Area plans to boost inner city rejuvenation

Dublin Corporation has developed a number of integrated area plans which, taken together, could vastly improve not just the appearance but the quality of life in the inner city. Some plans, such as the one for the upgrading of O'Connell Street, have been widely publicised, but other less well-known plans have been developed for the Coombe/ Liberties, the North-East Inner City, and Kilmainham/Inchicore. The integrated area plans are designed to promote the social, economic and physical development of areas in the city in need of renewal. They are similar to the hugely successful Historic Area Rejuvenation Project (HARP), which covers an area of 110 hectares, running from O'Connell Street to Collins Barracks. The studies cover a wide range of issues from community and education to transportation and urban design. In producing the plans, the corporation consulted the local community and other public bodies. The Coombe/Liberties integrated area plan covers a large section of the south-west inner city from the Liffey quays in the north to the Grand Canal in the south and from Patrick Street and Clanbrassil Street in the east to St James's Hospital and Rialto in the west. The aim of the plan is to "reinstate the dignity of the Liberties/Coombe as a living, working locality fully participating in Dublin's entry into the next millennium". A number of "target areas" were identified, including Thomas Street/James's Street, Cork Street/The Coombe and Marrowbone Lane. While the plan is implemented by Dublin Corporation as the lead authority, it acknowledges its potential as a co-ordinator and encourages other public bodies, the community and the private sector to focus on these target areas.

Key sites are identified in the target areas for possible tax incentives designation. They are also the subject of a community levy for development and new residential schemes will be expected to provide a percentage of affordable housing. An enhanced "Living over the Shop" package applies to the main streets in the area such as Cork Street, Meath Street, Francis Street and Thomas Street. The integrated area plan for Dublin's North-East Inner City covers an area of the city which has "suffered from stagnation over the past two or three generations", according to Dublin Corporation. The mission statement describes the aim of the plan to "rejuvenate 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". There are two aspects to the plan. First, an integrated area plan which will meet the requirements of the Department of the Environment for local authorities "seeking designation for parts of urban areas in most need of physical and socio-economic rejuvenation". Second, there is a housing action plan to address social housing problems and guide Dublin Corporation's approach to the regeneration of the area, allowing a longer term approach beyond the three-year period over which Integrated Area Plans would operate. The main element put forward in the plan is an urban design strategy which would lead to "the establishment of new public spaces, mixed use, housing and employment precincts and environmental improvements", according to the corporation. A socio-economic development strategy focusing on an inter-agency approach to education and training, health and welfare, enterprise development, arts, culture and heritage is also included. The planned changes include the replacement of five corporation flat complexes with 370 new housing units. New parks, play spaces, traffic-calming and tree planting are all envisaged, along with community buildings.

The Kilmainham and Inchicore Integrated Area Plan seeks to bring about the economic regeneration while protecting and enhancing the built environment and green space. The plan also stresses the historic importance of the area. To aid the regeneration, finely tuned tax incentives can be deployed with a bias towards owner/occupier allowances.