Over 80 per cent of public support pedestrianisation of College Green
Dublin City Council are feeling confident to move forward with their planned pedestrianisation of College Green as there is “clear backing” from the public.
The Grow College Green project aims to reimagine the city centre at an estimated cost of €80 million. The publication of its Pre-Planning Design Consultation Report shows strong support for the project with 81.2 per cent of respondents supporting the proposals.
The plan, which involves rerouting 17 bus services that have 900 buses traveling each way through the Dame Street area every week day, aims to turn College Green into a pedestrianised plaza. The report is based on feedback from a four-week design consultation, which received over 1,800 submissions from local businesses, residents and disability organisations.
Dublin City Council said this shows there is “clear backing for a safer, greener and more accessible city centre”. Feedback shows the public’s desire for “prioritising pedestrians, providing cycling access, reducing vehicular traffic and delivering a high quality civic space”.
Accessibility, public safety, long-term maintenance and connectivity were also key aspects to the consultation. The council has said they will use these insights to refine their final design ahead of submitting a planning application later this summer. Through continued stakeholder engagement they wish to ensure “sustainable, inclusive and welcoming space for all”.
Lord Mayor Councillor Ray McAdam previously described Grow College Green design plans as an exciting step for Dublin which celebrates its history and highlights the capital as an evolving capital for those living and working in the city today. “This project will reimagine one of our most iconic spaces as a destination for everyone, somewhere you can walk through easily, meet friends, sit in the sunshine, enjoy the buzz of the city, or simply take a breath in the middle of a busy day,” he said.
“Crucially, the updated design reflects real engagement, thousands of submissions and face to face conversations, and I welcome the clear commitment to making College Green inclusive and accessible, with the input of Disabled Persons Organisations helping to shape what welcome and usable really mean in practice.
“Working with the National Transport Authority, Dublin City Council is setting out a vision for a high-quality public realm that can accommodate everyday activity and major cultural events, while staying safe, legible and welcoming from morning to night. I encourage Dubliners, commuters, businesses and visitors to engage with the consultation on Engage.ie, because the best city-making happens when people help shape the places they use and love.”
Delivered in partnership with the National Transport Authority (NTA), the design supports the creation of a high-quality public realm, capable of accommodating everyday activity, cultural events and social interaction, while also providing moments of calm within the pace of daily city life. At its core, the design is built around what people have said they want from the heart of their city: a world-class space that is enjoyable to spend time in, easy to move through, and stays vibrant and welcoming from morning to night.
Chief Executive of Dublin City Council Richard Shakespeare said it “represents a significant step forward in reimagining one of Dublin’s most historic and important public spaces.” From the outset, our ambition has been to create a city centre that works better for everyone, a place that is safer, greener, and more accessible, a space that feels good to spend time in,” he said.
“Informed by users of the city, this project will transform how people experience the heart of the city. It will deliver wider, clearer and more legible routes for moving through the area, linking the north and south of the city centre along the civic spine; greener, more tranquil spaces to spend time; and a setting that supports everything from everyday activity to cultural events and major civic moments. By opening up views to our landmark buildings and weaving in the textures and stories of the past, the design will restore a real sense of importance to this historic location.”
The aim of the project is for College Green to feel different depending on the rhythm of the day. It should be peaceful and inviting at quieter moments, while becoming colourful and energetic when hosting performances, cultural activity or major events.
Sustainability and climate resilience form the foundation of the design, with more trees, shade, planting, safe cycle routes and sustainable materials supporting Dublin’s climate goals and creating a public realm that is vibrant now and resilient into the future. Greener edges, climate resilient planting, comfortable seating and nature-based drainage solutions will all help create a healthier, more resilient city centre.
This content is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme