Sir, – Frank McDonald and Olivia Kelly are to be congratulated for launching the discussion on how to build a better Dublin (Reinventing Dublin series).
One suggestion is to revitalise the North Inner City Georgian Quarter. Although currently neglected, this quarter is one of Dublin’s greatest assets and has the potential to become one of most interesting and vibrant city quarters in Europe.
The quarter could be transformed as a vibrant Georgian Quarter for working, living and visiting by encouraging refurbishment to provide high quality accommodation, cultural outlets and business space. Squares and parks could be transformed into focal points for Dublin’s residents and to complete the “feel”, certain streets could be re-cobbled. With the correct public transport, planning and refurbishment focused on quality and sustainability, the restored quarter could serve as a model internationally.
Building refurbishment would give employment to construction industry professionals in the short term and in the tourism and hospitality sectors in the medium- to long-term.
In many European cities the preservation of historic areas has reinvigorated city life and Dublin’s North Inner City Georgian Quarter has potential waiting to be tapped. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – The SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) in the Weekend Review (November 10th), while interesting and informative, omits perhaps the overriding issue impacting Dublin’s future. I refer to the threat of widespread urban flooding caused by rising sea levels as global warming melts the polar ice.
Hurricane Sandy shows just how vulnerable a coastal city can be to flooding, and your Monday edition reports that “rising sea waters flood 70 per cent of Venice”. Dublin is not immune, it is not a question of if the city floods, it is a question of when it floods.
I think it would be most helpful if your excellent team of journalists could examine precisely how Dublin will be affected by rising sea levels and what steps should we be taking now “To Make Dublin Better”. As a starter, should the new hospital for children be built in the Wicklow Mountains? – Yours, etc,