A landmark political evaluation and signpost for the future
If the Waterfront South Central scheme is approved, it will be a landmark state endorsement of the financialisation of housing4. It will validate the thinking and increase the influence of those who promote and benefit from the current model, including some who use the housing crisis as a cynical cover for investment capital to extract rapid unprecedented profit. It will reinforce a development model that condemns the younger generation, even in well-paying jobs, to pay unaffordable prices or rents, and is building a legacy of tiny shoebox apartments packed onto sites without regard for sustainability concerns like accommodating children, working from home or adaptability.
If the Waterfront South Central scheme is rejected, it will mark a positive expression of a country willing to rethink how we address the complex challenges of housing and neighbourhoods. It will be a positive rejection of the thinking that welcomed vulture funds as an unqualified godsend and promoted co-living as a cool lifestyle choice. It could mark an opportunity to learn from the last decade and empower our national and local authorities and our talented built environment professionals to generate better housing solutions, for all of our society, economy and environment.
The decision made is pivotal to the next phases of national housing and urban development policies, as well as policies for financial regulation. The next version of ‘Rebuilding Ireland’, updates to the Housing Act and the future role of the Land Development Agency are currently at stake. All are critical to how we address our housing crisis.
A Yes or a No in this case is due by 20th May 2021 and will be a clear signal of even more of the same or a possibility to change.
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The Waterfront South Central proposal has had media coverage, but often more about the personalities involved than the wider dynamics and potential impacts of the development.
WTF Dublin is a non-profit group of people from different backgrounds and disciplines who see this scheme as a landmark case that warrants greater public discourse. We want to promote wider awareness and interrogation of the scheme itself through directing people to the information made available by the developers. We also provide context to and commentary on the claims made in the proposal.
We will be posting in future on efforts and suggestions to build a more inclusive, equitable and cohesive society and city.
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www.wtfdublin.org
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW4mgknqT7I
