1. Explain why there has been a population increase in Dublin. How has this contributed to a population increase in counties surrounding Dublin?
2. Give one reason for a decrease in Sligo’s population despite the presence of two third-level education facilities, and one reason for an increase in the populations of either Meath, Kildare or Wicklow.
3. Do you think that Dublin offers a higher standard of living than Donegal? What advantages and disadvantages might you tie to living in either area?
Key Words
redevelopment Urban renewal New towns
Urban sprawl Urban decay Recession Urban
22.3 The Effects of Urban Change
1 Urban Sprawl
Urban sprawl is the rapid spread of urban developments (such as houses and shopping centres) on undeveloped rural land (greenfield sites) around a city.
Dublin experienced rapid urban sprawl during the ‘Celtic Tiger’ years 1995–2008, when Ireland experienced great economic growth. This was because many people from rural areas and from abroad moved to Dublin in search of work and higher living standards. The resulting population growth led to demands for more suburban housing and services. This in turn led to the outward spread of the city in the form of urban sprawl.
Urban sprawl has affected both Dublin’s inner city and its outer areas.
