Take one minute to examine these photos of inner-city Dublin. Then, with the person next to you, list the evidence you can see of urban decay.
Question Time 1. Explain what is meant by urban decay.
2. Explain why local authorities moved people out of Dublin’s inner city in the 1960s. Do you think this was a good idea? Why?
3. How do you think inner-city areas suffer when their population decreases?
3. Urban Redevelopment and Urban Renewal The solutions to urban decay are urban renewal and redevelopment.
Urban redevelopment is when old, run-down houses and buildings are demolished. The original tenants are moved to new suburbs, and new shops and businesses are built on the valuable inner-city land instead. The redevelopment of the land near Connolly Station to create the IFSC is an example of this.
Urban renewal is when old buildings are restored or replaced by new buildings. Facilities, such as community centres and Astro Parks, are built to encourage existing residents to remain in the area, e.g. the renewal of Dublin Docklands in the 1990s and 2000s. Urban renewal is sometimes called urban regeneration.
A B
The original Ballymun flats – an example of urban redevelopment in the 1960s – were demolished because they had become run down (photo A). Since then, there has been urban renewal in the area (photo B). Why do you think it was decided to renew this area rather than move the residents to a new area?