"Dublin infrastructure not able to cope"

[James Shields]

A couple of articles I came across that aren't directly transport related, but certainly have implications for it.

This one was a couple of days ago, but I didn't get a chance to post it at the time:

"Dublin infrastructure not able to cope"

A new report has warned that Dublin's infrastructure will not be
able to cope if the current urban sprawl continues

The report, published today by the European Environmental Agency,
predicts that residential housing will have more than doubled in
the greater Dublin area by 2025

The EEA says this is not merely a problem here but is an
illustration of the problems posed by urban sprawl across Europe

The author of the report, Ronan U'ale, says Dublin's outward
expansion is "unsustainable in terms of resources, services and
quality of life

The report backs suggestions for the development of a polycentric
relationship between Dundalk, Newry and Drogheda

It forecasts that most future growth will be to the north-west of
Dublin, along the line of the Dublin- Belfast corridor

This external information has been sourced from Business World,
a service of Media World Ltd.

And this one along the same lines:

High rises needed to tackle urban sprawl

The Irish Home Builders Association (IHBA) has called for policies
to support landmark and high rise buildings in the Dublin area to
ensure optimum use of land and to address issues such as urban
sprawl

The call came from IHBA Director Hubert Fitzpatrick in response to
a report from the European Environmental Agency on the subject of
urban sprawl in the Greater Dublin Are

"What is needed to address the issues raised in this report about
the problems of urban sprawl is for better use of land within
Dublin, with the construction of landmark buildings, quality high
rise development, higher densities and optimum use of lands in
Dublin.

"Demand for housing in Dublin remains extremely positive as a
result of a number of factors, including strong economic and
population growth. The IHBA sees a need for 25,000 houses or
apartments in Dublin annually. This year 19,000 will be built in
Dublin, however planning permission has been granted for only
12,000 in the last twelve months.

"In order to address this demand for new homes we need to be more
supportive of higher residential density. Failure to do so will
see increased urban sprawl on the edges of our city and the
problems this brings in terms of providing transport and other
services".

"Higher residential density is also about giving people choice. A
falling average household size and an increase in commuting times
outside cities has prompted a resurgence in the popularity of city
living. Ireland has one of the lowest levels of apartment
dwellings in Europe and has a traditionally low rise built
environment that is contrary to the modern principles of
sustainable development, and which acts to frustrate those seeking
to live closer to their places of employment and to avail of the
range of services uniquely offered by city living.

"Increased densities will also make a significant contribution to
both the form and function of our urban areas. The vibrancy of
city life in Ireland should be reflected in a boldness of
residential density and design that creates landmark buildings and
more striking city streetscapes"


more stories

This external information has been sourced from Business World,
a service of Media World Ltd.