Urban problems

1. Urban problems

2. Introduction • Urban sprawl • Traffic congestion • Urban decay • Rural to urban migration • Growth of favelas/shanty towns • Air pollution and waste disposal

3. Urban problems and solutions in developed world • Urban sprawl: • Rapid spread of housing from cities into the surrounding countryside • Problem in all urban centres in Ireland esp. Dublin and Cork • 2006 Dublin was cited as one of the worst cases of urban planning by the European Environmental Agency

4. Causes of Urban Sprawl • Increased migration to cities • Economic growth linked with increase in car ownership • Cities attract people looking for work and accommodation • Services are not provided by the rapidly growing population • 2000-2002 the population of Lucan increased by 244% • The urban area increased to accomadate the overspill from the city into the commuter zone

5. Consequences for urban sprawl • Rezoned farmland: rezoned for residential, commercial and industrial use. • Sprawling concrete jungles. • Small villages grow to become large towns. Eg. Douglas, Cork. Tallaght and Swords in Dublin

6. Consequences for urban sprawl b) Increased traffic congestion: suburban not well served by public transport reliance on car ownership encouraged • Dublin bus carried 128 million passengers in 2010 • Development of industrial retail parks at the edge of cities encourage car use • Huge areas of land used for car parks and congestion happens at the entrances to these places

7. Consequences for urban sprawl c) Pressure on services: • Growing suburbs increase the demand for services such as waste disposal, sewerage etc • Pressure put on local authorities to improve infrastructure of roads, sewerage and education services

8. Consequences for urban sprawl d) Development of monotonous suburban areas: • Housing estates of identical housing and layout contained in these areas • Can lead to congestion at road junctions

9. Consequences of urban sprawl in rural areas • Loss of valuable agricultural land: Difficult for farmers to compete with land developers for neighbouring land b) Loss of wildlife habitats: The building of Kildare Bypass lead to a decrease in water levels (site of special scientific interest) c) Loss of ancient monuments and historic landscape: M50 motorway destroying the remains of Carrikmines Castle

10. Consequences of urban sprawl in rural areas d) Growth of dormitory towns: • Many towns at the edge of cities residents commute to large cities for work • Due to cheaper housing • Have few services • No sense of community

11. Solutions to urban sprawl Using land area more efficiently and discourages rural to urban migration Schemes to use urban lands more effectively • Aerial photography • Developing derelict sites in the centre of cities • Reducing rural to urban migration

12. Traffic congestion: causes of… • Many cities built in medieval times, streets not wide enough to carry modern containers lorries, trucks and daily commuters • Inadequate public transport results in a reliance on cars many cities unable to cope with our car dependency • 2010 Ireland had 420 cars per 1000 people • Increased car ownership lead to severe congestion in urban areas

13. Traffic congestion: causes of… • Economic growth has lead to more HGV (heavy good vehicles) on the road • Carry imports and exports across country • Commuting to work in primary cause of traffic congestion • Commuting rates in Ireland amongst the highest in Europe

14. Effects of traffic congestion • Social, economic and environmental problems • Noise at rush can cause stress for residents on busy streets • Business may lose money on increased fuel costs, drivers wages and vehicle servicing due to increased travel time

15. Effects of traffic congestion • Increased traffic=higher risk of accident esp. close to schools • Health effects include less time to spend on physical activity • Air pollution is higher in congested areas increasing the risk of lung disease to drivers and local residents

16. Reducing congestion • Traffic restrictions: • A ban on HGV driving through Dublin city centre at certain times was implemented in 2007 • Introduced barrier free tolling on the M50 to prevent back log at the toll bridges • The M50 as widened to allow more traffic

17. Reducing congestion Traffic restrictions: • In Singapore government allows a 3% growth in vehicle population • Monthly the vehicle quota is published for new vehicles allowed to be bought • Bidding is then used to see who has the right to own a vehicle

18. Reducing congestion 2) Traffic management methods • One way streets • Car parks • Bus/cycle lanes • Roundabouts • Traffic lights • Yellow box • Clamping and parking restrictions • Park and ride schemes • Pedestrian streets • Ring rounds and bypass • Upgrading of national roads and motorways • Flyovers

19. Reducing congestion 3) Car parking facilities: • Car parking facilities need to be found within reasonable reach of the city centre • Effective car parking on and off street is essential to traffic management

20. Reducing congestion 4) Public transport: • Many Irish cities have park and ride facilities to encourage people to leave there cars at the edge of cities • Bus lanes reduces journey times for bus users encouraging people to us buses • The Luas and the Dart reduce congestions in Dublin • Transport 21 Project improves intercity train transport into urban areas beyond Dublin

21. Integrated traffic management in Cork city • Urban area has grown drastically over the decades • Cars are the main mode of transport to get to work with only 25% of people cycling or walking • 7% in the city use public transport • 3% in metropolitan Cork use PT • 1% in ring towns and rural areas

