Designing Dublin : The Compendium by Designing Dublin

The Compendium DESIGNING DUBLIN : Learning to Learn

DD 1.0 : Finding the hidden potential of place Clongriffin DD 2.0 : Love the City Dublin City Centre

The Compendium DESIGNING DUBLIN : Learning to Learn

DD 1.0 : Finding the hidden potential of place Clongriffin DD 2.0 : Love the City Dublin City Centre

Table of contents Part 01 – Zoom Designing Dublin : Learning to Learn

Concept 05 Structure 06 Background 07 Pilots 09 Working method 11 Overview 13

Part 02 – Zoom x 1

Designing Dublin 1.0 : Finding the hidden potential of place Overview 15 Background 18 World Cafés 21 Location 27 Team 29 Collaborators 30 Brief 33 Activities & structure 35 Prototype Celebration 01 Path to the Coast 02 PlayVision 03 Community Hothouse 04 Communication Exchange 05 Grow Local

42 45 51 57 63 67

Insights and learnings 73 Outcomes 75

Part 03 – Zoom x 2 Designing Dublin 2.0 : Love the City

Overview 79 Background 81 Location 83 DD 2.0 : Discovery phase 87 Stages 89 Outcomes 90 DD 2.0 : Project phase 93 Team 96 Brief 97 Activities & structure 99 Prototype Extravaganza Prototype 01 – 10 Enterprises/10Days/10 Tests Prototype 02 – Microcosmic Intervention Prototype 03 – City Works Prototype 04 – Golden Path Prototype 05 – Pimp your Pavement Prototype 06 – Broadcasting People Prototype 07 – Urban Living Prototype 08 – Creativity Network

127 130 190 222 256 294 324 352 388

Outcomes 419

Part 01

DESIGNING DUBLIN Learning to Learn A Design Twentyfirst Century project supported by Creative Dublin Alliance, in partnership with Dublin City Council

Concept Designing Dublin : Learning to Learn (DD : LL) is a learning initiative about improving Dublin City. DD : LL is founded on a simple concept – connect Dublin’s challenges with the capacity and willingness of it’s citizens to improve their city, so that everyone can enjoy a more prosperous, enjoyable and sustainable city. Launched in 2009, Designing Dublin : Learning to Learn was created by the not for profit organisation Design Twentyfirst Century in collaboration with the Creative Dublin Alliance who is lead by Dublin City Council. Between 2009 and 2011 Design Twentyfirst Century ran two DD : LL projects, the first in Clongriffin and the second in Dublin’s City Centre.

Structure Designing Dublin : Learning to Learn aims to answer the need of how we can better equip people with the motivation and skills to solve city-wide, wicked problems in a more holistic, intelligent and designed way. Developed throughout 2008 and 2009, the Designing Dublin : Learning to Learn model included 5 unique qualities. In order to be accepted to Designing Dublin : Learning to Learn candidates had to undergo a rigorous interview day where they were tested on their abilities on a variety of fronts, including team work, creativity, ability to problem solve and handle pressure.

01 Allow people to interact with cities as living laboratories By matching real world projects with multidisciplinary, real world people. 02 Mix individuals from the private and public sectors By joining volunteers who work full time (who want to learn design processes and want to contribute to their city), and seconded staff from Dublin City Council. The model is based on multidisciplinary teams who work collectively by leveraging the diversity of their thinking. 03 Allow processes to produce outcomes By establishing a set of tools and methodologies based on design processes that outline a clear and directed but still flexible creative process that produces innovative ideas and outcomes. 04 Embrace an ethos of possibility and yes we can attitude By approaching challenges creatively, with an open, optimistic and curious mindset we allow the space for sustainable innovation to occur. 05 Foster individual responsibility and ownership By producing intelligent, wellinformed and committed people who will act not just observe.

Background 2006

2007

2008

In 2006, Design Twentyfirst Century was established by entrepreneurs Jean Byrne and Jim Dunne. The not for profit was based on their belief that new ways of learning were needed to nurture a happier, healthier and more prosperous nation.

In 2007 they were inspired by the work of Bruce Mau and the Institute Without Boundaries (IwB) in Toronto who had jointly created and produced Massive Change, a global discursive project on the future of design.

In 2008 they invited Vannesa Ahuactzin, a former student of IwB and colleague of Bruce Mau to help shape their work going forward.

Design Twentyfirst Century was founded on three core beliefs : 01 Business methods based on design and design processes offer a very real approach and can help solve many of the deeply complicated, interconnected problems in our society today. 02 The big challenges of Ireland, and the world, can be addresses if we adopt new ways of thinking and working together. 03 Design thinking, creativity and innovation are part of an approach that fits well with our natural capabilities as Irish people and enables a unique form of learning that can be applied across any domain.

2008-09

2009

2010-11

Between 2008 and 2009 Vannesa became Creative Director of Design Twentyfirst Century and worked collaboratively with Jean and Jim to shape the Designing Dublin : Learning to Learn model.

In 2009 as a way to pilot the model Designing Dublin 1.0 – Finding the hidden potential of place in Clongriffin was initiated. The pilot was supported by Dublin City Council and the Creative Dublin Alliance, as well as by a set of national and international partners and collaborators, such as Smurfit School of Business, DIT, Radarstation and the KaosPilots from Aarhus, Denmark.

Between 2010 and 2011 Design Twentyfirst Century ran the second pilot entitled Designing Dublin 2.0 – Love the City based in Dublin’s City Centre. Also supported by Dublin City Council and the Creative Dublin Alliance, the project involved many international and national speakers and collaborators who helped by influencing the project with countless knowledge. They included Killian Stokes from My Good Points, Neil McCabe from Kilbarrack Fire Station and Roni Tino, Digital Technology Advisor from Copenhagen, Denmark.

