Sir, – The recent Reinventing Dublin series in The Irish Times pointed to the need for a greater level of discussion about the processes that are necessary to shape a better urban future in Dublin. One of the greatest challenges is getting past the dominance of market-oriented mechanisms of urban development and associated rhetoric inherited from the property boom.
However, the continued power of the ideals and language of the boom were made apparent in recent days through Frank McDonald’s stated desire for the removal of the rag trade from the area around South William Street in favour of promoting a “cafe culture” atmosphere (“South William Street shows potential for cafe culture despite rag trade distraction”, Home News, November 27th).
Such rhetoric, if followed up upon, is exactly what serves to remove vibrancy and difference and instead produces a city which panders to the whims of property development.
Making cities vibrant and livable places is not only about promoting coffee shops and outdoor seating. It is about promoting the city as a better and more equal place to live for all of its citizens. This entails taking a critical look at the processes which serve to produce the city and how the city goes on to reinforce and reproduce social norms. That so few of the fundamental issues of the last decades are now being challenged gives a stark warning about the future of Dublin and other urban centres in Ireland. – Yours, etc,