CAP Foundation 2: We are A Resource-Full City
Foundation 2: We are A Resource-Full City
What does this mean?
In recognition of our city’s resources – nature, people, culture, parks, and history – we are conscious of the value of these resources and use them wisely and to their full potential. Nothing goes to waste in Dublin. To do this we prioritise nature by increasing green cover and giving our rivers space, looking at what we have and identifying new opportunities like converting derelict buildings into enterprise centres or artist’s spaces.
Dubliners can explore nature within a 30-minute walk, cycle, or journey by public transport. Dublin’s 52 Kms of coastline are part of the Dublin Bay Biosphere where people can find beaches to swim at in the summer (or winter) and most importantly the Bull Island Nature Reserve. The Dublin Bay Biosphere is also home to social enterprises that use nature in a respectful way to increase our social, environmental and economic resilience.
In the west of the city is Europe’s largest urban park. At 707 hectares, the Phoenix Park is the lungs of the city, and home to a large population of deer and over 300 different species of flora. Then to the south are the Dublin Mountains, where during World War I sphagnum moss was collected to be used as bandages. On a walk in the mountains people can connect with Ireland’s prehistoric history through megalithic tombs dotted through the valleys and peaks.
What actions do we take?
- A Nature Full City: Nature provides us with resources to live and thrive. Delivering on our parks and greening strategies will increase the green cover of the city and improve air quality, water quality, and health and well-being. Prioritising green infrastructure that connects existing parks will not only improve the look and atmosphere of our streets making your commute more enjoyable, but will also provide pollinators, birds, and other animals with food and places to live. Providing the public with the opportunity to learn about biodiversity is essential to insuring that the nature based solutions we implement thrive. The Dublin Bay UNESCO Biosphere Discovery Centre and the Liffey Vale Biodiversity Centre, will provide people with the opportunity to learn about our natural heritage and how we can all take steps to conserve our environment.
- Restoring the City’s Rivers: Growing around the River Liffey and its tributaries, residents of the city flourished, harvesting vegetables in the hinterlands, trading livestock at marts in the city, and bringing spices in from the port. Our city’s rivers and canals have defined Dublin. Their restoration plays a vital role in the city’s future. In our development plan we have committed to de-culverting and giving our vital rivers space. Measures will also see our rivers provide people with places for recreation and connection with nature. Our restoration plans for the River Santry demonstrate what is possible, and we will re-imagine how we celebrate the River Liffey.
- Re-Use of Buildings: We know that the lowest carbon building is one that is already built. Re-using existing buildings provides an opportunity to build on existing programmes, for example adaptive re-use which is converting vacant commercial buildings into housing. This also aligns with the EU Performance of Buildings Directive. We will also use vacant buildings to support enterprises by identifying buildings suitable for incubation hubs and community spaces.
- Ecosystem of Social and Circular SMEs: We continue to nurture a healthy ecosystem of social and circular small and medium enterprises by providing supports to entrepreneurs through initiatives like MODOS, Micro for Green, and SoCircular. Through our partnership with Belfast City Council we are developing physical and regulatory infrastructure essential to support SMEs to innovate and create a Connected Circular Economy on the Island of Ireland.
How will we know we are resource-full?
Headline Indicator
- Implementation of DCC's Greening Strategies that will support an increase in green cover across the city.
Crosscutting Indicators
- Improved air quality and water quality and biodiversity (Links to SDG Target 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality.)
- Reduction in waste produced across all streams and sectors (Links to SDG Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities.)
- Improved biodiversity in city rivers evidenced by relevant counts (Links to SDG Target 15.9: By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts. SDG 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans.)