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Dublin:
Economic Growth and Competitiveness in the Functional
Urban Region
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by
Dr. Brendan Williams Lecturer in Urban Economics and
Faculty Research Fellow Faculty of the Built Environment,
Dublin Institute of Technology Bolton St.
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| Conclusions
and Future Directions |
| The
dispersed form of urban development in Dublin is a consequence
of rapid uncoordinated expansion of urban development in a spatially
incoherent manner. Such dispersed urban growth, characterised
by single use and low density development is viewed as a wasteful
use of land and infrastructure resources. An analysis of existing
local and regional governmental structures impacting upon the
region's economic development indicates a need for reorganisation
of such structures based upon an analysis of the Functional
Urban Region of Dublin. This must include an analysis of both
the formal local government structures and the equally important
linkages of local government, industry and community interests
which shape the future of the urban region. The past experience
of horizontal co-operative systems in Ireland has seen a largely
fragmented decision-making process. It is therefore suggested
that there is a need for an integrated and co-ordinated approach.
The recent consultation paper New Institutional Arrangements
for Land Use and Transport in the Greater Dublin Area provides
welcome recognition of the need for key structural changes in
the urban management processes for the Dublin area. Existing
arrangements, involving the sharing of administrative and executive
powers over several layers of central and local government creates
overlapping responsibilities, often characterised by competing
or conflicting interests and an inadequate implementation capacity.
While the document envisages the creation of a strategic level
authority with responsibilities for linking transportation policy
with planning and land-use, the role of economic forces which
drive the urban economy is neglected. The patterns of demand
that transportation and planning policy tries to accommodate
is directly generated by the flow and direction of investment
and development. It is also clear that the needs and demands
of the urban economy and consumers needs to be given full weight
alongside the views and inputs of the key providers of transport
services. This should ensure that decisions on development in
this area are based upon the needs and emerging demands of the
urban region rather that being dominated by the requirements
and wishes of producers and providers of transport services.
It is to be hoped that such policy moves will develop and shift
urban policy realities towards a more sustainable urban form.
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case for an integrated regional approach to the management of
the development of urban areas is well developed and reflected
in new approaches to institutional structures promoted for the
Greater Dublin Area. The reasons for such an approach reflect
the need of development policies to respond to such issues on
the basis of functional urban regions rather than historic administrative
boundaries. The logic of such approaches apply not only to the
public sector input in active urban management but to other
interest groups, business community groups, etc. The implementation
of much needed improvements in the infrastructure of the city
is assisted by an integrated decision-making process supported
by a broadly developed coalition of interest groups. Fragmented
interests, defending narrow sectional interests can equally
provide problems in the progress of the city. |
| European
cities, including Dublin are likely to retain their distinctive
regional identities and this is likely to remain an essential
part of their economic future. The cultural heritage of such
cities remains a vital part of the function of such cities with
an obvious role in maintaining the tourism sector. In addition,
such attributes form a critical part of cities such as Dublin's
ability to attract other business sectors including financial
services. In conclusion, the main focus for our debate on city
futures should be on quality over quantity. Essential improvements
to the urban infrastructure are required to sustain the existing
levels of economic activity. The careful management of European
capital cities such as Dublin provide a difficult challenge
in combining the conservation of historic cores with the achievement
of sustainable development patterns. Appropriate urban management
involves not only new development and expansion but often a
more difficult task of improving the management and efficiency
of the existing urban systems. The creation of distinctive assets
and urban qualities and the development of local alliances can
assist and promote investment and development. Aspects of policy
which should not be neglected are the needs of established local
business as well as newer mobile investment and the essential
role of local economic development in maintaining the urban
social fabric. Replacing policies aimed at constraining Dublin's
economic development with a quality urban management process
to facilitate and achieve sustainable economic development is
desirable from both a regional and wider perspective. Substituting
such policies with an uncoordinated expansionary rush is not
desirable or necessary. More essential is that such expansion
as does occur is of an appropriate quality and includes a return
to mixed use development in a more compact city integrating
transport, land use and economic objectives to achieve sustainable
development aims. |
| Knapp,
W. (2001); 'Competition and Co-operation: Experiences of German
Urban regional Development and Governance', Shaping Dublin's
Future: Economic Competitiveness and Urban Governance, Seminar
Proceedings of the European Union GEMACA II Project held in
Dublin, March 2001; pp. 6-11. |
| Lecomte,
D. (2001); 'Functional Urban Regions in Europe: Underlying Concepts
and Relative Economic Importance', Shaping Dublin's Future:
Economic Competitiveness and Urban Governance, Seminar Proceedings
of the European Union GEMACA II Project held in Dublin, March
2001; pp. 6-11. |
| Williams,
B. and Shiels, P. (2001); 'Peripheral Sprawl and Policy Implications
of Dispersal' in joint Trinity College Dublin /Dublin Institute
of Technology seminar, Trinity College Dublin, May 2001 (Publication
Pending). |
| Williams,
B. and Shiels, P. (2001); 'Shaping Dublin's Future: The effect
of recent trends and patterns on the economic growth of the
Dublin Region', Shaping Dublin's Future: Economic Competitiveness
and Urban Governance, Seminar Proceedings of the European Union
GEMACA II Project held in Dublin, March 2001; pp. 6-11. |
| Williams,
B. (2001); 'Urban Development Policies in the Dublin Region
- Reacting To Rapid Economic Development' RICS Cutting Edge
Conference, Oxford Brookes University, September 2001. |
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