Emma Curley
Architecture
Urban design
Facilitation

Dublin Docklands Master Plan 2008

The ec team as part of Murray Ó’Laoire Architects Urban Design and Planning Unit acted as the Lead Consultants and Urban Designers for the preparation of the Dublin Docklands Area Master Plan 2008. Emma Curley’s individual role was as design team leader and co-ordinator of overall inputs into the Master Plan. The Master Plan is updated every five years and is the statutory framework for articulating the Dublin Docklands Development Authority’s policy as defined by the Dublin Docklands Development Act and is based on the development of policies.

The Dublin Docklands development was initiated by the preparation of the first Dublin Docklands Master Plan in 1997, prepared by MÓLA. Since then the Docklands have been transformed from a partly derelict harbour front area to a thriving new community at the edge of Dublin City Centre. Since the 2003 Master Plan, the physical economic and social transformation of the Docklands has continued, extending the city of Dublin eastwards and attracting major new business and thousands of new residents and visitors to the area, with significant achievements gained across all the strategic priorities underpining the Docklands project.

The five strategic priorities set out for the Dublin Docklands Master Plan 2008 are: Accelerating Physical Rollout of development; Achieving genuine Architectural legacy; Fulfilling the Potential of the Docklands; Realising Quality of life and Creating a Sense of Place. These priorities are supported by the main topic for the plan which is sustainability, implemented within aspects such as ‘the environment’, ‘the economy’ and the ‘society’, to become a part of the policies outlined for the new document.

The development of the plan was based on extensive public consultation with the community, the Community Liaison Committee, stakeholders and public bodies. The yearly Dublin Docklands Social Regeneration Conference, running over a two day duration in Killarney, formed the platform for discussions between the Dublin Docklands Authority, the community and the Master Plan Team and the feedback was incorporated into the recommendations for the Master Plan. The draft Docklands Master Plan 2008 was placed on public display from June to September. Following consultation, it was amended and modified.

The Master Plan 2008 was adopted on the 27th November 2008.