Once notorious for the squalor of its slums, Dublin can now look forward to having "no bad housing in the city as a whole" within the next few years, according to the city manager, Mr John Fitzgerald.
Speaking yesterday at the launch of progress reports on Dublin Corporation's five integrated area plans (IAPs), he said these initiatives had "succeeded in kick-starting development in areas of Dublin's inner city that had long suffered from neglect and decay".
The programme, particularly in renovating public housing, involved "major surgery, not Elastoplast solutions" to ensure the social and economic regeneration of some of the most disadvantaged areas anywhere in Ireland, Mr Fitzgerald said.
A number of high-profile projects, such as the renovation of Smithfield as a major civic space, had already been completed and other initiatives would commence "very shortly", he told the media. These would involve major housing schemes aimed at social integration.
Mr Jim Keogan, project manager for the HARP (Historic Area Rejuvenation Project) IAP, said an events manager had just been appointed to arrange a series of "compatible events" in Smithfield, including major concerts from next spring. He said 12 events had already been booked for the new civic space and the corporation was also hoping to develop a market there. The traditional monthly Smithfield horse fair had been accommodated, with much improved management.
Ms Mary Taylor, project manager for the Inchicore-Kilmainham IAP, said the first phase of a programme to replace St Michael's Estate - a system built legacy of the early 1970s, had just started. Two of the existing blocks were likely to be converted to private housing.
Mr Paul Maloney, who is co-ordinating the North East Inner City IAP, said one of its objectives was to bring more private housing into an area blighted by social disadvantage. A planned arts and dance centre on Corporation Street would help to change its image.
Mr Michael Stubbs, project manager for the Liberties-Coombe IAP, said he expected an influx of computer software companies into the area following MIT's decision to establish its European Media Laboratory in the Guinness Hop Store, turning it into a "digital village".
Mr Ciaran McNamara, who heads the O'Connell Street IAP team, said he was now confident the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, would sanction plans for a plaza in front of the GPO and the Monument of Light on the former site of Nelson Pillar.
Plans were also being finalised for a renovation of the Garden of Remembrance in Parnell Square, an extension of the Municipal Gallery into the former National Ballroom next door and a pedestrian bridge linking Marlborough Street with Hawkins Street.
Mr McNamara said there had already been some significant improvements in the appearance of buildings on O'Connell Street. New powers to designate it as an "area of special planning control" would help to control fast-food outlets on the street.
