on the established strategy of developing the spatial structure of the city based on the following 4 key elements:
a) Expanding the city centre eastwards to the Docklands and westwards to Heuston.
b) Developing the key district centres as sustainable hubs to anchor the suburbs, for example, Clongriffin– Belmayne, Phibsborough and Naas Road Area.
c) Creating new development areas and regeneration areas, such as Grangegorman, Pelletstown, the Digital Hub and Poolbeg.
d) Consolidating the physical development of the city by tackling brownfield, vacant and underutilised lands, thereby also achieving improvements to the social and economic environments, in addition to the built environment.
Despite the significant contraction of the economy in recent years, considerable progress has and continues to be made on all these fronts. New urban quarters and clusters have emerged in Heuston and the Docklands, thereby expanding the east-west spine of the inner city. Recent developments which further copperfasten this east-west axis include the Criminal Courts of Justice, which sits as a landmark building close to the principal entrance to the Phoenix Park.
In addition to the civic spaces established in recent years, such as Barnardo’s Square, the more recent pedestrianisation of Palace Street, together with public realm improvements in the city centre, such as at Fade Street, and the roll-out of the pedestrian wayfinding scheme across the city centre, have significantly enhanced the urban environment and the attractiveness of the city centre to residents, visitors and investors.
Key also to this strategic approach is the improved delivery of linkages between areas to make a more connected city. The recent provision of the Rosie Hackett Bridge linking Marlborough Street to Hawkins Street builds on the achievements of other recent movement infrastructure such as the Samuel Beckett Bridge.
Dublin city’s urban form is continuing to expand to the city’s boundaries, for example at Belmayne–Clongriffin and Ashtown–Pelletstown. There have been significant achievements in creating new urban neighbourhoods, and it is critical that these communities are well integrated with and connected to the rest of the city.
While success has been achieved in creating a new spatial form and identity in the suburbs, such as Belmayne– Clongriffin and Ashtown–Pelletstown, for which LAPs have been delivered over the course of the last development plan, it is also acknowledged that others have been less successful to date. However, it is anticipated that the completion and implementation of approved LAPs and SDZs, in addition to SDRAs, will drive the delivery of sustainable, dynamic urban centres.
This development plan strategy is to reinforce the KDCs as the main urban centres outside of the city centre.