Dublin Docklands Reinvented

Book excerpt: Over the last twenty years, the redevelopment of the docklands has radically altered the physical fabric and social structure of a large part of Dublin City both north and south of the river. What has happened in the city is not entirely unique and has many international parallels in places like New York, London and Sydney. This book sets out to examine how global urban influences have interacted with local processes to transform a former marginal part of Dublin city into an economically successful and vibrant urban quarter. It offers an up-to-date and detailed account of the changes that have taken place and highlights some of the difficulties encountered by a number of agencies along the way, including the controversy over the redevelopment of Spencer Dock, the problems of contamination at the Grand Canal Dock and the future challenges of regenerating the Poolbeg Peninsula. The book places significant emphasis on the politics of redevelopment and the role of particular individuals in re-shaping this urban district.