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Turley support Dublin City Council launch of Cultural Toolkit to help developers create new cultural and community spaces in the city

Last week Dublin City Council announced the development of a new ‘Cultural Toolkit’ resource and guidance for property developers, to be published this Spring. Details of the new Toolkit were announced at the Building Culture symposium on 11 April, hosted by the Complex and facilitated by Turley’s Head of Strategic Communications, and lead on cultural regeneration, John Davison.

The event aimed to foster collaboration between key stakeholders in the Arts and Culture sector and the Development industry in Dublin. Attendees heard from key note speakers sharing their experience of cultural infrastructure delivery in other European cities, including the developer behind the Spinnerei in Leipzig, Germany, alongside presentations from ACME studios, and the Greater London Authority. 

Local speakers highlighted progress on new developer-led proposals in Poolbegs within the Glass Bottle site, and cultural workspace being developed in Merchants Quay and Artane by Dublin City Council. We have supported the development of a Feasibility and Business Case for the Council’s Merchants Quay project as part of the wider Liberties Creative Campus proposals (more information at www.artistworkspaces.ie), and have authored the Cultural Infrastructure Study (2021) and 500-Seat Venue feasibility on behalf of the local authority. 

The new toolkit is designed to help developers fulfil new requirements under the Dublin City Development Plan, including the new requirement for Cultural Infrastructure Assessments (CIA) or Audits. We have undertaken for a number of CIAs for large scale commercial and residential projects across the city. 

All new regeneration areas (SDRAs) and large-scale developments above 10,000 sq m in total area must provide at a minimum for 5% community, arts and culture spaces as part of their development at the design stage. 

John Davison, Head of Strategic Communications, explained the purpose of the symposium and toolkit:

“This was the first time an audience of developers, cultural operators and artform organisations have come together since Dublin City Council introduced the new Development Plan. It aimed to be a jumping off point for the greater level of collaboration required to design, operate and meet the need for sustainable cultural infrastructure across the city.”

The Toolkit provides some of the building blocks to help guide the process of delivering cultural infrastructure, through identifying and responding to a real need, designing for a clear cultural use, and selecting a delivery model that is sustainable for both the developer and operator.

Ray Yeates, City Arts Officer said:

“As we build new housing and offices in a growing Dublin we will have to have new theatres, galleries, concert halls not to mention studios and other critical infrastructure for Artists and their communities. Property Developers, Dublin City Council and Arts Organisations have a new opportunity to work together with this toolkit under the new City Development Plan.”

Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithí de Róiste, speaking at the event said: 

“Culture is the lifeblood of Dublin. We need to provide for a vibrant and sustainable cultural sector and to cater for future population growth in a way that keeps culture at the heart of our communities.”

For more information on our cultural work in Ireland please contact John Davison or Jessica Fok. A selection of our recent culture projects is available below. 

15 April 2024