International investment at risk as Dublin congestion reaches LA levels

Ireland is fast becoming an urban nation, with Dublin among the most congested cities worldwide, according to Property Industry Ireland, the organisation that represents businesses in the property and construction sector.

PII has warned that Ireland’s ability to attract and retain international investment is at risk if focus is not paid to ensuring that our cities work.

Speaking ahead of the PII annual conference Making Cities Work, held last Thursday, which was addressed by Edward Lister, deputy mayor of London for planning, PII director Peter Stafford said: “The last census showed that the urban population has increased by 10.6%, while the rural population only grew by 4.6% since 2006. Ireland’s population is increasing and it’s moving ever eastwards.

“Two out of every three people live on just 2.4% of Ireland’s landmass and we are becoming an urban country.

“We are still 15% behind European norms for urban living, but catching up fast. Ireland is benefiting from the opportunities that come with being an urban country with large, dynamic cities as incubators for investment and innovation, but we are also facing some of the negative consequences.”

Mr Stafford said Dublin now ranks alongside Rio de Janeiro, Rome, and Los Angeles for congestion.

Dublin City manager Owen Keegan has said that cycling in the city should be improved to make it accessible for the “unbrave”.

“There are a number of indicators which show whether a city is working — the availability and cost of housing, the cost of renting, the availability of commercial property, homelessness, and the cost of travel,” said Mr Stafford.

“On a number of those indicators, Irish cities are not performing as well as they should. This reflects our complex and disjointed planning system, the lack of capital investment in infrastructure and weak local government.

“For a country which is so dependent on international investment for employment and economic activity, it is important that we reflect on whether we are allowing our competitiveness to erode.

“Making Cities Work is about learning from other countries about how they have made cities great places in which to live and work, and also hubs for innovation in design and magnets for new investment. With proper planning and a focus on good design, Irish cities could easily be ranked alongside the best in the world.”