Sir, - There is general agreement that increased densities, both residential and commercial, based on improved public transport are part of the solution to Dublin's growth, but there is understandable concern that new high-buildings will result in the unplanned alteration of the skyline of what is still a relatively low-rise city, punctuated by a few buildings of civic importance.
Increased densities don't necessarily require building high. It is possible to build up to 65 dwellings to the acre without going beyond five storeys. However, there are I believe, locations where new landmark buildings would actually improve the appearance of the city whether for civic design purposes or associated with new amenities such as parks.
It would not be difficult or time-consuming for Dublin Corporation to begin an objective, three-dimensional analysis of the City and its suburbs to identify where significant high-buildings could improve the skyline and where higher buildings should be prohibited to preserve civic character and well-known views. In fact, the RIAI, in its 1975 publication A City in Crisis, described a building height strategy for Dublin which is still valid.
In the meantime, decisions on proposals such as the 20-storey tower block on George's Quay illustrated in your Property supplement of May 7th, might be deferred until we are confident of their appropriateness within a city-wide context. - Yours, etc., Fergal MacCabe,
Architect and Town Planner, Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2.