Pilots Design Twentyfirst Century had the opportunity to run two projects :

DESIGNING DUBLIN 1.0 Finding the hidden potential of place/ Clongriffin September to November 2009

DESIGNING DUBLIN 2.0 Love the City/ Dublinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s City Centre Discovery phase : March 2010 to May 2010 Project phase : September 2010 to March 2011

DESIGNING DUBLIN 1.0

DESIGNING DUBLIN 2.0

Finding the hidden potential of place/Clongriffin

Love the City/ Dublin’s City Centre

3 months 1 Creative Director 1 Project Co-Ordinator 9 volunteers 7 Dublin City Council staff 1 Fingal County Council staff 1 location, Clongriffin

Discovery phase 3 months 1 Creative Director 6 Team Members 6 Dublin City Council staff 1 Fingal County Council staff 1 location, Dublin City Centre

Finding the hidden potential of place aimed to engage a multidisciplinary group of people in co-developing optimistic projects for the ‘ghost town’ of Clongriffin. From September to November 2009, the team collaborated to listen to the needs of the local residents, find ideas for the area, test these ideas and engage residents in taking ownership of the projects.

Project phase 6 months 1 Creative Director 3 Team Leaders 7 volunteers 5 Dublin City Council staff 1 location, Dublin City Centre 3 stages Love the City aimed to undertake the massive task of re-invigorating the City Centre by inspiring people to become re-aware of the City Centre’s offerings while providing people with urban experiences that are carefree, delightful, safe and about discovery.

The team who worked on Finding the hidden potential of place came from multiple disciplines including accountancy, fashion design, architecture, law, mechanical engineering, product design, cultural administration, interactive digital media, graphic design and branding, libraries, landscape architecture, project management, and some were entrepreneurs running their own businesses.

The project included three stages : A Grow awareness of the city September – November 2010 B Improve the destination experience December 2010 – March 2011 C Make the city sticky April – May 2011 The team came from multiple disciplines including industrial design, marketing, art and drama, sheet metal work, architecture, community work, anthropology, engineering, and academia.

Working method Designing Dublin : Learning to Learn uses the framework of design as the working method. The design process has distinct stages, which can be linear in nature, or messy, repeating and overlapping. There are no right answers, paths or set goals, rather a trust that the process will lead to solutions. By using the design process, Designing Dublin creates work that is elastic in nature. Ideas and projects have the ability to stretch and bend without cracking as their core is based on well-founded information and insights. Design also allows people to learn by doing, to investigate new possibilities throughout the project and to have ideas fail, with the safeguard of returning to the stable core.

01 02 03 Discovery

Understanding

IDEATION

A deep dive into researching the project area, talking to the people affected, doing ethnographic research, getting your hands dirty in the subject, looking at the area from many viewpoints and seeing it with fresh eyes.

Finding the insights, opportunities and initial ideas. Discovering what the core challenges are and investigating them through possibility.

Generating ideas to address the challenges, imagining future scenarios and the projects that would lead to them, sketching concepts in quick and dirty manner, making the ideas public and shareable.

04 05 PROTOTYPING

IMPLEMENTATION

Testing out the ideas, making them real and getting the users involved in understanding their effectiveness. Iterating the prototypes, improving them each time to end up with a robust outcome. Looking at each iteration with a critical eye and constantly refining.

Taking the final prototype and making it real, be it a service, product or system.

September to November 2009

1.0 FINDING THE HIDDEN POTENTIAL OF PLACE DEFINING PROJECT

DISCOVERING CLONGRIFFIN

ZOOM TO WORKING AREA

IDEAS TRANSFORMATION

Wishes for Dublin World Cafés Water Waste Community in the city

Site Study Open Days 1700 ideas

9 processes 18 ideas

5 Projects 5 Prototypes

Process types

› Clongriffin was? Clongriffin is? Clongriffin will be? › How do we increase the vibrancy of experiences & encounters? › How do we open up & connect Clongriffin? › How do we reinvent spaces into places? › How do we enable expression/talents /experiences/activities/beauty/love / joy? › How can we facilitate cross-cultural exchanges? › How can Clongriffin invent & utilise new economic opportunities? › How do we turn the passion that is in disputes into passion for the future? › How do we help people understand the potential of the surrounding environment? › How does the city support enterprise? › How can we make this your city? › How can people be empowered to maximise the potential of the city’s resources? › How do you relate to the city? How close do you feel to the city? › What motivates people to come into & use Dublin, feel close to Dublin? What could motivate them to come into Dublin more often, feel closer to Dublin? › What are the hidden gems in Dublin city? › What makes a place feel special? › Chat couch › Ribbons on Ha’Penny Bridge › Talking with teenagers › Stall in Point Village market › Children’s cameras › Post-its in Science Gallery › Senior citizens conversations › Foreign nationals conversations › Pearse House residents group

Collaborators

› Leprechaun Museum conversations › These are the people who exchange their products in the city › These are the people who move us through the city › These are the people who live in the city centre › These are the people who start up new things in the city › Street Conversations around Markets Area › Drop in conversations with stakeholders around Markets Area

› › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › ›

›

› ›

KaosPilots Team 15 Paul Natorp, KaosPilots Team Leader Kristin Birkeland, KaosPilots Team Leader Tobias Lau, Social Action Dr Ann Torres, Vice Dean of Internationalisation, NUI Galway Mary Jennings Lorraine O’Rahilly, Forum Research Ronan Harrington, ARK Angela Cotter, Director Park Developments Dr. Maureen Concannon, Psychologist Derek Dixon, Senior Engineer, DCC Phyllis Monaghan, Senior Community Officer, DCC Celine Reilly, Area Manager, DCC Adrienne Eacrett, GIS expert John O’Shea, Near 90 FM Luis Pedro, Documentary maker Niamh McGrath, Community Development student, NUI Maynooth Eilish Beirne, Designing Dublin 1.0 team Peter Röjhammar, KaosPilot student Cian McKenna, Graphic designer me&him&you, Ronan Dillon & Peter O’Gara Photographers, Lydia Bigley, Hazel Coonagh, Amy Fitzgerald, Patrick O’Connor, Thea Tilley, Stephen Moloney Architects, Martin Burzlaff, Amy Fitzgerald, Sarah Maguire, Niamh Mooney, Sarah Maguire & Paul Flynn Ronni Tino, Digital Technologies Advisor Peter Froberg, Business models & social innovation Sima Rouholamin, Lecturer DIT Architectural Technician Liam Barry, DCEB

