Dublin's Future?: New Visions for Ireland's Capital

Regardless of what happens with the economy in the near future, in the early twenty-first century Dublin will continue to emerge as a modern European city. Many choices exist for how this city will evolve which, once made, will affect the lives of millions of people on this island for many generations.In Ireland, however, there is little consensus or enthusiasm for the creation of a large modern city, despite the fact that this is a prerequisite for Ireland to successfully compete - socially, economically and culturally - in increasingly diverse and competitive international markets.Planning for this new Dublin will require some radically different thinking about where 'Dublin' begins and ends, the way it will work, who will govern it, and how. New theoretical issues will also need to be addressed - equity, for example - as well as more mundane practicalities. For example, what are the options for dealing with congestion? Is massive investment in public and private transportation infrastructure the only answer?Finally, quality of life - will a 'Dublin Region' of over two million people be worth living in?These questions are answered by describing a series of alternative 'Dublins' in the year 2030 - each plausible, viable and internally consistent - but each dramatically different.
'Imagine forward and plan back' is one way to plan a city.