Imagine Dundrum is delighted to report that its recent webinar generated a very positive public response.

A recording of the webinar can be viewed below:

Excellent  presentations were delivered  by Robin Mandal, former  President of the Royal Irish Institute of Architects, John Dobbin, Architect and Director in Shay Cleary Architects, and Councillor Anne Colgan, Chair of Imagine Dundrum.

Robin outlined the challenges facing communities under the current national planning system, especially when dealing with proposed largescale developments which operate under the Strategic Housing Development (SHD) process set up for applications over 100 units. He emphasised the need for the community voice to be heard, describing its absence as anti-democratic.  He  maintains it will  lead to poor quality developments for current and future generations unless local communities get involved.

John Dobbin,drawing on examples of current practice in London, and traditional urban designs we can all relate to in Rathmines and Phibsboro, demonstrated how one can create high quality neighbourhoods which accommodate high density in a low rise setting, and at a profit. His approach is worthy of detailed consideration by all stakeholders involved, including  developers, local communities, County Councils and national government.

Anne Colgan asked the attendees to pay close attention to whatever plans Hammerson puts to An Bord Planala for Dundrum village. She offered to bring local communities together once these come into the public domain (possibly early in the New Year), while reiterating Imagine Dundrum’s offer to meet with Hammerson. She outlined Imagine Dundrum’s own proposals for Dundrum, ie its  strong expectation of a long awaited and essential investment to achieving the goal of creating ‘a sustainable, modern, thriving Dundrum that effectively blends the Village’s rich past and heritage, its unique character and its present strengths, with its future as a modern urban village.’

Attending were over 250 people,including our three national representatives, Minister Catherine Martin TD, Minister Josepha Madigan TD, Neale Richmond TD, local councillors, and many local community representatives and residents associations. Some sixty questions and observations were put to the panel by the very able chair for the evening, Alan Mee,Associate Professor of Architecture in UCD.  Here is a sample:

How do all of us as citizens demand a say in how the places where we live are designed?

In London major projects are required to undertake meaningful consultation. Could this be done in the Irish planning context?

Based on the projected volume increase in residents, is there a review of infrastructure requirements to support this increase ? Dundrum Main Street/by pass are already  bottlenecks.

Do we know what plans Hammerson have already submitted to An Bord Pleanala?

Eight stories not acceptable, when high density can be achieved with 3 stories.

Has any development on a similar sized site occurred using the building style/density John outlined? Has his building style been discussed with any government department dealing with planning issues and what response has he received?

With huge concentration of housing units there is a need to integrate other functions such as retail, leisure, cultural. It should be low rise high density.

If you have any questions, suggestions  or observations to make, please forward to imaginedundrum2016@gmail.com. We would be delighted to hear from you.