Irelands Ten Worst Roundabouts
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what is important though to realise, and this does take in Fin’s point about ‘experiencing urban environments more’ – is that these ideas about ‘edgedoms’ exist a lot in contemporary urban and architectural literature and thought.
The only problem is, that until now, they have only existed in the ‘up in the sky’ language of architectural elite super-brains and theory oriented practioners. Translate: The kind of guys who will read Rem Koolhaas books and understand them.
But this BBC feature I saw last night, was the first time in which I actually felt I could understand some of what the environmentalists, architects and urbanists were talking about.
The UCD publication called ‘Tracings no.2’ appears to look at the issue a bit too. The Docklands area of Dublin is a perfect place to argue some of these values too.
I mean, the kind of architecture you will find in an edgedom is typically different from that you might find in urban or rural contexts.
I.e. Containers converted into shops and such – the place has it’s own unique character, moods and language. A lot like what they said about Temple Bar in the original competition times.
Many would argue that Smithfield actually ‘lost’ alot of its character with those ‘award-winning’ lamps going up its centre.
That places like Constitution hill should not be given the art treatment’ so much etc.
good candidate for sheep?
http://www.cgarchitect.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=next_topic;f=5;t=000435;go=newer
🙂
What DCU was supposed to look like before the cost accountatnts got at it:
Please enter this first
http://www.cgarchitect.com/cgi-bin/…000435;go=newer
And then enter this link
http://www.cgarchitect.com/forum/filepush.asp?file=hushus_cgarch.jpg
I agree on the existence of edgedoms I know the docklands very well and agree that the gradual westward expansion of Temple bar would also be a manifestation of the theory.
However the Smithfield example of two landowners submitting linked but independent (financially) applications offers a solution to edgedom. I am also a supporter of the concept of the DDDA although I am not sure that the practice has been optimum
You have to link the thread, remote linking of the actual jpg is prohibited at CG Architect.
Save bandwidth bills, people using site as online portfolio etc.
Going back to the roads issue – there was an alternative plan to run a road between the N2 (Derry Road) and N3 (Kells etc) that would have a spur off the other side of Kells to link it to the N3 before reconnecting with the N2 the far side of Ardee. Stretches of the N2 and N3 are only 15 miles apart at some stages and this would have carried the road far away from Tara and its Environs.
Needless to sy the NRA baulked at the idea – why build one road when you can build two.
A bit like the potential Limerick link from Tipperary.
Why build one when you can build three
Limerick-Dublin
Limerick-Cork
Limerick-Waterford (33%)All coming back to our roundabouts, which at least the following will require new flyovers
1. Red Cow
2. Westlink (in addition to a new bridge)
3. Kinsale Rd junction Cork
4. BlanchardstownWe have heard about how great the port tunnel is going to be, but where is all the non port traffic going to go once it reaches East Wall road?
http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/0205/roads.html
Brennan to expand roads programme
(12:13) “The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion of the planning programme for national roads.
Séamus Brennan said investment in 2004 will total €1,223 million, which he said will allow work to start on 17 major new schemes.
Work will also continue on 17 other schemes, 12 of which are due to be completed this year.
The minister also announced that significant progress had been made on plans to open up three vital corridors to the north, south and west.
The M1 to the North is due to be completed in 2006, the other two motorways from Dublin to Cork and Galway are due to be completed at the end of 2007.”
Is he saying that the sections both from Kildare to Glanmire and from Kilcock to Galway are going to be opened motorways in 35 months time?
Fin when did the Loughrea bypass open or is it open yet?
i don’t think they have even started yet! some public meeting regarding c.p.o.’s… that’s the last i heard about it and that was last week/the week before.
but finished 2007!! he is having a laugh?
when’s the next election? apart from l.a. election this year. can he be held to this promise???? ha,ha.
http://www.onbusiness.ie/2004/0205/roads.html
“Minister Brennan said recent developments, including agreement on a multi-annual funding arrangement for infrastructure projects and the use of design and build or fixed price contracts, meant major road projects could now be delivered faster and within budget.”
I notice the Public/Private partnership option has dissapeared, aparently thanks to the reaction the spanish consortium got in the bond markets trying to raise funds on the Enfiled-Kinnegad bypass.
‘Multi-annual funding’ wow that is new look at the Luas how many years is that now?
‘Design and Build’ what are Arups going into the building game?
‘Fixed price contracts’ How did they ever negotiate anything else? (excluding the regular 5%-10% contingency)
To Quote George Bush ‘regime change’
Originally posted by Diaspora
‘Fixed price contracts’ How did they ever negotiate anything else? (excluding the regular 5%-10% contingency)
yea, i never got that…if you give people the scope t rip u off then they will. no bloody wonder everything is over budget and over due if there was no fixed price! :confused:
Todays Irish Times carries the story that the Kinsale Rd Interchange is to start construction this year. Two years after its original opening
Plans for a third north-south motorway are well advanced with news that the N2 is also to be upgraded to motorway status
The M50 is going to require up to €650m to sort out, this figure pre contractor increases.
While Breannan wishes to shovel another €30m into raising the height of the port tunnel to accomodate 3% of trucks that are banned in 13 of the 15 EU states.
When Peter Malone of the NRA was asked to produce a comment on the rational behind the Sligo town centre dual carriageway no comment was made although Frank McDonald got a set of shrugged shoulders and a smile.
It appears our Peter “pushed aside all criticism becuase they[NRA] just want to pour concrete”
Why build one when you can build three?
It is going to take a lot more than a roundabout at Carrickmines to service all the developments either built or planned for the Sandyford area. The following are just two examples of further projects to come on stream of the coming period.
