16.2.1.1 Respecting and Enhancing Character and Context

Respecting and Enhancing Character and Context

The city’s townscape is characterised by streets, buildings and spaces which have evolved over centuries, with established human scale and high quality of materials, craftsmanship and detail generally. The City Council will seek to ensure that the design of new development respects and enhances these and other elements that contribute positively to the cityscape and urban realm, the settings of protected structures, areas of special interest and important views and that such design incorporates highquality detail, materials and craftsmanship. Design must also recognise the diversity of the city environment and respond to the distinctiveness of Dublin as a capital city, a diverse residential community and a centre of business and commerce.

In assessing new development, consideration will be given to how the design has responded to the existing context and its relationship to the established pattern, form(s), density and scale of surrounding townscape, taking account of existing rhythms, proportion, symmetries, solid to void relationships, degree of uniformity and the composition of elevations, roofs and building lines. The design should be carried through to the detail, through use of attractive and durable materials and high standards of craftsmanship, and the integration of public art, where appropriate. Details of walls, gates, street furniture, paving and planting will also be considered. The suitability of the proposed design to its intended landuse and the wider land-use character of the area will also be considered, along with its relationship with and contribution to the public realm.

In the city centre, key district centres and neighbourhood centres, an appropriate mix of uses comprising retail, residential, entertainment, recreational, cultural, community and/or employment-generating uses will normally be required in medium- and large-scale development. Particular emphasis should be given to new and complementary uses and facilities that expand and improve the existing range of uses and facilities in these locations.

Dublin is distinguished by the River Liffey, canal-side frontages and many quality open spaces. New development should protect and enhance these features and other natural features of each site, including trees and any landscape setting. Context and orientation will also influence many other aspects of the design, including how to best improve a new structure’s environmental performance.

The layouts of buildings and spaces must be designed to ensure that areas are permeable and legible. Main routes should be distinguished by exploiting vistas, key buildings and landmarks with the activities and functions of the places made visible, thus bringing a sense of liveliness to spaces. Landmark features can be used to give treatment to main entrances to a development, complement open spaces and assist in place-making and identity.

To achieve the quality of design expected, developers will be expected to employ experienced design teams, which may include qualified urban planners, architects, urban conservationists, landscape architects, urban designers, transport planners and road engineers. Conservation specialists will be needed where protected flora and fauna, archaeological sites and monuments, protected structures or conservation areas are involved, and arboriculturists where existing trees and major shrubs need to be retained and maintenance plans for planted areas have to be prepared.