TWICE THE SIZE - DIT Update - Dublin Institute of Technology

Executive Summary
Introduction
All areas of Irish life have been deeply transformed over the past 15 years; nonetheless, as
the entire world progresses rapidly, Irish gateway cities and towns face even more profound
changes that will bring radical transformations to their spatial structure and socio-cultural
composition.
The Futures Academy, in conjunction with the School of Spatial Planning, at Dublin Institute
of Technology, and commissioned by the Urban Forum, conducted this study to instigate a
discussion about the long-term future of Irish gateways, explore possible future
alternatives, and additionally, encourage future-oriented collaboration between the
stakeholders in the gateways.
Methodology
In an environment of growing complexity, heightened uncertainty and a quickening pace of
change, the planners and decision-makers face a difficult and complicated task of preparing
for the future. However, as failures of the traditional planning practice become more
apparent, more imaginative and innovative future-oriented approaches are being
increasingly used.
The adoption of futures methods, such as the Prospective Through Scenarios approach used
in this study, and its integration into city planning offers a rigorous, systematic and
comprehensive approach for the exploration of possible future alternatives and the
identification of preferred future options. It can also constitute an effective platform for
collaborative planning.
Context
Places
The contemporary pattern of spatial development, both globally and locally, is
characterised by an uneven distribution of prosperity and well-being on a spatial and social
level. Successful regions usually constitute large metropolitan regions, intermediate
industrial regions or tourist regions.
The prevailing economic model places localities and regions in direct competition with each
other, both globally and nationally, which in turn, forces them to develop competitive
advantages.
In the highly urbanised parts of the world, a new phenomenon of the polycentric mega-city
region is emerging.
The National Development Strategy, by Colin Buchanan and Partners, published in 1968,
recommended the creation of a hierarchy of growth centres into which a key infrastructure
and amenities were to be directed. However, the strategy was rejected by the government
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