Dublin REGION

Well developed urban based economy High per capita income; 10% higher than EU average High standard of living High population density Low unemployment Advanced technology and infrastructure High productivity levels Dominates trade Inward investment Seat of government

Characteristics

Dublin Region: The smallest but most populous region in Ireland.Physical: Mostly flat but to south rises into Dublin mts.

Drained by the Liffey, tolka, dodder & includes a low lying coast.

Mainly limestone, so permeableClimate: Cool temperate oceanic; warmer and drier than western regionTemp 5°C to 6°C in winter & 16°C in Summer, 4 hours sunshine per day & 800mm rainfall pa… half that of the West of Irl. Due to rain shadow effect (Dublin Mts receive more rain due to altitude)270 day growing season so crops ripen earlier than rest of countriesFrost has less effect due to coastal locationSoils: Mainly brown earth…. Humus formed from decaying deciduous forests.Deep fertile soil, mainly arable (growing crops).Also alluvial soils from the local rivers e.g. LiffeyHighly productive, ideal for market gardening e.g. Rush

Primary activities:Agriculture: Has 1,500 farms (150,000 nationally) Produces 11% of Irelands wheat & 15% of our potatoes. Farm incomes 40% higher than averageHighly mechanised and intensiveSpecialise in market gardening because:Close to the sea… less risk of frostDrier & more sunshine… easier harvest cropFlat terrain & good soil…. Easy for mechanisationLarge urban market (1 million pop) nearbyHigh land value requires intensive farming for high returns.

Farm output is high and meets demand of large wealthy urban marketAge profile of farmers is lower than in westFarmer educated and have market orientated and scientific approachMore than half irish greenhouses located in north county dublinAgricultural land under threat from urban sprawl

This is proof that physical economic & human processes interact in farmingSheep farming important in Dublin mts. Fishing: Howth & Skerries are important fishing ports. Mainly demersal fishing (lower depths), Howth is the 3rd largest port in Ireland (2008 worth 8.5m)Nearby skerries worth 2.3m Dublin bay prawns make up 40% irish exportsFishing is declining due to overfishing and aquaculture is limited due to pollution1960 35% of Irish fish landed in Dublin ports in 2000 down to 3%Less than 1% of pop. of Dublin are involved in Primary activity.

Secondary Activities15% of pop. involved in secondary sector, higher than national average Contains 25% (1200) of manufacturing plants in Ireland Outputs 28% of Irelands total & employs 63,000 people. Varies from brewing & tobacco to health care & electronics production. Wages & ind. growth are higher than the national average. Dublin region attracts manufacturing sector because:Nodal point, routeways, rail, air and Irelands main port…. ease of access to raw material & components from abroadDirect government investment, 60% of investment in 1990’s was in DublinLow corporate tax rate 12.5% V UK where it is 28%Large pop… large market for goodsLarge labour force…. many educated to third level attract knowledge based MNC’s (80% of third level colleges here)Excellent infrastructure…. road, rail & airport…. access to countrywide marketsVariety of services…. design, advertising, accounting, back up & spin off ind.

Main industries include engineering & metal products, including electronic engineering.

Print industry is also very strong. Emphasis is on the consumer sector due to large local market. (Irish Independent)

Modern growth Industries, internet technology e.g. Google, Pharmaceutical (Pfizer) and computer software (Intel)

Also traditional industries such as brewing i.e. Guiness locate inside city limits due to proximity of port and labour force

Newer Industries: Locate in industrial estates & business parks… due to zoning polices. Need space & access. Employ locally & reduce commuting in the city. Easy access by M50 and close to large labour pool

Sattelite Towns ideal for these new industries:More space for future expansion e.g. PfizerBiopharmaceutical in Clondalkin, just off the M5095% of employees have a 3rd level qualificationsEmploys over 1000 peopleInvested 640m euro in research in Ireland

Dublin is Europe’s largest centre for ICT5 of worlds to ten software companies located there

Including: Amazon, Ebay, Google, Intel, Facebook, IBM, MicrosoftOver 800 foregin companies, 350 are americanCause for concern with recent downturn, 30,000 jobs lost in 2009 (40% of Irish total)

Tertiary Sector84% employed in this sector…. entertainment, health, education, retail.Urban redevelopment along docks by Customs House Docks Development authority. International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) built to create 7,500 jobs in 5 years. Achieved due to

Irelands advanced telecommunications technology

Highly skilled finance & computer graduatesAttracted foreign investment due to cheaper land

price than other European cities. Attracted major international financial institutions

due to marketing success… employs 7,000.Docks developed due to spin off industries of hotels, catering, stationery, offices & construction.

