DUBLIN

Geographical Conditions and Environment:

The functional area of the Dublin City region extends into the neighbouring counties and beyond, for which Dublin acts not only as the commercial, retail, cultural and educational capital but also as the major source of employment. The strong attraction draws in large numbers of customers for services; an extensive array of high level functional outlets is sustained, but exerts also negative impacts on smaller centres throughout the region, contributing as well to increasing levels of congestion, environmental pollution, pressure on physical infrastructure and substantial increase in residence prices. To answer the challenges of the rapid growth and economical development in harmony with the sustainability of Dublin as a life centre, the new strategy was created (Dublin - A City of Possibilities 2002 - 2012). Main dimensions of this strategy are recognised as A City of Neighbourhoods, promoting the concept of creating and sustaining self-sufficient neighbourhoods within the city and developing a sense of neighbourhood identity, vibrancy and spirit, seeking to integrate services at a neighbourhood level and develop bottom-up participative structures.