SUBMISSION TO DUBLIN DOCKLANDS MASTER PLAN 2008 – 2013

23rd September, 2008

The below important points are considered for review for the Dublin Docklands Masterplan. I believe it is essential that greater progress is made in increasing apartment size, integration with the rest of Dublin (particularly adjoining communities such as North Strand, East Wall and North Wall) and provision of social and affordable apartments.

APARTMENT SIZE AND DESIGN

“The majority of the units constructed comprise two-bedroom apartments…… In terms of household size, the 2006 Census identifies the average household size in the Docklands to be two persons per household, which is well below the national and Dublin averages of 2.8 persons and 2.2 persons respectively.” (4 – Land Use)

Changing this is essential to changing the nature of Docklands. I believe the reason for the ‘under-population’ of Docklands is because so few families live there. This is noticeable at the weekend. On a ‘normal’ Saturday or Sunday morning Docklands appears deserted. More families must be attracted into Docklands, who will go to school there, grow up there and ‘live’ there. To do this there must be a decisive change in the kind of accommodation that is available. To make this happen, the plan should provide a clear target for 3 bedroom apartments. My estimate is that c30-40% of all apartments built in the future should be of this size. It is important that they be the right size. The total ground-space of a 3 bedroom apartment should not differ hugely from that of a 3 bedroom house. Otherwise families will not live in them.

INTEGRATION OF DOCKLANDS WITH IT’S NEIGHBOURS

It is just vital that relentless focus takes place on better integration between Docklands and it’s neighbours in East Wall, North Strand and Ballybough. This can be done through:-

  • Ensuring that local employment is generated through the development of Docklands.
  • The delivery of social and affordable housing plans.
  • The provision of additional sporting facilities in Docklands that all can use.

THE MARKETING OF DOCKLANDS

More needs to be done to make Dubliners aware of the facilities and amenities that Docklands has to offer. The completion of the Luas lines in Docklands will offer a great opportunity to do this as it should deepen the integration between Docklands and the rest of Dublin. The location of the new national theatre in Dublin should also help this happen. The Dublin Docklands Authority should multiply their efforts to increase awareness of this new residential and urban centre within Dublin.

SOCIAL AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING

“A total of 842 social and affordable houses have been certified since 1997 and 20% of the 11,000 housing units that will be delivered by 2012 in the Docklands will be allocated for social and affordable housing” (3 – Economic Development Framework & the IFSC)

“According to research carried out by CBRE on behalf of the Authority as part of the preparation of this Plan,some 3,690 residential units were completed in the Docklands since 2002, with approximately 3,200 residential units currently under construction.” (4 – Land Use)

This appears to indicate that approximately 10% of all accommodation in the IFSC has been set aside for social and affordable housing. This must change. It is also crucial that this accommodation be distributed throughout Docklands with no change in the quality of accommodation and design between social/affordable housing and private.

CYCLE LANES

It is important that the future development of Docklands includes measures to provide clear and safe cycle lanes.