High density calls for top quality design

[Celfi]

In his Irish Times article (http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/proper ... /prop2.htm), Frank McDonald suggests that the proposed planning guidelines should be reinforced by ‘teach-ins’ to help put Fergal MacCabe’s message across. Another idea would be for a group to develop a model, based upon these guidelines, that could be used both for education, financial analysis, and perhaps even implemented.

The goals of the this model would include:
* Show that higher housing densities can provide an attractive living environment
* Significant cost benefit is possible, e.g., through multiple occupancy, reduced car usage
* Break the de-facto ‘Essex model’ of housing development, prevalent in Ireland
* Provide a show-case for individual architect’s work
* In addition, address energy & transportation imperatives, e.g., District Heating

Such a project would be a real monument for the new millennium.

Roy Phillips
sothach@lycosmail.com

[MG]

This is becoming more important in my opinion as the traffic crisis deepens in Dublin. While on my way to work this morning (7.15 am there are now traffic jams). This city is fast approaching grid lock but I think higher density living in the city centre and the encouragement of cycling and the removal of one person / one car commuting is needed.

[Celfi]

Your right, Dublin traffic is a nightmare. Obviously, the provision of reliable and comfortable public transport will help to mitigate the problem, and better provision for cyclists is a must.

Another, complimentary way to attack the problem is to reduce the need to travel. If you look at trends in the UK and US, you see single-use zoning is on the increase. That
is, separate areas are set aside for living, offices, shops, entertainment, Cineplexes, etc., making a car indispensable.

Things haven't got this bad in Ireland yet, although traffic around shopping centres like Cornell's Court and Stillorgan is very heavy.

Ideally, an effective urban environment will reduce the travel imperative, by placing amenities near to the consumer, rather than making the consumer come to them (which, after all, is for whose benefit?).

What I was suggesting, and I think Archeire is the best platform for this, is to construct a plan that takes all these factors, and others, into consideration. This should show the public and authorities what could be done. Too many times I have heard negative reactions to the call for
higher housing densities, possible due to badly executed projects in the past.

- Roy

[Paul Clerkin]

The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland and the Irish Planning Institute publish joint resolutions on Residential Densities.

<A HREF="http://www.riai.ie/pressrel/19nov98.htm">RIAI PRESS RELEASE</A>