Drimnagh Integrated Area Plan & Smarter Travel Competition

An extensive local area mapping and community consultation process led to an Integrated Area Plan (IAP) for Drimnagh in 2008. The IAP puts forward a shared vision for how to improve the existing environment, local economy and quality of life in the area. A window of opportunity arose in 2010 to fast-track the implementation of many of the framework plans proposed in the IAP – a Drimnagh Smarter Travel (DST) initiative. MCO worked with Dublin City Council and the community public private collaboration to develop the DST, now shortlisted in the competition, a decision on funding for a 5-year project is awaited.

On behalf of a DCC, Community Network and KWCD Partnership, MCO designed and implemented an extensive community capacity building process to develop an IAP for Drimnagh. The objectives were to create a diverse mixed-use neighbourhood with accessible and high quality amenities, and to develop a framework for commercial, environmental, social and cultural development.

The Drimnagh IAP is a first in creatively and dynamically responding to the challenges and opportunities for suburban areas as set out in the Development Plan Making Sense of the Suburbs, a potential model for other suburban areas. The IAP provides the community with an opportunity to participate in the future of the place in which they live. Additionally it is useful as a management and planning tool for public sector organisations (e.g. schools, HSE, Gardaí) to inform policies and decision making processes for the provision of services in the area and to identify structural deficits and resources needed. The IAP can also encourage suitable business growth for the area, and provides a framework for local businesses to engage with development plans for incoming commercial interest.

Intensive local information sharing open days and workshop sessions were held with the Drimnagh community to elicit a shared vision for improving the existing environment and quality of life. This helped to harness a “sense of place” for Drimnagh and the potential for area transformation through a community public private partnership approach (and not a capital project).

In 2010 an interesting opportunity arose to act as a catalyst for implementing the IAP ideas – MCO worked with Dublin City Council on a collaborative bid for the Drimnagh Smarter Travel competition in 2010, with potential for a 5-year funding stream for this sustainable local living project. Funding for Dublin City Council to implement 3 initial projects was approved by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and Drimnagh Smarter Travel was officially launched in November.

Work on the initiative started in early November and is due to be completed before the end of this year. When completed the initiative will deliver:
- Two new Slí na Sláinte walking routes – a 1.2km route in Lansdowne Valley Park and a 2km route along the Grand Canal
- Better signage and improved public lighting between Our Lady’s Hospital, Crumlin and the Drimnagh Luas stop
- New bicycle parking facilities at key locations, such as Galtymore Road and Our Lady’s Hospital

The DST initiative actively encourages people to think about and change how they travel, promoting ‘local living’. Additionally it encourages public realm improvements and changes around sustainable living, making it easier and safer to get around Drimnagh.

4D Applications

• Concept
• Mapping
• Strategy
• Broker