Sir, – Olivia Kelly quotes a senior Dublin City Council executive as being sick of people calling the city filthy and outlines his call for people to take some personal responsibility and stop littering (“Council official ‘sick’ of people saying Dublin is ‘filthy’” (August 3rd). As someone who spends considerable time in the city, I believe these labels reflect a broader issue than litter and household rubbish alone.
When people describe Dublin as “filthy”, they are referring to the overall quality of the public realm rather than simply the presence of rubbish. The city often conveys an impression of neglect, inconsistency and poor maintenance.
Footpaths are frequently uneven and poorly maintained, with an inconsistent patchwork of flagstones, tarmac and temporary repairs that detract from the quality of the streetscape.
Derelict buildings, vacant sites, hoardings and graffiti are permitted to remain for extended periods, creating an atmosphere of neglect.
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There is a noticeable lack of high-quality public spaces where people can comfortably spend time. Clean attractive squares, plazas and green spaces contribute significantly to civic life in many European cities, yet we have relatively few of these in our city centre.
Antisocial behaviour and low-level disorder are commonplace in many inner city areas.
While serious crime may be comparatively low, the visibility of petty nuisance and the limited visible Garda presence give rise to a lack of comfort and confidence.
Public transport remains fragmented, making movement around the city less convenient than it should be for a modern European capital.
Tree planting and urban greening are limited on many streets, leaving many parts of the city feeling harsh and lacking visual appeal.
Many of the principal shopping streets are characterised by poor-quality shopfronts, excessive signage and a proliferation of fast-food outlets and convenience stores, with little evidence of a coherent urban design strategy.
Collectively these issues create an impression of a city that is, for want of a better word, “filthy”.
Dublin is one of Europe’s wealthiest capital cities and yet its public realm falls well below the standard that its economic success should enable. This perception is not simply about litter and household rubbish, it is about the cumulative effect of maintenance, design, enforcement, landscaping, planning and civic pride.
Rather than trying to lay blame on littering and household waste management, I believe Dublin City Council should seek to understand why so many residents and visitors feel that the city does not reflect its potential.
Improving the quality of the public realm would not only enhance civic pride but also strengthen Dublin’s reputation as a capital city. – Yours, etc,
LEWIS KELLY,
Coolmine,
Dublin 15.