› Gerry Gannon, Gannon Homes › Assumpta Kerins, Clongriffin school principal › Sinéad O Meara, Clongriffin school principal › Joe Crosbie, Superintendent of Markets, DCC › Sergeant Larry Brady, Bridewell Garda Station › Frank McDonald, Irish Times jounalist › Brendan Flynn, The Church Bar & Restaurant › Tom Coffey, DCBA › Geraldine Hickey, Civic Trust › Clongriffin residents › Dublin residents

March to May 2010

2.0 DISCOVERY PHASE : LOVE THE CITY IMAGING CITY

UNDERSTANDING CITY

REVIEWING CITY

Relationship matrix Image matrix

100 documents 140 stakeholders 80 facts

Uncovering Dublin’s hidden initiatives

IDEATING CITY 200 ideas for city TEN CHALLENGES

PEOPLE CITY

Naming the city’s key challenges

Scenarios of people living in the city

PROJECT MATCHING Linking sample projects to ten challenges MAPPING CITY Book Exhibition

Steering group

Book club

Radio

Press

› Michael Stubbs, Assistant City Manager, DCC › Ali Grehan, City Architect, DCC › Dick Gleeson, City Planner, DCC › Lorna Maxwell, Economic Development Unit, DCC › Charlie Lowe, Area Manager, DCC › Mary Conway, Senior Planner, DCC › Maire Twomey, Area Manager, DCC › Eileen Brady, Area Manager, DCC › Jim Keogan, Executive Manager, DCC › Declan Wallace, Planning & Economic › Development, DCC › Michael O’Neill, Area Manager, DCC › Sean O’Laoire, Architect › Jean Byrne, Design Twentyfirst Century › Jim Dunne, Design Twentyfirst Century

› Redrawing Dublin by Paul Kearns and Motti Ruimy › Man Watching: A Field Guide to Human Behaviour by Desmond Morris › The Smart Swarm by Peter Miller › Cities for People by Jan Gehl › Creating Sustainable Cities by Herbert Girardet › Collapse by Jared Diamond › The production of space by Henry Lefebvre › Glimmer by Warren Berger › The uncommon life of common objects by Akiko Busch › Delusions of gender by Cordelia Fine › What would google do? by Jeff Jarvis › Journeys of Courage by Joy Carol › Who’s your City? by Richard Florida › Recycle by Moira and Nicholas Hankinson › In search of Myths and Heroes by Michael Wood › 505 Great Leaders, Scientists, Inventors, Sports People, Stage Performers by Robert Frederick › The Way of Nowhere by Nick Udall & Nic Turner

› Learning about Designing Dublin › Love the City › 100 exciting things you did not know about the city centre › Living in the City › Movement in the City › Enterprise in the City › Love the City: Out Loud! › Prototyping ‘Lack’s of…’ part 1 › Prototyping ‘Lack’s of…’ part 2 › Prototyping ‘Lack’s of…’ part 3 › Concluding Love the City

› ‘Dublin project seeks optimists’ Irish Times, June 30th 2009 › ‘A landscape of half-built buildings’ Irish Times, October 23rd 2009 › ‘How do you solve a problem like Clongriffin?’ Irish Times, November 26th 2009 › ‘Recession gives designers the space to be creative’ Irish Times, October 10th 2009 › ‘If you only do one thing this weekend… Take in’ Irish Times, November 18th 2010 › ‘Web log: Explore 100 of Dublin’s hidden gems’ Irish Times, January 28th 2010 › ‘Less traffic, more McDonald’s – no chuggers’ Irish Times, April 19th 2011 › ‘Seeing Irish Design in a new light’ Irish Times, November 1st 2010 › ‘Spotlight on the capital’ Irish Times, October 29th 2010 › ‘Designing Dublin project seeks to promote city centre’ University Times, March 23rd 2011 › ‘Country V city’ Sunday Times, April 24th 2011 › ‘Volunteers with a vision to help us love our city again’ Evening Herald, April 2nd 2010 › ‘Council forking out 40k to lure families back into city centre’ Evening Herald, August 6th 2010 › ‘100 exciting things you didn’t know about the city centre’ Pivot Dublin Events,November 16th 2010 › ‘Revealing one million urban offerings’ Irish Architecture Foundation, November 16th 2010

September 2010 to March 2011

2.0 PROJECT PHASE : LOVE THE CITY

DISCOVERING DUBLIN

CONNECTING DUBLIN

MAPPING DUBLIN

100 examples 100 ideas 10 prototypes

9 processes 100 Exciting things you did not know about the city centre Exhibition Book

Area identification

ZOOM TO WORKING AREA

IDEAS TRANSFORMATION

Site Study Open Days 11 Lack of’s

8 Prototypes Prototype Extravaganza

Grow awareness of the city

Improve the destination experience

Make the city sticky

› ‘Exhibition : Designing Dublin’ Le Cool Issue 221, November 18th 2010 › ‘Selected *008’ Le Cool Issue 441, March 31st 2011 › ‘Go periwinkle picking in Sandymount’ Today in Dublin, February 4th 2011 › ‘Mapping Dublin’s surprises’ Stranded – January 28th 2011 › ‘100 exciting things’ Come Here to Me, January 18th 2011 › ‘Love the City. Designing Dublin’ Come Here to Me, February 8th 2011 › ‘Prototype extravaganza from Designing Dublin’ Come Here to Me, March 29th 2011 › ‘Designing Dublin – MA Design for Development blog’ February 21st 2011 › ‘Technology in mapping’ Capital D, RTE › ‘Prototype extravaganza event’ Near 90 FM March 28th 2011

SUMMARY Compendium Presentations

Weekly speakers

Events/Presentations

› Michael Crowe, Architect › Paul Mooney, Irish Estates Management Company › Anne McNeill, Local chemist › Naoise McDonnell, Area Planner › David O’Connor, Manager Fingal County Council › Justin Purcell, Enterprise co-ordinator › Declan Hayden, Integration Officer, DCC › Andrew McNeill, St. Catherine’s Parish priest › Alan Mee, Architect › Trevor White, City of 1000 Welcomes › Nicky Gogan, Still Films › Jeannette Lowe, Photographer › Killian Stokes, Mygoodpoints › Olivier Vander Elst, Greenaer › Peter O’Brien, Dartmouth Sq. resident › Dr. Fergus McCabe › Teresa Dillon, Polar Produce › Sam Bishop, Streetfeast › Lauren Currie, Snook › Cllr Emer Costello › Peter O’Gara, me&him&you › Ronan Dillon, me&him&you › Ré Dubhthaigh, Radarstation › Paul Kearns, Architect › Mark O’Halloran, Actor & writer › Anastasia Crickley, Head of Applied Social Studies, NUI Maynooth › Michael Rice, Bio-architect › Maser, Grafitti artist › Niall O’Baoill, Culture Co-ordinator of Fatima Groups United › John Harrington, RealEyes › Neil McCabe, Firefighter Kilbarrack fire station › Damini Kumar, Director Design & Creativity, NUI Maynooth › Mary-Ann Harris, Bio-diversity Officer DCC

› › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › › ›

› › › ›

Water World Café Waste World Café Community in city World Café DD 1.0 recruitment talk – DIT DD 1.0 recruitment talk – Science Gallery Metropolitan Architects workshop Innovation Dublin 1 – Stop, Do, Learn ‘Finding the hidden potential of place’ DCC staff presentation ‘Finding the hidden potential of place’ Senior Management team presentation ‘Finding the hidden potential of place’ North Central Area presentation ‘Finding the hidden potential of place’ CRA DCC presentation Pecha Kucha night presentation Academy of Urbanism presentation Presentation to ‘What is Dublin for?’ team Service Design Thinks & Drinks presentation ‘Love the City’ discovery findings open studio DD 2.0 recruitment talk – Science Gallery DD 2.0 recruitment talk – Essex Street studio Presentation of discovery phase from DD1.0 team members Presentation from ‘What is Dublin for?’ project Presentation of work to Malmö City Council AOL Creation Station participation Innovation Dublin 2 – Filmbase – ‘100 exciting things you did not know about the city centre’ Kehinde Oluwatosin, Planner DCC Katerina Kopecna, BSc Property Studies, DIT Kathy Scott, Ireland Iceland Project George Boyle, Fumbally Exchange

› Exhibition DCC Atrium – 100 exciting things you did not know about the city centre › Lisa Amini, IBM › Fergus Browne, Liffey Corridor planner › Sophie Gräfin von Maltzan, Fieldwork & Strategies › Visit to the Studio, DCC › Visit from the Studio, DCC › Jane Ruffino, Mindfield › Emma Creighton, TFE Research Group, NCAD › Fan Sissoko, MA in Design for Development, › Kingston University, London › Gary Nash, Architecture student, WIT › Nicola Sherry, freelance service designer › ConsEnSus workshop participation › North Georgian Squares discussion › Rich Bailey, freelance journalist › Conor Markey, Irish Good News blog › Professor Ludger Hovestadt & Dr. Vera Bühlmann, ETH University, Zürich › Jan Nielsen & Gitte Jørgensen, Danish librarians › Ruth Hynes, Make Do, DIT › Transcolonia discussion participation › Tom Rowley, Storymap Dublin › OPENCities process facilitation › ‘Love the City’ presentation – Science Gallery › ‘Love the City’ presentation – DCC departments

Part 02

DESIGNING DUBLIN 1.0 Finding the hidden potential of place : Clongriffin September to November 2009

DESIGNING DUBLIN 1.0 [ WISHES FOR DUBLIN ] > 1200 Wishes expressed by citizens

01. Waste

02. Water

03. Community in the city

[ 3 WORLD CAFÉS ]

Project theme : Finding the hidden potential of place

Project place : Clongriffin

Project team : 17 people

May – June 2009

Smurfit School of Business

PROJECT 1700 IDEAS

}

9 PROCESSES

}

OPEN DAYS

}

18 IDEAS

}

5 PROJECTS 5 PROTOTYPES

}

3 PROJECTS

}

Exploring Clongriffin, meeting with key stakeholders and members of the community. Researching ideas from around the world based on what the team heard in Clongriffin. Collaborating with KaosPilots to develop 9 processes for engaging with the community. Work is showcased in Clongriffin. Members of the community are invited to comment and add to the projects.

Innovation Week : Team hold an open studio in St. Stephen’s Green, inviting members of the public to come in and share their ideas on their work. › Path to the Coast › Hothouse } DIT Architectural Technicians › Grow Local › Communication Exchange › PlayVision

› Path to the Coast › Community Hub › Grow Local

Current 2011

}

September 2009 – November 2009

SITE STUDY

Background In the spring of 2009 Design Twentyfirst Century collaborated with students from UCD’s Michael Smurfit School of Business to collect a series of 'Wishes for Dublin'. Over the course of 2 weeks the students held conversations with children, senior citizens, teenagers, foreign nationals, and collected over 1200 wishes for the city. The purpose of collecting the wishes was to identify a project theme for the first Designing Dublin : Learning to Learn. Through a process of review, analysis and pattern identification, the Smurfit students discovered that three themes emerged repeatedly in people’s wishes – Water, Waste & Community in the city.

" I wish I could cycle around the city safely and easily."

" I wish that they could put lights on the trees in the city to create a nicer atmosphere – the way they do in NYC."

" I wish that Dublin could have music playing over a PA system in places."

" I wish there were mentors (trusted adults) for young people to let them air their frustrations."

" I wish there could be a virtual connecting office that would act as a knowledge broker between the different state-run centres for citizens. For example, Citizens’ Information and FAS Employment Offices."

" I wish that there were more positive constructive recreational activities for adolescents. "

" I wish we had a more engaged democratic approach to decision making, like this, both locally and nationally."

" I wish that people would appreciate how amazing Dublin city actually is."

" I wish we had a metro system that looped around the city and across it with trams replacing most of the bus routes."

" I wish for a connector bus for Luas lines, Dart, Busáras & Connolly – why wait for rail?"

" I wish to pedestrianise more of the city centre – dethrone the car."

" I wish Dublin City Council takes the time to study the best city transport technology, for example hybrid bus from Wrightbus instead of the new Luas line to the airport."

" I wish for more colours in the city to brighten and lighten moods and thoughts."

" I wish to put random grey utility boxes under ground, consolidate all the unnecessary signposts/lamp poles with easy to understand information. Make things more friendly for people in wheelchairs or people with buggies, and those who like to walk with friends."

" I wish that all of this had happened a little earlier but am glad it's happening now."

" I wish Dublin had more colour and more seating."

