Dublin City authorities have established a task force aimed at increasing levels of civic engagement and community ties in neighbourhoods across the city.
The "task force for community wellbeing", headed by former lord mayor Cllr Michael Conaghan, is drawing up ways of strengthening community bonds, supporting community organisations and giving young people a say in the development of their communities.
Following a conference held in May, the task force has identified 10 key aims which will feed into the blueprint for increasing well-being in communities.
It draws on contributions made by Harvard professor Robert Putnam, who attended the conference, and gave an address at yesterday's Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting in Co Cavan.
The principles involve integrating old and new communities, increasing participation of business in the community, giving communities more opportunities to manage themselves, making better use of space and providing more facilities for children.
Peter Finnegan, director of the Dublin City Development Board, which is helping to spearhead the initiative, said a number of imaginative proposals were being drawn up as part of the plan.
One aspect of it is the development of a "city of neighbourhoods", through creating a network of localised city council offices in the heart of communities across the city.
Plans for civic forums which would allow local people and elected representatives or officials to exchange views are also under consideration.
"The aim is to create or retain the administrative and commercial heart of these neighbourhoods. We'd like to see that enhanced with a political heart, through these civic fora," Mr Finnegan said.
It is also examining plans to involve businesses in communities through the concept of "employer-supported volunteering", in which firms would combine financial support with time and skills of staff members, making it easier for them to contribute to the community.
Many initiatives will have a technological edge and will involve the board's portal site for the city, www.dublin.ie
They include a "citizens' audit", a forum on the website where people can make suggestions about improving aspects of the city, such as accessibility to shops and businesses.
It also aims to keep neighbourhoods of the city in touch and aware of developments in their own locality.
Another of the 10 aims which will feed into the blueprint is the integration of old and new communities.
This will involve a special emphasis on the growing number of people in apartments and on fostering a sense of civic responsibility among apartment dwellers.
This may include keeping residents informed of ongoing developments and community facilities, and encouraging the use of the media for local news.
The need to acknowledge the multicultural dimension of communities in Dublin and to celebrate all cultural heritage is also stressed.