22. Integrated traffic management in Cork city • Cork Area Strategic Plan (CASP) aims to reduce traffic congestion • Central to CASP is the implementation of an integrated transport system based on the completion of: • Essential road links • Development of a suburban rail network • Provision of high quality bus network supported by park and ride facilities • Improved cycle and pedestrian networks

23. Integrated traffic management in Cork city • Priority of GREEN ROUTES (high quailty bus network) ensure movement of people not vehicles • Green Route system also includes: • Improved footpaths • Protection of pedestrians from traffic • Space for cycle lanes • Improved crossing facilities for pedestrians • Bus and cyclist priority at traffic signals www.corkcity.ie/ourservices/roads/infradtructural_projects.shtml

24. Dublin City Traffic Congestion • 38% of all cars and 30% of goods vehicle registered in Dublin • Economic Growth led to increased traffic congestion • Many roads converge in Dublin city centre • M50, M1, N1, N2, N3, N4, N7, N11

26. Public Transport • Improved in Recent years • LUAS – 54 stations carrying 28m passengers a year • Transport 21 • Dublin Port Tunnel – connected port to M50 bypassing Dublin city centre • M50 upgraded – Red Cow roundabout now a new interchange reducing congestion • 2006 100 extra buses, 2007 another 200 and quality bus corridors

30. Dublin bike project • Mid 1990s city council began installing cycle lanes and tracks • Use of bicycle transport increased by 6% in Dublin with 120km of on road cycle track • 2009 Dublin city council opened a self service bike rental system (dublinbikes.ie) • Self service rental system with 42 stations and 550 bikes • Most stations accommodate up to 30 bikes

31. Dublin bike project • One of the most successful bike schemes in Europe • One year after the scheme recorded it 1 millionth rental • People access the bikes by using a subscription smartcard and credit card payment • Currently 40,000 subscribers and there are plans to add 287 new bike stands

32. Urban decay/ absence of community • Urban decay means inner city buildings are in need of demolition/repair • Old buildings have inadequate sanitation, poor heating etc • People are re-housed from inner city areas • Many homes are left boarded up waiting for redevelopment and become squats • Vandalism and crime rise, become ‘no go’ areas

38. Urban decay/ absence of community • A Sustainable community is one that has a mix of houses, business, religious, educational and recreational land uses and has a stable or growing population • Redevelopment leads to shops, offices and car parks which does not lead to a sustainable environment

39. Urban decay/ absence of community • Over the past 60 years residents in inner cities were moved to the suburbs leading to an absence if community • Few peoples knew there neighbours which lead to isolation • Lack of public transport increased the isolation of people • Often elderly residents remained in inner city areas leading to an aging population

40. Urban decay/ absence of community • New suburban housing estates have younger population leading to lack of social stability • Services in inner city areas have fell into disrepair with community halls and schools closing • Younger people are purchasing property at greater distances from the CBD due to rising house prices

41. Urban decay/ absence of community • Many commute at antisocial hours and are away from home for long periods time. This has a negative impact on family and community life • A two or three hour commute is not uncommon in Ireland leading to a decline in community spirit • Absence of community is a major problem for urban planners

42. Urban renewal: solution to urban decay and absence to community • Urban renewal replaces or upgrades decaying buildings and the land use is kept the same as before • People are temporary re-housed • Ballymun Regeneration Project • Renewal has occurred in many towns and cities ie. The regeneration of Cork city centre • The land use remains the same

43. Urban redevelopment: when people are moved out of there home and rehoused • The building is then demolished and rebuild into commercial property • The land use is changed

44. The Ballymun Regeneration Project • The Ballymun Flats Complex on Dublin's Northside was built as a local authority housing built in the 1960s • Many inner city residents in overcrowded house moved to the high rise flats • First housing project were completed in 1969 hailed as one of Irelands greatest housing schemes • 35 multi-storey blocks (4-15 floors) + 45 two storey houses laid out over 144 hectares

48. The Ballymun Regeneration Project • The project failed almost from the beginning due to a combination of poor housing management, poor infrastructure, substandard insulation • Forty years later became an example of urban decay: many flats were empty and derelict • High levels of unemployment, drug problems, early school leaving and poverty • Project developed to revitalise the area

49. The Ballymun Regeneration Project Aims: • Create a new town by replacing the flats (urban regeneration) • Preserve the community by working with the residents • Re house all existing tenants in the same area • Create centres with shops and services When the service is complete, the area will have a population of 25,000

50. The Ballymun Regeneration Project How aims being achieved? • New 500 metre long Main Street, range of retail, commercial, leisure facilities • Technology park being developed near the M50 • 3,500 homes are planned with 50/50 split between public and private housing • Type of housing: energy efficient, cost average €152,400 to build