" I wish that it was the government who was interested in asking us what we wished for and not a not for profit organisation."

" I wish that the ground breaking architecture of the 70's was given its context of the brave new world of an emerging state and lauded more, and slagged off less."

" I wish that Dublin was completely accessible for the disabled, with accessible toilets in all buildings."

" I wish that there were more night life venues that were not alcohol centred."

" I wish that Culture Night took place more than once a year and that it was better publicised to schools citywide."

" I wish that College Green was turned into one big public plazza; from Trinity College to the Central Bank."

" I wish that rather than complaining and wishing for change that we ourselves take action and MAKE it happen."

" I wish for a real intervention into the heroine problem in Dublin in order to make our streets safer and more pleasing"

" I wish we had a proper system of outdoor weekend markets â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the north county Dublin farmers selling their fresh local produce at affordable prices - instead of "designer" food markets with overpriced quiches and fudge!!!"

" I wish there were supermarkets selling local, organic, fairtrade produce and environmentally friendly cleaning and beauty products rather than having these items confined to Health Stores and farmers markets."

" I wish that litter louts were made do community work picking up litter. The poster campaigns are good but are they really effective?"

" I wish the expensive metro was scrapped in favour of a spur off the northbound DART line. There is greenfield all the way from the airport to the DART line! Save some money Brian!"

" I wish the city made it easier for independent shops to succeed before the city turns into a Centra/Spar/Gala strip mall."

" I wish Dublin had one great big ostentatious, risky & bold construction that would define the city like the Eiffel Tower or the Sydney Opera House. The lattice man on the Liffey would have been cool."

" I wish that they would educate and involve everyone in the future development of Dublin."

" I wish that there was more skate parks."

" I wish we could create inviting spaces for young people (reverse the 'out of sight out of mind' mentality)."

"I wish there was no racism."

" I wish that Dublin had more places to relax in the city centre where you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to pay."

" I wish that I knew my neighbours better and people shared and looked after each other like they used to."

World Cafés

Following on from the collection of wishes, Design Twentyfirst Century invited Mary Jennings, an experienced facilitator, to design a World Café session around each theme — Water, Waste and Community in the city. The three World Café sessions aimed to answer the following questions…

01 How might you Water / World CafĂŠ

develop a different relationship with water in the city?

Waste / World CafĂŠ

Where does your waste come from and where does it go?

03 How do you realise Community / World CafĂŠ

the potential of open cities?

Finding the hidden potential of place Participants ranged from faculty of universities, city council staff, representatives from related organisations and people from the private sector with an interest in areas such as cities, learning, creativity and sustainability.

Finding the hidden potential of place references our ability to identify and transform waste into opportunity. It is based on learning to see the hidden potential or assets of an area, and learning how to transform the assets into cost-effective opportunities that can enhance people and place.

The outcomes and ideas generated from each World Café session were then presented to the City Manager, John Tierney. Over a series of conversations and a process of evaluation, it was decided that the topic of ‘Waste’ was a perfectly suited topic for the Designing Dublin pilot, especially at a time when there was so much wastage (in every sense) happening in the city. The project title Finding the hidden potential of place was then coined in response to the theme of ‘Waste’.

As a match to Finding the hidden potential of place, Clongriffin, a ghost estate north–east of Dublin City was selected as the project area.

Location â&#x20AC;&#x153; In 1999, in response to an urgent housing need, 490 acres of green fields were rezoned for housing, aiming to create 5 new towns/ suburbs, with Clongriffin the largest and most central of these. The local area plan, produced in 2000, focused on creating an urban model for the area, with emphasis on sustainability delivered through placing public transport, high urban densities and mixed-use developments at itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s core.â&#x20AC;?

Clongriffin is a new suburb located in the North Fringe area of Dublin. 8 km from Dublin City Centre 40 minutes by bus 20 minutes by DART 1.5 km from the coast The area was only partly built, 1318 of the planned 3500 residential units, were constructed. In September 2009, when Designing Dublin began the project, 1000 of these were lived in, but the majority of the built commercial spaces remained vacant and overall the area was very much a ‘ghost town’. This left the area with many missing links; roads, facilities, meeting places, shops, community resources as well as large pockets of hoarded off building site space which left some of the lived in areas remote and isolated. Right in the centre of Clongriffin is Father Collin’s Park, which was opened in mid 2009 and is Ireland’s first fully sustainable park. The park features 5 wind turbines, which generate the electricity that maintains the park and create dramatic impact in the generally flat landscape. The park, with it’s running and cycling tracks, playgrounds, skate-park, amphitheatre, and beautiful green spaces is one of the distinguishing features of the entire North Fringe area. Designing Dublin 1.0 – Finding the hidden potential of place focused primarily on Clongriffin, but touched upon nearby towns and areas also, especially Belmayne, Stapolin, Red Stables and the Coast development, which had similar stories and challenges.

Team In July of 2009 Design Twentyfirst Century held a rigorous application and interview process that challenged people to work collaboratively, think creatively and go outside their comfort zone. 4 interview days 80 applicants 36 candidates 10 evaluators A multidisciplinary team of 17 people were selected to work on Finding the hidden potential of place between September and November of 2009. 9 volunteers 7 staff from Dublin City Council 1 staff from Fingal County Council The team was led by Vannesa Ahuactzin, Creative Director and Deirdre Murphy, Co-ordinator, both of Design Twentyfirst Century.

