mosaic serpentine seat. There is also a sample of
Irish humour – palm trees, Trachycarpus fortuneii,
to perplex the visitor as to their location. They grow
contentedly in this relatively mild climate.
This high-quality redevelopment became an impor-
tant catalyst for the regeneration of Dublin and set
the agenda for future development. In 1998, six
Integrated Area Plans took redevelopment beyond
physicality to include local community needs.
The redevelopment of public spaces, along with
changes in transport systems, have provided sig-
nificant improvements, both visually and in terms
of access.
Along the River Liffey, access for pedestrians has
been greatly improved on the northern bank by
the construction of a boardwalk, which provides a
separate walking and seating area cantilevered over
the river. Its location on the north bank not only
provides a sunny site, but promotes a united city as
traditionally investment was centred in the southern
half of the city.
The National Development Plan has targets for new
homes which will be exceeded. There is a need
to develop sustainable communities and to this
end housing may be grouped in larger numbers in
multi-storey dwellings (100 units per ha) to reduce
the area of land required for development. A large-
scale residential and community development is
taking place in Ballymun, to the south of the airport,
under the control of the local authority in the form
of Ballymun Regeneration Ltd. The 1960s high-rise
housing is being replaced by three- to four-storey
dwellings, laid out with precise definitions between
public and private space, and a coordinated palette
of materials within a set of landscape guidelines,
determined by the landscape architect. These are
made available to consultants and developers for
the landscape of streets. Green spaces and parks
are included within the development. In other
areas, levies on residential development are fund-
ing new green spaces, for example, the contem-
porary urban park, Father Collins Park^1 in Dublin’s
north side, designed by an Argentinean practice,
Abelleyro and Romero.Two projects in Dublin have been chosen to illus-
trate the development and regeneration of the built
realm in the Republic of Ireland, but such projects
are not unique to the capital; all the major cities are
benefiting from this type of redevelopment.