Changing Urban FunctionsChanging Urban Functions

Drogheda, Co. LouthDrogheda, Co. Louth

FunctionsFunctions

RR II CC EE PP OO TT SS

Res/ Rel/ RecRes/ Rel/ Rec IndustrialIndustrial CommercialCommercial EducationalEducational PortPort Open spacesOpen spaces Transport/ tourismTransport/ tourism ServiceService

Examples of Urban Functions Examples of Urban Functions visible on maps/ photosvisible on maps/ photos

Recreational; pools, Recreational; pools, parks, golf courses, parks, golf courses, marinas.marinas.

Commercial; Commercial; shopping centres, shopping centres, shop fronts, market shop fronts, market squares.squares.

Ports; cranes, Ports; cranes, containers, large containers, large ships, marinas.ships, marinas.

Services; hospitals, Services; hospitals, garda stations, garda stations, government offices.government offices.

Open spaces; car Open spaces; car parks, playing fields, parks, playing fields, river/ mountain walks.river/ mountain walks.

Drogheda’s FunctionsDrogheda’s Functions

MultifunctionalMultifunctional TransportTransport ResidentialResidential IndustrialIndustrial RetailRetail PortPort ReligiousReligious EducationalEducational

HistoryHistory

In the past Drogheda had an important In the past Drogheda had an important defencedefence function. function.

Port was the most important function in the Port was the most important function in the past.past.

It was the basis of Drogheda’s industrial It was the basis of Drogheda’s industrial function.function.

Industries included ironworks, shipbuilding, Industries included ironworks, shipbuilding, shoe-makers, oil and cake mills, textiles.shoe-makers, oil and cake mills, textiles.

HistoryHistory

World famous textile industry.World famous textile industry.Yarn and linen mills.Yarn and linen mills.Raw cotton imported, then spun and Raw cotton imported, then spun and

bleached in Drogheda.bleached in Drogheda.Mills had closed by the early 20th century.Mills had closed by the early 20th century.However world famous Greenhills towel However world famous Greenhills towel

and sheet factory remained opened.and sheet factory remained opened.

Brannigans WeaversBrannigans Weavers

1970’s and 1980’s1970’s and 1980’s

Decline in industryDecline in industry Industries had become uncompetitive on Industries had become uncompetitive on

the world market.the world market.High unemploymentHigh unemploymentDerelict, rundown factories, were a blight Derelict, rundown factories, were a blight

on the landscape.on the landscape.Some were demolished and sites used as Some were demolished and sites used as

carparks.carparks.

1990’s onwards1990’s onwards

Celtic TigerCeltic TigerNational investment policiesNational investment policiesEU grantsEU grantsDevelopment of transport infrastructure; Development of transport infrastructure;

(trains, roads, bypasses,Boyne river (trains, roads, bypasses,Boyne river bridge)bridge)

Commuter townCommuter town

Boyne River BridgeBoyne River Bridge

1990’s1990’s

Large industry; Becton Dickinson (medical Large industry; Becton Dickinson (medical syringes)syringes)

Many industries; Flogas, Natures Best, Many industries; Flogas, Natures Best, Boyne Valley Foods.Boyne Valley Foods.

Derelict industrial sites redeveloped into Derelict industrial sites redeveloped into apartments, hotels, conference centre and apartments, hotels, conference centre and two new shopping centres.two new shopping centres.

TourismTourism

Tourism function is important to the area.Tourism function is important to the area.Good transport links and accommodation.Good transport links and accommodation.Many attractions; Many attractions;

NewgrangeNewgrangeThe Battle of the Boyne siteThe Battle of the Boyne siteMonasterboice High Crosses and TowerMonasterboice High Crosses and Tower

Changing FunctionsChanging Functions

Defence is a past function.Defence is a past function. Importance of the port function has Importance of the port function has

declined.declined.

Exam QuestionExam Question

Explain how the functions and services of Explain how the functions and services of urban centres can change over time. (30 urban centres can change over time. (30 marks)marks)