Human Processes

Introduction to Dublin as a Core Region

• Dublin is Ireland's economic, administrative, and cultural hub.
• Primate City: Dublin has over twice the population of Cork, Ireland's second-largest city, accounting for 30% of Ireland's population.
• Historically, Dublin developed as a bridging point by the Vikings in the 9th century and remains the centre of trade and governance.

Population Dynamics

Migration Patterns

• Celtic Tiger Era (1990s-2008):
  • Significant influx of migrants seeking jobs in manufacturing and services.
  • These migrants were typically young and skilled, contributing to the region's social and economic vitality.
• Post-2004 EU Expansion:
  • Large-scale migration from Eastern Europe (e.g., Poland, Lithuania).
  • Many migrants lost jobs during the 2008 recession, highlighting economic vulnerability.

Urban Multiculturalism

• Foreign Nationals: Account for 8% of Dublin's population, representing diverse cultures, languages, and religions.
• Salad Bowl vs. Melting Pot:
  • Dublin is a "salad bowl" where migrants retain their cultural identities (e.g., 60% of Ireland's Asian population lives in Dublin).
  • Notable cultural symbols include two mosques serving the Islamic population.

Social and Educational Challenges

• Educational Inequalities:
  • Early school leaving and poor attendance are issues in disadvantaged areas like Ballymun.
  • Third-level education attendance in Dublin is 50.8%, lower than the national average of 55%, but this is improving.
• Regeneration Efforts: Urban renewal in areas like Ballymun aims to improve education and job opportunities.

Urban and Rural Development

Urban Growth and Expansion

• Westward Expansion:
  • Constrained by the Dublin Mountains (south), productive farmland (north), and the Irish Sea (east).
  • Expansion absorbs towns like Lucan and Blanchardstown, turning them into dormitory suburbs.
• Commuter Belt:
  • Growing population in counties Meath, Kildare, Wicklow, and as far as Carlow (90 km away).
  • Improved transport links like motorways and rail services facilitate commuting.

Urban Sprawl and Its Challenges

• Problems:
  • Inner-city degeneration as people move to the suburbs.
  • Increasing pressure on housing, transport, and public services.
• Solutions:
  • Urban rejuvenation projects:
  • Docklands Renewal: Redeveloped into the IFSC and cultural hubs like the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre.
  • Point Village: New apartments aim to repopulate the inner city, some designated as affordable housing.

Planned Developments

• New Towns:
  • Tallaght: Developed to prevent sprawl and attract industries.
  • Adamstown: Planned in 2005 to accommodate 25,000 residents with high-density housing, schools, and transport links.

Decentralisation Efforts

• National Spatial Strategy (NSS):
  • Aims to reduce Dublin's dominance by developing Gateways (e.g., Galway) and Hubs (e.g., Kilkenny).
  • The government attempted to relocate civil services (e.g., Dept. of Agriculture to Castlebar), but this initiative struggled due to resistance from workers.

Language and Religion

Language

• Irish Language:
  • Although English dominates, there is a growing presence of Irish-medium schools in Dublin.
• Multilingualism:
  • Migrants have introduced a variety of languages, reflecting Dublin's cultural diversity.

Religion

• Historical Influence: Dublin has long been a Catholic-majority city, with notable landmarks like Christ Church Cathedral.
• Contemporary Trends:
  • Increasing religious diversity due to immigration.
  • Presence of mosques and other places of worship for non-Christian communities.

Economic Performance and Urban Planning

Economic Core

• Dublin's output per worker is 108% higher than the national average, making it Ireland's economic leader.
• Key industries include:
  • Financial Services: IFSC.
  • Technology: Hub for multinational tech companies like Google and Facebook.
  • Education and Healthcare: Well-developed facilities attract skilled workers.

Urban Planning Challenges

• Rising housing costs push people to relocate to surrounding counties.
• Increased car ownership exacerbates traffic congestion.
• Regeneration of inner-city areas is essential to attract residents back to the city centre.

Key Human Processes in Dublin

Aspect	Details
Population Dynamics	Growing population (1.3 million), migration from rural Ireland and abroad, increasing diversity.
Urban Development	Expansion westward, urban sprawl, dormitory towns, rejuvenation of inner-city areas.
Economic Core	High output, leader in tech, finance, and services.
Cultural Diversity	Multicultural city with varied languages, religions, and cuisines.
Future Challenges	Addressing housing shortages, traffic congestion, and inner-city regeneration.