Telecommunications: Dublin a leader in European call centres. Telesales commerce located in business parks like Blackrock & Sandyford.City West business park (1990) was Dublin's first out of town Corporate business campus. It is now the National Digital Park…. a hub for high tech communications & e-commerce…. broadband allowing voice, video & data transfer at low cost & high speed. Dublin has 19 out of 21 data centres of e-commerce nationally.Tourism: Attracts many tourists for sporting & cultural events & seen as a weekend break city. (over 3 million pa)90% of all flights to Ireland land in DublinDubln attracts 27% of Ireland visitors and earns approx 1b from tourism

Tourism Thrives because:Government involvment – in leisure and cultural attractionsCity council – pedestrianised streets e.g. Grafton St.Well developed accommodationFailte Ireland promotes it abroad – 2003 europes 3rd most popular city destination

Transport: Most efficient transport system in IrelandDublin port handles 50% of Irelands port trafficDublin airport handled 20.9m passengers in 2009, 2010 Terminal 2 openedDublin Bus, Luas, and DARTSerious Traffic congestion – avg city speed 14km per hourNew towns like Tallaght & Clondalkin were developed as low density urban sprawl between 1970 & 2000. This led to a dependence on car travel since the rail network was not integrated. Planner now began to integrate housing planning & transport:City development will be apartments & high density housingExpand present towns with integrated rail links.

Transport initiatives include: Dubln Port Tunnel 2006M50 upgraded 2007QBC – Quality Bus Corridors€3 billion investment in LUAS.Expand DART & suburban rail links. Proposed metro system at a cost of €7 billion. Dublin has 7 local authorities & an integrated plan and single

authority is required to plan for the future transport network.

Urban sprawl: Pop is moving from the city centre to the suburbs…. doughnut fashion. 1971 city had 54% of pop… By 1996 34% & continues to fall… 30% by 2011. Projects to curtail this include the docklands rejuvenation with housing for 25,000.M50 built as a by pass now the city’s main traffic thoroughfare.Planners, under the National Spatial Strategy aim to promote gateway towns throughout the country with 3rd level colleges & science parks… Limerick, Galway, Sligo. State agencies no longer offer aid to firms setting up in Dublin.Govt. decentralisation…. aim to move Govt departments to regional towns like Ennis & Castlebar.

1.3 million pop 1990’s migrant attracted to area – 63,000 Increase in younger population – young and skilled Educational attainment not evenly spread – below

average attend college (50.8% V 55%) Multi-cultural city, different religions Foregin national account for 8% of pop This group has helped regenerate inner city Not sure if ghettos will be created (have to wait and

see)

Human Processes

Dublin contains 30% of Irish pop Sprawl limited south by mountains and north by airport Expanded west As people leave city centre it forms a doughnut shape Degenration of inner city,n urban rejuvenation projects e.g.

National Convention Centre and Grand Canal Theatre New Towns bulit e.g. Tallaght to counter Urban sprawl Greenbelts inbetween, but these are being eaten up by city Adamstown developed in west dublin – 25,000 people, high rise to

fit european model Govt policy of decentralisation and gateways to halt development

but policy has failed

Urban Rural Development

Expanded rapidly since 1950 – now influences large part of east of country – wicklow, Kildare, Meath

Vikings in 9th Century Bridging point, centre of trade, primate Focus of road and rail 1.6 million, 1971-35.7%, 46%-2020 Leader in terms economic performance Centre of government, headquarters of private companies 1970’s uncontrolled expansion, built Blanchardstown 1990’s people left city, due to higher house prices, greater wealth

and higher car ownership 3 county councils: Dun Laoghaire- Rathdown, Fingal, South County

Dublin NSS – develop vacant land, use existing buildings,move older people

to smaller houses to make large houses available for families

Growth of Dublin City