Public Space Mapping Research

This research was undertaken in Dun Laoghaire in Summer 2009. The objective was to record and map the characteristics of the centre of Dun Laoghaire. This mapping addressed a common dilemma faced by many planners and cultural development agencies, namely that many urban centres manifest civic life by day – people congregating in public spaces for leisure pursuits, various forms of consumption, recreation and so forth – but experience a dramatic decline in footfall and social occupancy of public space after normal office hours. In the first part of this research, certain aspects of the place were mapped including uses and capacity, visual elements, movement and sensory data. The second part of this research deals more specifically with the question of cultural activity, both the real and the potential. This research concludes that opportunities exist for making links – physical, economic, social and cultural – between outdoor, indoor, public, private, business, local government and cultural contributors to the civic and cultural life of Dun Laoghaire. It is a significant fact that the high quality, unique and very specific natural and designed environment of the centre of Dun Laoghaire – that is the sea, views, pier, streescape, public buildings and parks - provide an underutilized base infrastructure for a uniquely memorable public and cultural life at this location.