Programmes

Buildings at Risk

High Rise Dublin

Dublin city and its hinterland have experienced an extraordinary period of change over the last 15 years with formerly derelict city centre districts now functioning as vibrant international centres and formerly provincial towns transformed into commuter belt suburbs.

These changes have introduced new planning pressures to increase the density and height of new buildings within the city. These pressures have in turn introduced new threats to the character and integrity of architecturally sensitive districts in Dublin.

The Irish Georgian Society fully supports the principle of increased densities and higher buildings but considers that any development proposals must respect the sensitive architectural character of key areas and vistas within the Georgian core.

In this context, the Society is campaigning against the provisions of a new draft strategy being developed by Dublin City Council for high rise development. This strategy identifies possible locations for clusters of taller buildings. However, in identifying suitable sites primarily through their proximity to transport nodes, inadequate provisions are being made for their impact on areas of architectural interest.

To address this, the Society has promoted a review of locations for taller buildings identified in the draft Strategy and considers that provisions should be made to exclude high rise development that would impinge upon buildings and areas of significant architectural interest.