A new report from Dublin Chamber is calling for the capital to become a ’15-minute city’, in which residents can live and access most of their daily needs within a 15-minute walk or cycle.
The business group’s report argues that Dublin planners should embrace the concept of ‘hyper-proximity’, which was been successfully deployed in other cities such as Melbourne, Barcelona and Paris.
Among the key planning measures suggested in the Dublin Chamber report are more safe cycle routes and local public transport, local health facilities and the introduction of more parks and shops.
The Dublin Chamber report makes several recommendations to help redesign Dublin as a ‘walkable city’. The recommendations include:
- The establishment of a pilot programme, similar to those used in Melbourne, to be trialled in one community in each of four Dublin local authorities
- A review to identify parts of Dublin that have a particular shortage of the facilities essential to creating a 15-minute city, particularly greenspace and public transport
- Consideration of partnerships between industry and communities to develop mixed-use spaces
- Pedestrian-first planning to enhance the permeability of public spaces
- Significant capital investment in transport infrastructure, including the delivery of key projects for Dublin such as BusConnects, MetroLink, and Luas and DART expansion
- Accelerating investment in and delivery of the Greater Dublin Area Cycle Network Plan
- A focus on mixed-housing developments, increasing population density and embracing the principle of compact growth and brownfield regeneration.
Aebhric McGibney, director of public and international affairs with Dublin Chamber, said that reduced congestion and pollution, enhanced public spaces, thriving local economies and efficient public transport would all improve Dublin’s international reputation and competitiveness.
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Photo: How Dame Street might look if Dublin Chamber's plans were realised
