Learning from mistakes is probably the best way of making progress. That is clearly one of the prime considerations in the impressive document issued last week by the Riverrun consortium a multi-disciplinary team of Irish professionals formed to prepare a draft master-plan for Dublin's extensive area of redundant docklands, stretching from Butt Bridge to the Poolbeg peninsula.
There is nothing new about redeveloping dockland areas which have been rendered redundant by the movement of working ports further downriver. That task was first undertaken in Boston and Baltimore many years ago and, more recently, in Rotterdam and London. Some of these schemes have been remarkably successful; London, unfortunately, fell victim to Thatcherism: developers were able to build whatever they liked - wherever they liked and there was a lack of coherent vision.
Dublin has already experienced some docklands renewal with the development of the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at the Custom House Docks. This has been an unqualified success in terms of the level of activity it has generated, as well as its hefty returns to the Exchequer. But its success has also served to highlight the deprivation alongside the IFSC in the north inner city.
The legislation which established the new Dublin Docklands Development Authority places a creditable emphasis on securing the sustainable social and economic regeneration of the 1,300 acres of land which falls under its control. The key question, as posed by Riverrun in its 250-page report, is: how can the potential of the area be harnessed in a way which will include those who have been marginalised by the forces of change?
The report proposes a series of measures designed to address this issue, notably the establishment of a Saol Scoil, or college for life-long learning. It does so in language that is refreshing for a semi-official document. Repeatedly, for example, the word `beautiful' is used in relation to the environment which the authors seek to create, including its architecture, parklands, waterways and other civic amenity projects.
It is surprising therefore, that the Docklands Development Authority chose not to be represented at the ceremony to mark the publication of the document. The authority confined itself to issuing a statement confirming that it had received Riverrun's final report and saying that it would provide material for inclusion in the preparation of the draft master plan.
It is of the utmost importance that the clarity of vision evident in the Riverrun report is not diluted by political or bureaucratic considerations. Redeveloping the redundant docklands represents a considerable challenge not merely for the new authority but also for Dublin. Those charged with the task of shaping the city must be mindful that the development of the docklands, which continues the eastern drift of the city, does not leave north city areas such as Smithfield languishing in the doldrums.