Swords Masterplan - Fingal County Council

8.6 Open Space
8.6.1 PUBLIC SPACES/ACTIVITY NODES
● To ensure the provision of high quality public spaces and urban squares/
civic spaces within the development, linking with the Metro Quarter.
● To ensure that the public realm is characterised by a high standard
of design, quality finishes and treatments, including hard and soft
landscaping.
● To provide for a number of ‘landmark’ buildings to give a ‘sense of
place’ and punctuate key ‘places’ within the area.
Barrysparks will accommodate a mix of uses and a range of activities. The
promotion of a longer day is important to ensure greater vibrancy and activity
and to maintain a night time economy as an extension to the daytime economy.
This longer day will be supported by a mix of uses that include offices,
residential, retail, retail services, such as restaurants and bars, and a hotel.
Active ground floor frontages onto the main 24 hour routes and onto the main
public spaces will be supported.
Two main public squares are proposed within the Masterplan plan which will aid in
the legibility and attraction of the area [see map Public Realm Strategy]. The
primary square is called Main Square and is located at the southern edge of the
scheme, with an additional smaller square within the scheme, Barrysparks Place.
Proposed development onto the Metro Plaza public space will be required to support
the urban design parameters set out in section 7.0 to support this key public node.
Main Square
CHARACTER
● Main Square shall be a major 24 hour public space within the Barrysparks
development area, with direct pedestrian, cycle and bus links to the Metro
Quarter. It is intended that this square will be one of the main urban spaces
within Barrysparks. It is a place for gathering, eating and socialising. It will
also provide a location for events such as farmers’ markets, seasonal fairs,
street theatre, concerts etc.
DESIGN
● The location and orientation of Main Square has been carefully considered
to ensure that it will receive sunlight throughout most of the year.
● Main Square measures 38.5m by 69m (measured face to face of buildings).
The buildings around the square may vary in height from 22m to 30m.
● Active ground floor frontages onto this urban space, eg cafes, restaurants,
provision of outdoor seating etc, shall be supported to enliven this space
and make it attractive.
● The careful selection of paving materials, street furniture, lighting and signage
shall contribute to this public space becoming a quality meeting space.
Main Square, Barrysparks
S W O R D S M A S T E R P L A N
9 5
Example of steps adjacent to Upper Street at Main Square