Searching for the soul of the city
CityPoem 24 - Dublin (3)
By Matthew Beattie
17-12-2006 /views: 1050 in past 12 months.
Dublin is booming, and urban regeneration a very important part of the city. Even so that people write poems about one of its instruments: community gain.
Photo: Gary Lysaght of FKL Architects in Dublin
Also see:
> the Inspiring Cities Dublin Do It Yourself Culture Salon Report
> the Inspiring Cities Dublin New Town Culture Salon
> Inspiring Cities November 2006 Soul of the City Salon, Soul of Dublin presentation
> The links to the other Dublin CityPoems below
> the Inspiring Cities Dublin Do It Yourself Culture Salon Report
> the Inspiring Cities Dublin New Town Culture Salon
> Inspiring Cities November 2006 Soul of the City Salon, Soul of Dublin presentation
> The links to the other Dublin CityPoems below
Dublin CityPoem: Community Gain
This ‘CityPoem’ was sent in by Inspiring Cities’s Matthew Beatty of Dublin: “Not so much a poem as a challenging statement about the city and regeneration, I think. It was forwarded to me by Kieran Rose of Dublin City Council who participated in the DIY Culture salon - Cork Street is part of the local area near my house that was the focus of that discussion. So it also ties in with the recent events here.”
COMMUNITY
GAIN IS A
NICE IDEA
WITH LITTLE
SUBSTANCE
About Community Gain
Community Gain Funding in Dublin
Three areas in the Dublin Central area and two areas in the South Central area were approved as Integrated Area Plans (IAPs) under the 1998 Urban Renewal Act, they were:
- North East Inner City (NEIC)
- O’Connell St Integrated Area Plan
- HARP Integrated Area Plan
- Kilmainham/Inchicore Integrated Area Plan
- Liberties/Coombe Integrated Area Plan
The aim of the IAPs was to address the social, economic or physical deficits of the areas concerned. A feature of the operation of the Plans was the concept of community gain, whereby developers availing of tax incentives on designated sites would contribute to a fund either in financial contributions or direct provision of facilities. The fund is “ringfenced” (relating to the plan area) and invested in the provision of general community facilities and services in the Plan areas.
Three areas in the Dublin Central area and two areas in the South Central area were approved as Integrated Area Plans (IAPs) under the 1998 Urban Renewal Act, they were:
- North East Inner City (NEIC)
- O’Connell St Integrated Area Plan
- HARP Integrated Area Plan
- Kilmainham/Inchicore Integrated Area Plan
- Liberties/Coombe Integrated Area Plan
The aim of the IAPs was to address the social, economic or physical deficits of the areas concerned. A feature of the operation of the Plans was the concept of community gain, whereby developers availing of tax incentives on designated sites would contribute to a fund either in financial contributions or direct provision of facilities. The fund is “ringfenced” (relating to the plan area) and invested in the provision of general community facilities and services in the Plan areas.
Works are now completed or reaching completion on many of the sites within the three IAPS areas, so last June, the City Council invited once off applications for community gain funding. There will be two types of grants available; major grants for projects estimated to cost €50,000 or more and minor grants (maximum of €10,000) for small projects.
Examples of eligible facilities/services are:
- Environmental Improvements (parks, playgrounds etc.)
- Multi-functional community facilities used by multiple organisations
- Heritage projects
- Facilities or services for children, youth, senior citizens, immigrants etc.
It is important to note that a project or service must provide a new or additional resource.
- Environmental Improvements (parks, playgrounds etc.)
- Multi-functional community facilities used by multiple organisations
- Heritage projects
- Facilities or services for children, youth, senior citizens, immigrants etc.
It is important to note that a project or service must provide a new or additional resource.
Community Gain Example
Example of the Community Gain instrument applied in Liberties Coombe, Dublin:
Community Gain on Tax Designated Sites
Under the Integrated Area Plan developers who wish to avail of tax incentives on designated sites in the IAP must contribute "Community Gain" to the plan area. A report on Community Gain was prepared and noted by the South Central Area Committee in October 2002.
Community Gain may be divided into the following categories:
1. A percentage of residential development to be allocated for social or affordable housing - to be purchased, by agreement, by the City Council.
2. A financial contribution based on the development proposed - the contribution to be invested in the provision of community and leisure facilities in the plan area
3. Provision of facilities/opportunities within the physical development e.g. play areas, youth club facilities, training workshops, low cost offices, community resource centres, pedestrian links to new or existing spaces, creation or enhancement of small neighbourhood squares or parks etc.
4. The development itself - as in, for example, the preservation or restoration of a building of historical or architectural merit or the remodelling of shopfronts or facades to meet with the objectives of the IAP.
5. Provision of permanent employment opportunities and training for members of the local community.
2. A financial contribution based on the development proposed - the contribution to be invested in the provision of community and leisure facilities in the plan area
3. Provision of facilities/opportunities within the physical development e.g. play areas, youth club facilities, training workshops, low cost offices, community resource centres, pedestrian links to new or existing spaces, creation or enhancement of small neighbourhood squares or parks etc.
4. The development itself - as in, for example, the preservation or restoration of a building of historical or architectural merit or the remodelling of shopfronts or facades to meet with the objectives of the IAP.
5. Provision of permanent employment opportunities and training for members of the local community.
See more Dublin CityPoems:
- Dublin (1) - Cafe Zanzibar
- Dublin (2) - internet poetry
- Dublin (4) - Guinness
- Dublin (5) - commemorating the Great War
- Dublin (6) - only dull people are brilliant at breakfast
- Dublin (7) - blogger's poetry
- Dublin (8) - open your eyes
- Dublin (9) - politics or poetry?
Inspiring Cities Museum of CityPoems
Inspiring Cities has collected many citypoems over the years, as well as organized salons with citypoets and cities doing special projects. We have two criteria for what a citypoem is: the intention must be poetic, and it must be in the public realm of cities. Shapes, form and locations can and do differ.
The Museum of CityPoems has citypoems from cities all over the world. From Alhambra to Zonnebeke, from Taipei to Lima.
Got one yourself? Mail us your pictures (free of rights) and description, and we will publish.
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