Collaborators A number of close collaborators worked with the team throughout the project duration. Dr. Ann Torres PhD Marketing, J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics, Vice Dean of Internationalisation, College of Business, Public Policy & Law at NUI Galway. Ann developed a ‘case study’ of Designing Dublin 1.0 — Finding the hidden potential of place and conducted ongoing interviews with the team. KaosPilot team The mission of the KaosPilot school is to create positive social change through personal growth and enterprise. A team of 15 second year students spent a week working with the team in Dublin, on designing and running processes. Paul Natorp & Kristin Birkeland Leaders with the KaosPilot school, Paul and Kristin helped during the recruitment phase and accompanied the KasoPilot team to Dublin as process mentors. Ronan Harrington A director of ARKº — Acts of Random Kindness, Ronan helped during the recruitment phase by interviewing the candidates. He was also a member of the Steering Group during the project. Tobias Lau Tobias is the founder of Social Action based in Copenhagen. The company aims to change people’s behaviour towards the environment. He has a background in ethnography and was part of the second team to join the Institute without Boundaries, the school that worked on the Massive Change project with Bruce Mau in Toronto. Niamh McGrath Niamh was studying a Masters in Community Development at NUI Maynooth and lives in Clongriffin. She joined the project full-time during it’s final month as a work experience placement for her course. Steering Group Throughout the duration of Finding the hidden potential of place the team was mentored by a group of people, including — Jean Byrne and Jim Dunne/Design Twentyfirst Century, John Tierney/City Manager, Michael Stubbs/ Assistant City Manger, Ali Grehan/City Architect, Dick Gleeson/City Planner, Lorna Maxwell/Senior Executive Officer, Celine Reilly/Area Manager, Derek Dixon/Area Engineer, Phyllis Monaghan/Senior Community Officer.

A. Sophie Broadhead Sophie joined the team for some out-of-the-box thinking in the middle of a life changing transition period. Prior to Designing Dublin she had been working in interior design and project management in Spain. Now she is in Ireland re-training to be a jeweller and establishing her own company. B. Susan Butler Having completed a BDes in Fashion Design from NCAD, Susan went straight into a MSc in Multimedia Systems in Trinity College and shortly after joined the project. C. Eilish Beirne Eilish completed a degree in Architecture at DIT, and was working with Henry J. Lyons and Partners Architects when she got the chance to join the project, so she asked for, and was given, leave to become a part of the project team. D. Aileen Meehan Aileen joined the project from the Roads and Traffic Department in Dublin City Council where she works as an accountant having originally received a BA in accountancy from IPA. E. Deirdre Ni Raghallaigh A Senior Executive Officer with Dublin City Council Deirdre has worked successively as librarian, business information specialist, City Council press officer, webmaster, corporate communications manager, and in area management in the inner city. F. Rachel Murphy Having worked in design for many years Rachel returned to college and received a degree in Landscape Architecture shortly before joining Dublin City Council Parks Department. She is an avid photographer and has submitted images as well as articles to the Official Journal of the Irish Landscape Institute. G. Deirdre Murphy Deirdre originally studied International Business and Politics, before going on to receive an MA in International Marketing from DCU. Prior to joining the team she was working as the Marketing and Press Manager in Ireland for Habitat. H. Brian Gough Brian has had an extensive career working as a graphic designer before going to Bath Spa University where he completed an MA in Brand Development shortly before joining the team. I. Luke Gleeson Luke is currently a student of DIT Architecture. He took a year out of college to gain professional experience when he joined the team. J. Sarah Scannell Sarah completed a degree in Law from Griffith College and works for Dublin City Council. She joined the project from the Environment and Engineering Department where she worked as an Acting Assistant Staff Officer.

K. Eimear Fitzsimons Eimear pursued a BSc in Product Design, followed by an MA in Professional Design Practice, both in DIT, which she completed just as the project began. L. Emmanuelle Marion An entrepreneur with a particular interest in sustainability, Emmanuelle runs her own business Eco Creations, which specialises in designing Fairtrade and eco-friendly fabrics and products. M. Celine O’Rourke Celine joined the project from Fingal County Council where she worked as an architect in the social housing area. She initially trained as an Architectural Technician, receiving a BSc from Bolton Street, before returning to study and completing a BSc in Architecture from DIT and Trinity. Previously she spent many years working for Aer Lingus as Senior Cabin Crew. N. Jim Doyle Jim joined the project as an Area Arts Officer with DCC. Having originally studied fine art both in Cork and London, he went on to the Potsdam University of Applied Science were he studied Arts Management, and was also awarded a masters from the CERC, Cultural Studies and Resources Centre, Barcelona. He has extensive experience working in the arts, both in Dublin and London. O. Jeremy Wales Jeremy is an Architect with a Masters degree in Urban Design. He joined the project from the City Architects Department, Dublin City Council, having worked and studied for 6 years abroad in London, Paris, Berlin and Sydney. P. Peter Leonard Peter received a BA in Landscape Architecture from Kingston University, London and went on to earn an MA in Landscape Architecture from UCD. He spent a number of years as a landscape architect working with Urban Ballyfermot before joining the Parks Department of Dublin City Council. Q. Ken Sweeney Ken trained as a Mechanical Engineer and has worked extensively in this area as a production equipment designer and in production support. He has also worked as a carpenter and a programmer. Ken has a particular interest in alternative energies. R. Marcos Dias Having trained and worked as an Architect in his native Brazil, Marcos returned to college in Trinity where he was awarded an MSc in Interactive Digital Media. Just before the completion of Designing Dublin he moved to Melbourne to pursue a PhD in the Media and Communications program.

Brief The team was given a theme rather than a brief Finding the hidden potential of place. The intention was to run the project using an open design process that does not assume what a place like Clongriffin needs but rather defines the brief and therefore the needs as the project develops. As a starting point, the term 'wastages' related to the alchemy of elements based in society and place.

Finding the hidden potential of place created a wide and broad scope for the team. It helped them to see Clongriffin with a mindset of transforming 'wastages' into opportunity and real solutions. By approaching the project in this way Designing Dublin hoped to engage the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s curiosity on three key themes: Place Understanding the context People Understanding the residents needs Potential Understanding potential projects and solutions The project intended that this way of working would lead to 2 broad outcomes: A.â&#x20AC;&#x201A; That people based in Clongriffin would become involved with the Designing Dublin team, in discovering, imagining and creating potential projects. B. That the projects would trial their success through the construction of prototypes that could be tested with the people of Clongriffin.

Activities & structure Over the course of the twelve weeks the team followed a project path that involved research, ideation, project identification and prototyping with the residents of Clongriffin. The project, Finding the hidden potential of place, was structured around a series of weekly activities, each of which encouraged experimentation, and invited participants to learn and improve their skills.

Week 1 Conversations & investigation September 7 to 11, 2009

Week 2 1700 ideas September 14 to 18, 2009

Deep dive to understand the project theme and working area.

Research, define and present 1700 ideas.

