North East Inner City IAP
During 1995 the north-west inner city area became a ‘major initiative’ under the EU Operational Programme resulting in the Historic Area Rejuvenation Plan (HARP). In 1996 the Government decided a strategic regeneration plan be developed for the Dublin Docklands area, resulting in a Master Plan and the Dublin Docklands Development Authority Act in 1997. The area between these two initiatives was recognised as being in need of integrated development, so a Rejuvenation Project Plan was prepared by the Corporation in 1993 and a Draft Action Plan in April 1997.
Urban Initatives working in association with Anthony Reddy Associates and Community Technical Aid, were appointed in 1998 to work alongside officers of the City Council to prepare the the North East Inner City Area Plan. The approach adopted by the team has involved working within the Council offices, with the prime aim on drawing on the City Council’s detailed knowledge of the area whilst bringing in the consultant’s experience of similar projects and programmes.
The Dublin City Development Plan 1991 recognizes that there are areas of the Inner City with a local community identity:
“it is the policy of the Planning Authority to suggest and maintain the existing traditional Inner City communities and to seek to create a balanced development of physical infrastructure to serve these communities in housing, places of employment, shopping, community services and open spaces”
Through the course of developing this plan the project team consulted widely both directly and indirectly, calling on the experience and contacts of the Corporation and the Inner City Organization Network (lCON). Some 35 individuals, organizations and groups were consulted in the course of this plan and developing the original base work of the Draft NEIC Plan. This consultation process has involved meetings with community and local representatives to confirm the parameters of the plan and present the draft proposals. This process, led by Community Technical Aid and ICON, has fed back into the Plan preparation with many of the key concerns raised being incorporated in the plan.
The Action Plan for the North East Inner City (NEIC) developed around an explicit vision-
“To remunerate one of Dublin's most deprived areas, building on its unique character and strengths to create an area where people and families would choose to live, work and invest”.
This involved reversing the stagnation experienced in the area over many generations, raising the hopes and expectations of the local people, giving more choice in employment and lifestyle. It was also concerned with an integrated approach to regeneration based on social and physical programmes. This involved the creation of an improved and sustainable environment encouraging wealth creation, encouraging higher achievement and projecting a positive image to the ‘outside world’.
In addition the Plan also sought to address an implicit vision based the area’s strategic location and its potential benefits to the on city as whole, particularly O’Connell Street ant the Docklands area, with this last piece of the jigsaw puzzle completing the picture. In fact the regeneration of the NEIC was seen as being critical to the O’Connell Street Plan.
The Plan, in adopting a holistic approach, focused on three main areas:
- An Urban Design Strategy which builds on a set of key principles to make a new system of civic and community ’‘spines’‘ in the area, which provide the framework for the establishment of new public spaces, mixed use, housing and employment precincts and environmental improvements.
- A Socio-Economic Development Strategy which focused on an inter-agency approach to educating and training, health and welfare, enterprise, arts, culture, recreation and youth activities. This is to be delivered through a One Stop Shop combining a local presence by Dublin City Council with an Integrated Services Initiative.
- An Implementation Strategy which draws together a wide range of community, business and agency groups in a collaborative manner. A partnership model will be developed which will place emphasis on the need for effective links into other agencies arid institutions. This will include a funding strategy aimed at both public and private sector finding sources.
Key catalysts of change were identified as a means of triggering action in the area including :
- The development of tax incentive sites linked to Community Gain.
- The creation of innovative enterprise and arts complex
- The creation of a civic center ‘One Stop Shop’
- Rejuvenation of the housing complexes’ in the area.
- An increase in the number of childcare facilities to assist parents for educational, training and employment opportunities.
- The provision of a new community centre and sports facilities
-
The creation of high quality managed workspace scheme as a flagship building to guide the establishment of a creative enterprises
Objectives of the Plan
The objectives of this plan were:
- To improve housing conditions and provide a wider choice of accommodation.
- To enhance the health and safety of the community.
- To reduce vandalism and crime.
- To improve the image, performance and environmental quality of the area.
- To improve community facilities by building on existing arts, culture and heritage initiatives.
- To stimulate local business development and community enterprise.
- To ensure the co-ordination and integration of local initiatives.
- To encourage private developments that are of benefit to the community, by means of tax incentives.
Achievements to Date
- A park and playground at the Diamond have been refurbished.
- A new Arts and Dance Centre has been built at Liberty Corner.
- Two buildings for childcare have been provided at Buckingham Street and Liberty Corner.
- 800 new apartments have been created.
- A new Civic Centre will be built on Sean McDermott Street
- Numerous new offices have been constructed for companies such as Bank of Ireland, Treasury Holdings, Bord Gais, Irish Independent Newspapers and Saint Vincent de Paul.
- Social housing has been or will be completely refurbished including Killarney Court, Lourdes House, Mountain View Court, Sean Treacy House and Liberty House.
Projects Underway
- A new Sports and Leisure Complex is to be built on Sean MacDermott Street.
- Construction work has started on a new school on Sean McDermott Street.
Posted by Reflecting City Team on Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Planning • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks •Permalink