CAP Foundation 4: We are A Social City
Foundation 4: We are A Social City
What does this mean?
Our city is characterised by its medieval core and stunning Georgian neighbourhoods with public squares providing a space for social and economic activities. These spaces continue to thrive and provide people with spots to relax and enjoy a bit of nature in the city. The Grand Canal and Royal Canal that envelop the inner city, were once full of canal boats moving goods to and from the port to the city and to the rest of country. Today, you will still see boats, but you will also see people cycling next to the canals on segregated paths or simply lingering and enjoying a moment.
People define Dublin, they are the story of the city. Climate action is achievable when people come together to take care of the city and their legacy in it.
What actions do we take?
- A Connected Active Travel Network: Moving people through the city to meet friends and family, to go to work or school, or to simply explore must be easy and safe. We will bring together 95% of the population of the City within 400 metres of the active travel network; making it easier for people to walk, cycle, wheel or scoot to their destination or for leisure, day or night.
- Neighbourhoods are the Heart: Dublin is said to be a city of villages and these villages have strong identities. This is a strength. Nurturing our neighbourhoods to ensure that they continue to thrive and support strong social networks is vital in preparing for climate change and preventing adverse impacts on our health and well-being, during and in the aftermath of an extreme event. We will build on our existing initiatives such as quiet zones and sustainable energy communities, pride of place, and tidy towns to increase our social, and economic resilience.
- Our Parks are Playful Places for All Ages: “If you find yourself in an inconspicuous place, forget about time and all your pressing tasks, and simply watch and listen, you will develop a kind of reverence for the games of children, for their inexhaustible ingenuity, for the ways in which the rules they devise are more subtle, less attuned to competition and more geared to enabling everyone to have a chance, than the team games devised for them by adults” (Ward 1979, p.76) Play is not often connected to climate action, but it is important and it is not limited to children and young people.
- A Re-Imagined Public Realm: Public squares and the spaces in between are where life’s stories are born. In a time of climate change our public realm has a lot to do. Not only will public spaces need to bring people together to play, chat, and create, they must be resilient to climate change impacts – providing shade as temperatures rise and water storage when the rainfall is intense or absent. Aligning our plans for a vibrant night time economy, providing public lighting, street furniture, waste segregation, active travel and greening will be a critical part of re-imagining public spaces that define our city.
How will we know we are Social?
Headline Indicator
- 95% of people brought within 400 metres of a segment of the active travel network. (Links to SDG Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons.)
Crosscutting Indicators
- Modal shift that demonstrates measures have been inclusive and network is accessible to all ages and abilities. (Links to SDG Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries. SDG Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities.)
- Improved air quality.
- Vibrant night time economy based on qualitative surveys and night time spend; and healthy streets framework.
- Improved noise levels on streets.