The Liberties, Dublin |
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Distinctively Dublin The Liberties area is facing major change. Over the next decade improvements to Dublin’s public transport infrastructure are planned, including the Interconnector and LUAS extension, which will significantly increase the connectivity of the area. Within the same timeframe a number of large brownfield sites will become available for redevelopment, all of which will significantly influence and re-shape this western segment of the inner city. Metropolitan Workshop with John Thompson & Partners were commissioned by Dublin City Council in August 2007 to prepare a Development Framework Plan (DFP) for the Liberties area, which would provide an overarching urban design strategy and set out key objectives for stimulating the regeneration process . Following an extensive community consultation programme the decision was taken to significantly extend the study boundary and to upgrade the DFP into a Local Area Plan (LAP) giving the document a statutory status within the city’s planning legislation. The final study area was increased to include the substantial landholdings of the Guinness Brewery and Newmarket comprising a total LAP area of 135ha and projects a new built development quantum of circa 700.000m ² . The core aim of the LAP is to find a place for the Liberties in the city identity of the 21 st Century. A place that is as much about discovering existing characteristics and strengths, as building a new identity. Building on the existing characteristics, the LAP considers the diverse architectural, historical and land use patterns within the area and identifies development sites for residential, workplace, cultural, leisure and education opportunities, which could act as catalysts for revitalizing the local economy. Supporting these uses is an urban structure that builds on the existing street hierarchy and improves permeability, provides clear connections and identifies key places and open spaces. Guidance on density and height is provided at local level and responds to the city wide draft strategy ‘Maximising the City’s Potential’. Currently the Draft LAP is on display at the Dublin Civic offices and is open to public observations. It is envisaged to adopt the LAP in the spring of 2009. |
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Dublin City Council |
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