Summary The team began by exploring all that is Clongriffin, reading reports and other relevant information, walking and investigating the area, photographing and recording, questioning and following their curiosities. They talked to those who created, influenced and cared for the area, the planners and architects, the community development workers, the private and public managers. They met the people who use the area, those who live, work and play there and also recorded their experiences, thoughts, feelings and ideas. Visitors & conversations ›› Dick Gleeson/City Planner and Naoise McDonnell/Area Planner ›› Phyllis Monaghan/Senior Community Officer and Catherine Brophy/ Community Officer ››Celine Reilly/Area Manager ›› Primary school principals, Assumpta Kerins and Sinéad O Meara ›› Michael Crowe/Architect, Gannon Homes ›› Paul Mooney/Irish Estates Management ›› Anne McNeill/Chemist and other local business owners

Deliverables Questions for… ›› Working in pairs we prepared questions for the interviews. ›› Individually we documented the things we found intriguing, interesting and relevant for our future work in Clongriffin from what we heard and experienced. Many of us created diagrams re presenting the things we had learned.

Summary With the impressions of the deep dive lingering, the team searched the world for 1700 inspirational ideas. They challenged themselves to go beyond the familiar and explore new possibilities. They filled the studio with the ideas and were amazed by the diversity, breath, and richness of the 1700 ideas. The team began the collaboration with the KaosPilots through an introductory Skype call and created a Clongriffin information pack to send to them in advance of their arrival. As a team they came together to compose 9 key catalyst questions for the coming weeks that they wished to explore with the residents of Clongriffin.

Visitors & conversations ›› KaosPilot Skype call ›› David O’Connor/County Manager, Fingal County Council Deliverables 100 Ideas ›› Each team member created a presentation document detailing 100 ideas that they thought were interesting and relevant for the project. Questions and information for KaosPilots ›› The team put together a factsheet and summary of Clongriffin as well as a set of questions to frame the upcoming processes, which they sent to the KaosPilots in advance of their visit Expectations from the KaosPilots ›› Each team member wrote their personal expectations (in relation to the Designing Dublin/KaosPilot relationship) for the KaosPilot team, which were emailed in advance of their arrival to Dublin.

Week 3 9 processes September 21 to 25, 2009 Design, management and running of 9 engagement processes with the KaosPilots and local residents Summary The KaosPilots arrived at the beginning of the week having already created process concepts, which they presented to the Designing Dublin team. Working in small

mixed groups they developed and refined the concepts, with the KaosPilots sharing their skills and methods, and Designing Dublin bringing context awareness. Together both teams developed 9 final processes that enabled the people of Clongriffin to think about the potential of their surroundings. Each process targeted different groups, some were on-street catching passersby, while others invited guests along to an activity such as walking the area, or visiting a gallery that showed the school children’s dreams for the area. Each process was designed in the best possible way to generate meaningful experiences for participants and enable the team to hear the voices of everyone in Clongriffin. The team spent the end of the week capturing the findings from the processes, and began to highlight interesting insights. 9 Processes 01 C longriffin was? Clongriffin is? Clongriffin will be? The residents and community staff in the area came together to explore the kind of future they wish for. By writing and sharing postcards from an imagined future, people painted a clear picture of their dreams and aspirations for Clongriffin. 02 How do we increase the vibrancy of experiences and encounters? This team created a pop-up on street living room. With this platform they engaged passersby and understood what ‘things’ in the area make people smile.

03 H ow do we open up and connect Clongriffin? This team ran the same process with school children from both the Educate Together and St Francis of Assisi schools. They asked both school groups to illustrate how open and connected the area currently is, and then invited them to imagine how they could improve these connections with new and real ideas. 04 How do we reinvent spaces into places? Working with school children, this team printed large scale images of parts of Clongriffin and asked the kids to draw in the types of things they would like to see there. Later in the day their parents were invited to visit the artwork in a pop up museum and input into the ideas too.

Community development staff ››Ruairi O'Cuiv/DCC Public Art Manager ››Celine Reilly/Area Manager ››Lisa Wang/local business woman ››Seoidin O’Sullivan/Artist ››Jean Byrne/Design Twentyfirst Century

Future dream stories ›› To help us imagine concrete ideas for Clongriffin we individually wrote future visioning documents for the area.

Deliverables Process preparation & development ›› Along with the KaosPilot students the team prepared and ran processes and outlined them in a series of documents. 05 How do we enable expression/talents/ experiences/activities/beauty/love/joy? The team created a giant newspaper, which they brought to the local park. People were free to read the stories, write their own headlines, draw their ideas, create petitions, or engage with it in any way they wished.

Process outcomes ›› In groups, along with the KaosPilot students, the team produced a report outlining what they had done during each process, the outcomes that arose, the insights collected, and the learning’s from the experience.

Creation of concepts and ideas for possible projects.

06 H ow can we facilitate cross-cultural exchanges? The team created a process to ignite dialogue about cross-cultural exchange in the area and to understand what blocks and fosters it. They invited a group of locals from Gardai to the Area Manager to explore ways in which greater exchange could happen in the area. 07 H ow can Clongriffin invent and utilise new economic opportunities? The team brought local business people and workers, as well as entrepreneurs, together and asked them to share business related success stories they found inspiring. Through the exploration of these stories they came to develop ideas and ways in which Clongriffin could be transformed through entrepreneurship. 08 How do we turn the passion that is in disputes into passion for the future? This team asked process participants to consider conflicts from 3 separate points of view and through this get to understand how people’s energy in the area can also help to create a positive impact, understand other’s opinions in disputes and work together to form a common purpose. 09 How do we help people understand the potential of the surrounding environment? The team brought a group of ‘experts’ interested in transforming local public space and took them on a walking tour of the area. At each stop they asked them to imagine and record ideas they might have for changing the area so that more people can enjoy it. They mapped and drew all of these ideas together as a way to close the process. Visitors & conversations ››KaosPilots – 15 students and 2 leaders Visitors to the processes included : ››Derek Dixon/Area Engineer ››Community Garda ››Local business people ››Local residents ››Local children

Week 5 Project creation October 5 to 9, 2009

Summary The team split into 6 groups, defined 6 future visions and turned them into 18 ideas, each addressing different needs that they’d heard from the people in Clongriffin. The team aimed to bring each project to a stage that was solid enough to be tangible, but fluid enough that it could change and grow. The team worked in an iterative way, constantly presenting projects back to the full group and allowing feedback to influence and shape them.

