. VISION: HOW TO CREATE A SUCCESSFUL WATERFRONT?

2.
Vision: HOW TO CREATE
A SUCCESSFUL WATERFRONT?
The waterfront and campshires of Dublin Docklands have undergone
a dramatic transformation over the last ten years. The old working
Docklands area has given way to a place with new urban uses and
new aspirations. However, the character of the waterfront that
has emerged is sterile and, as a public amenity, the waterfront is
still under utilised. For the Docklands waterfront to achieve its full
potential a three-step strategy is needed.
A. MAKE CONNECTIONS
B. CREATE DESTINATIONS
C. Animate THE WATER
The Grand Canal in Venice
The Vltava river in Prague
The Rhône in Lyon
The Seine in Paris
A. MAKE CONNECTIONS
Residents and visitors must be able to get to the waterfront easily
and safely. People will be much more inclined to visit and explore
the Docklands if it is both safe and attractive. In both east-west and
north-south directions connections need to be improved.
East-west along the River Liffey, and parallel to it, the streets are
dominated by cars. Here, more attention should be paid to the needs
of pedestrians and cyclists. In a north-south direction, too, there are
infrastructural deficits. The river and the docks should not be a hurdle
but instead should provide many crossing points. An analysis of a
2km section of river, however, shows that there are 12 bridges in the
city centre but just three in Docklands. And while in the city centre
the urban fabric on both sides of the river is connected in a natural
way, this is not true of Docklands.
Investing in a network of streets, squares, campshires and bridges
with a strong orientation towards the river will open up the waterfront
to a greater number of Dubliners and visitors.
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PUBLIC infrastructure
Current infrastructure with missing links
Proposed network of streets, squares, and bridges
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B. CREATE DESTINATIONS
An attractive waterfront has something to offer everyone. But
looking at how Docklands has developed so far, the facilities
on offer simply do not match the scale and importance of this
part of Dublin. The Point Theatre is a successful and popular
entertainment venue and, when completed, the new Grand
Canal Theatre will be a valuable and welcome addition to the
area but apart from the occasional restaurant, bar or shop, the
waterfront and adjacent streets are dominated by office buildings
and housing. There is clearly a need for a greater number and
variety of local services and facilities such as bars, restaurants,
galleries, shops, studios, clubs and sports centres.
New buildings in Docklands should provide for such facilities in
their plans. For existing buildings that offer no street-level public
use, a change of ground-floor use should be considered.
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Regional public attraction
Local public attraction
Public open space
Offices, factories and other
Dublin Docklands current layout
Regional public attraction
Local public attraction
Public open space
Offices, factories and other
Dublin Docklands Master Plan future layout
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C. ANIMATE THE WATER
The use of the river and docks has changed dramatically over the
last few decades. With the departure of large-scale shipping the
water can now be used in a different way.
The city can reclaim the water, turning it into an urban playground.
Apart from designated fairways and moorings the water space can
be rezoned and repurposed for different public and private uses.
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Urban podium
Boutique hotel Water taxi
Marina
Floating
village
Marina
Island bridge
Temporary
pontoons
Water taxi
Floating
swimming
pool
Pontoons
promenade
Temporary
pontoons
Pedestrian
bridge
Temporary
pontoons
Cruise
moorings
Cruise
moorings
Pedestrian
bridge
Submerged
sculpture
garden
Marina
Boutique
hotel
Grand Canal bridge
Possible water activities layout
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