Appendix Full - Fingal County Council

URBAN LOCATIONS
Your Fingal – Written Statement/Draft
/ New developments should recognise the principal design characteristics of the immediate context. Design
decisions taken for the development will be judged by their response to these.
/ Opportunities should be taken to strengthen and develop existing urban form. Reinforcing existing street lines
and building lines, strengthening corners and nodes, providing a focus for vistas or opening up previously
closed vistas to good effect are all matters that enhance urban form.
/ The simple rules for passive surveillance of all streets and public places must be continuously applied. Blind
alleys and blank walls at street level should be eliminated to the greatest extent possible. Public and private
transition on street edge should be clearly discernible without the need for signage or barriers.
/ Routes through developments from public area to public area should be generous and direct as possible for
clarity and supervision.
/ Planting of trees and green interventions should be kept simple and with a clear thought to ease of
maintenance. Planting can be effectively used to delineate the progress from public to private and public
active to public passive areas. The need for barriers such as railings or low walls and should be unnecessary
in design terms or in any event kept to a minimum.
/ Particular attention must be paid to street-edge and back of pavement treatment. These should be designed
in detail, with clear specification of materials and finishes. These latter should preferably be of natural
materials, should be robust in detailing to carry appropriate traffic loading and have some precedent for use
in the existing immediate urban context.
EMPLOYMENT / EDUCATIONAL / LEISURE / HEALTH/ RETAIL BUILDINGS
/ The development should be well integrated into its surroundings by responding sensitively to its local context.
/ The development should contribute to the identity of and civic pride attached to the locality by integrating good
quality new development with existing buildings, creating new spaces and relating well to the existing pattern
of development and landscape to create a pleasant and attractive place with its own identity contributing to the
neighbourhood and its environment.
/ The development should give a good sense of enclosure and place where public and private spaces are
clearly distinguished. The new buildings should relate well to the existing surroundings including continuity of
street frontage.
/ The building design should exhibit a high quality of architectural design and finish using high quality materials
and building methods.
/ The development should create attractive and functional public spaces and consideration should be given in
the design of the development to safe use of these areas with well overlooked public spaces and the use of
high quality materials and landscaping. The scheme should enhance the sense of safety and security within
and beyond the developments.
/ The development should be easily accessible and well connected to the surrounding areas with pedestrian
friendly routes and should make a positive contribution to the way people move around.
/ The scheme should create a development that provides recognisable routes, intersections and landmarks
which are easily navigable to all users including the disabled.
/ The scheme should be located to provide good access to public transport.
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