11.1.1 Introduction

The built heritage contributes significantly to the city’s identity, to the collective memory of its communities and to the richness and diversity of its urban fabric.

The street pattern, local architectural features, the form of buildings and spaces, civic buildings within set pieces of urban design, the unique Georgian squares and streets, together with the larger areas of Victorian and Edwardian architecture north and south of the canals, and the industrial buildings of traditional enterprises, all contribute to the city’s character, identity and authenticity, and together form a key social, cultural and economic asset for the development of the city.

The principal means by which Dublin’s historic urban environment is protected, is set out in the Planning and Development Acts 2000 – 2010 (as amended) and comprises principally the Record of Protected Structures (Section 51) and Architectural Conservation Areas (Section 81).