Module 4.2: Decision
making in Dublin: College Green
Task 7
1. What do you think of the proposed plan for
Dublin?
Definitely, it is an ambitious plan and fully
appropriate in my opinion. The fact that the plan has reserved considerable
space for pedestrians together with segregated lanes for cyclists not only
gives weight to soft mobility modes but can also improve air quality in the
area.
Do you think it can effectively accommodate all
transport modes?
I know the city as a tourist but not the
transport situation in detail. In any case I find the plan suitable to
accommodate transport modes, even though some bus routes and taxi/car
itineraries are expected to change. Maybe bus reorganisation in the area could
solve this constraint at least in the mid-term.
Would this work in your city?
León is quite small in comparison with Dublin and
we do not have a similar scenario, but allocating more public space to pedestrian
mobility has always worked. As an example the first large pedestrianisation
that took place in the late nineties, which really sparked citizen’s interest. From
that moment similar projects have been well accepted by the population. As I
mentioned before, the city experienced an entire important pedestrianisation in
Calle Ancha (Broad Street), the main
street of the Old Town. In that time, not much public participation occurred
(as a public involvement initiative organised by the City Council). At the
beginning, quite an important number of citizens complained about the project
due to the potential traffic problems, public safety concerns and the economic
impact in the area and surrounding streets. Afterward, road traffic and public
transport (bus) were reorganised and nowadays Calle Ancha is a nice bustling safe commercial street.
2. Have you had similar public participation
processes for major projects in your city? How have they worked out? What do
you think of them?
We have had such processes when doing the SUMP,
some urban projects, and at present since we are developing a ‘Traffic and road
safety local regulation (by-law) specific for pedestrians and cyclists’. Our
experience is good. Public participation processes are essential in decision
making for the successful implementation of projects and plans.