50,000 Square metres on a former factory unit in Sandyford
http://www.stw.ie/projects/project.asp?id=83
The ESB building you were looking for Phil:
http://www.stw.ie/projects/project.asp?id=151
This is in addition to the massive Central Park in Leopardstown and many other developments in Sandyford such as the Atrium development. There is also the proposed Park developments retail warehousing scheme that will ensure weekend gridlock as well.
My predicition is that if the Carrickmines roundabout is built, the Red Cow complete with LUAS will be empty in comparison. It could even become the worlds biggest traffic jam
http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/0212/luas.html
(16:06) The Secretary General of the Department of Transport, Julie O’Neill, has said she expects the changes being planned at the Red Cow roundabout in west Dublin to cost about €37m.
Ms O’Neill made the comments to the Public Accounts Committee.
The changes include flyovers and underpasses that would reduce the amount of traffic crossing the path of the Luas tram.
The controversial junction links the M50 and the Naas Road and has been subject to traffic delays.
Ms O’Neill said the upgrading of the Red Cow roundabout is now at planning stage and could be started by 2005 and completed by 2007.
A decision on who will carry out the upgrading has not been made.”
Quote “could be started by 2005 and completed by 2007.”
Pigs will fly
I was out in deepest Blanchardstown returning via the back roads to Finglas on Monday, the Traffic was backed up solid from the Westlink to close to Finglas. This despite the second bridge.
Someone needs to get their finger out in a hurry because the jams are gettin about a kilometre longer a year.
Plenty of fine ’roundabout’ architecture here:
Just browse your way through the gallerys, no shortage of car-oriented environmental design in the states no doubt about it.
http://www.cyburbia.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=2308&size=big&password=&sort=1&cat=507
What a classic would compliment the red cow perfectly
http://www.cyburbia.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4916&password=&sort=1&size=big&cat=507&page=
I have always liked Joshua House, it was a very smart move and it really shows the difference between the civilised core and wild edge that now categorises Dublin
I read Frank’s piece about open spaces in Dublin last night, the trouble for me, is that to me, someplace like the Canal banks in Dublin are ideal open space amenities, running straight through the heart of the city, and certainly the one I know down in Portobello etc, has slowly but certainly over the past number of years began to be used by people, actually as a linear park. Parts down toward Wilton terrace could do with some help though.
I think in the periphery the same thing – what kinds of open spaces you make as public amenities – certainly the Nutgrove and surroundings idea, doesn’t work nearly as well as parts of canal banks are now doing. But in warmer climates I think, that places like Spain and Italy have an easier job to make open spaces work. I mean, look at this kip – it is almost pleasant, but probably the equivalent of worst oliver bond.
http://www.cyburbia.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=8754&size=big&password=&sort=1&cat=527
Notice the old street car in this one:
http://www.cyburbia.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=8876&password=&sort=1&cat=513&page=4
http://www.cyburbia.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=8912&size=big&password=&sort=1&cat=513
Red Cow roundabout couldn’t never look that pleasant.
http://www.cyburbia.org/gallery/sho…&sort=1&cat=527
Thats Iquique in Northern Chile and its not a bad spot either, do you not think the people look a little different to the spanish? Had a great three days there in 2001.
But back to the point I have always admired the plazas planned by the spanish as the open design and high percentage of paving vs lawns is conducive to circulation of large numbers of people in all weathers.
The second linked image reminds me of say thomas st open and probably chocked with traffic now. I definitely prefer the plaza model of a central park similar to Wolfe Tone St but generally surrounded on four sides by streets.
The roundabouts were just a short term solution which we are now paying dearly for.
At least €37m for red cow, which is only the first,
Finglas
Blanchardstown
Palmerstown
Non obvious spatial amenities are perhaps very obvious, we just do not see them.
I say the Frank Mc in his article has missed some of the best ‘open spaces’ around Dublin – so of the more obvious ones too. I mean, if the Liffery has a few more boardwalks etc, it could become a great public amenity – as it is, the new boardwalks allow one to enjoy it. The campshires are great.
http://www.cgarchitect.com/gallery/image_spotlight.asp?galleryID=15245
That image even reminds me a bit of parts of Dublin castle. If they are invested in and taken proper care of, with decent public lighting at night, elements, or edges like that, changes in level etc, are all important public amenities in ways, think of the spanish steps in rome. Like the way this building is integrated into the ruins.
http://www.cgarchitect.com/gallery/image_spotlight.asp?galleryID=14359
This site is a jem:
Lots can be done out there I think, we need to start seeing properly first though. For instance Booterstown marsh – a space left between various things – could be called an edgedom – dunno, what people think of its treatment as a natural marsh area in the middle of the city. That is, not manacured like elsewhere. Paul refers to this the odd time, about pockets of space in the city, here and there not be touched – kinda private etc, etc, dunno.
But the thing is, we make a big ‘splash’ job of someplace like Smithfield – when parts of the canal down in Wilton Terrace become prostitutes corner at night, ya know. It is like doing this big Helix mother of a cultural centre up in DCU, just because it is a university and doing 500k apartments on Carlisle pier.
You can get away with different kinds of buildings around these edgedoms etc too. You are tied down to the same rules:
http://www.cgarchitect.com/gallery/image_spotlight.asp?galleryID=13958
I think Koolhaas and the boys have tried to work that idea a lot. This looks fine in a strict street context, trabeated architecture, column and beam, but out in Red Cow etc, it just looks way too fusy and preoccupied with itself.
http://www.cgarchitect.com/gallery/image_spotlight.asp?galleryID=13909
I like that Alfa Romeo building alot I must say. This one isn’t bad, for someplace like the Red Cow etc, I think:
http://www.cgarchitect.com/gallery/image_spotlight.asp?galleryID=12956
Not a bad looker, around red cow either:
http://www.cgarchitect.com/gallery/image_spotlight.asp?galleryID=18279
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