Residential Urban Renewal Schemes, Dublin 1986–1994

Abstract

The inauguration of tax-driven urban renewal schemes in designated areas of Dublin's inner city in the period June 1986–July 1994 led to a remarkable surge in apartment building. Areas which had seen practically no private residential construction this century have within a few years become home to large numbers of mostly young, single, professional people and students. This study examines the context within which this development took place, the policy instruments which were used, the liming of development, and the distribution, scale and character of developments. It also examines the role of the various agents of change, most notably Dublin Corporation, and the principal developers and estate agents. The paper seeks to critically assess the significance of these tax-driven urban renewal schemes in terms of the built fabric, morphology and social make-up of the inner city. The area of Francis Street/Patrick Street is used as a case study.

Keywords:

• Urban renewal
• Designated Areas
• apartments
• Dublin