Week 4 Project opportunities September 28 to October 2, 2009 Review, understand and identify opportunities related to the needs/wants/ wishes captured during the 9 processes. Summary The team gathered, presented and analysed everything they heard from the processes to find meaningful insights. Tobias Lau, with experience in ethnography and social change projects, worked with the team to transform these insights into ideas. The team learnt how to dream big, but still stay grounded in the reality of people’s lives and hopes in Clongriffin.

Visitors & conversations ›› Ronan Harrington of ARK gave the team an inspiring talk about how kindness can change the world, and afterwards surprised the team by arranging a free massage to help everyone relax. Deliverables Presenting ideas ›› Each group created presentations around the 18 general concepts for Clongriffin.

Additionally, they spent a day participating in an urban design workshop with staff of Dublin City Council, which was run by Metropolitan Architects, London. Visitors & conversations ›› Metropolitan Architects, and DCC staff including Eoghan Madden/Senior Engineer, Traffic Planning, Dick Gleeson/ City Planner and Ali Grehan/ City Architect ››Tobias Lau/Social Action, Copenhagen ›› KaosPilot Skype closure call and reflection session ››Clongriffin Forum Meeting Deliverables Ideas and insights ›› In our original process groups we generated quick ideas for Clongriffin based on what we’d heard.

Week 6 Project sharing October 12 to 16, 2009 Creation of a living exhibition space that allowed people to understand, interact with and shape the 18 ideas. Summary The team’s work was made public for the first time as part of the Innovation Dublin festival. They also held their first presentation and feedback session with the Steering Group. The team created a living exhibition space and invited people to see, learn, and experience the ideas and

feed their thoughts back into them. The team also held three different events as part of Innovation Dublin:

01 Protostorming – which invited visitors to build on projects with us via quick model making prototypes. 02 Show and Tells – where visitors could explore the different concepts on show 03 Poster machine – which asked people to model their vision of a better city experience Visitors & conversations ››Justin Purcell/Enterprise Co-Ordinator. Justin gave a presentation on setting up businesses and potential business models. During the Innovation Dublin events we had close to 150 visitors. Many of the visitors gave several hours of their time to the team to explore project possibilities.

18 Concepts/Ideas 01 Play Space – creating children’s play areas ad-hoc in empty spaces. 02 Grow Space – from guerrilla gardening, flower bombs to allotments, things which people could develop on their own and which would foster a physical transformation in the area. 03 Art Space – creating temporary art installations that could transform the empty wasteland and blank hoarding. 04 Grow Local – clustering creative enterprise to transform Clongriffin through entrepreneurship. 05 Grow Social – accelerating rich social interactions in the area. 06 Community Hothouse – engaging locals in creating their own community facilities. 07 Interactive Website – transform the current residents website into something more engaging and interactive. 08 Interactive Digital Expression – create a digital display that brings the website content into the real world. 09 Engage in the Streets – using the digital tools to make the streets more active, full of people using them and interacting.

Deliverables Innovation Week presentations ›› The team created ‘project boards/areas’ where they displayed all of the work that they had created in the previous weeks. The boards/areas acted as an interactive platform to start conversations with visitors.

Week 7 Narrowing projects October 19 to 23, 2009 Transforming concepts into projects.

Summary The team adapted and refined their projects with the feedback gained during Innovation Dublin. Projects were reviewed, some were changed significantly, while others were able to continue growing. Preparations also began for re-engaging with Clongriffin and getting the people of the area involved with the projects. On the Friday of this week the team members swapped projects to give each other new perspectives and energy.

10 Children as Teachers – enabling local children to research their own vision for Clongriffin and teach adults about the possibilities. 11 Create Movement – bringing the youth of the area together to imagine the change they want to make happen. 12 Knowledge and Skill Cross Contamination – create opportunities for people to come together and share through an interests/experience fair. 13 Can you imagine a trail to the coast? – inviting people to create a walk and trail to the nearby coast line. 14 Can you imagine enhanced neighbourhood links? – bridging the physical divides that make it difficult to visit nearby towns and areas. 15 Can you imagine a connection from the schools to the Town Centre? – making it easier to walk from the Marrsfield apartments and local school to the centre of the town. 16 Promise – making it easy and inviting for people in the area to get involved with initiatives and projects. 17 Experience – bringing fun, a personal touch and relevance in all the projects to the community. 18 Impression – beginning relationships with the people in the area, generating excitement about the other projects happening.

Visitors & conversations ›› Ré Dubhthaigh/Radarstation The team heard a presentation from Ré on service design and the work his company is doing around using design methods to improve public services. ›› Declan Hayden/DCC Integration Officer The team heard about the challenges of social inclusion and community development and the importance of including everyone in a community. Deliverables Continued project work and development

Week 8 Narrowing projects October 26 to 30, 2009 Testing the concepts with the people of the area.

Summary The team worked on making the concepts/ideas more tangible. Some teams conducted extra research, such as exploring the empty building lands, while others formed new connections. The team learnt that DIT were hoping to have a class of Architectural Technicians, in conjunction with practising architects, create designs for a community building in Clongriffin. The team working on the idea about growing social connections through the creation of a shared community space, met with the DIT group and agreed to collaborate on the project. This team held an evening meeting to understand if the residents were interested in collaborating with DIT. The team tested their concepts/ideas with the people of Clongriffin. They used 2 vacant units in the area and displayed their 18 concepts/ideas. Everyone connected with Clongriffin, from area managers, local community staff and residents were invited to visit the units and give feedback. To engage with as many people as possible the team tried many different communication methods, from the traditional to the unusual and place specific. They created Designing Dublin chocolate bars, with their contact details and handed them out on the buses and outside Centra. They also postered the area and spread word via the residents online bulletin board. With the help and input of the residents, the team were able to identify the favourites concepts / ideas and local champions.

Visitors & conversations ›› Sima Rouholamin, Architectural Technology Lecturer met with the Designing Dublin team members who were working on the Clongriffin Community space. They investigated a potential collaboration between the two organisations.

Visitors & conversations ›› The project was joined by Niamh, a Clongriffin resident who was studying Community Development at NUI Maynooth and wanted to get involved in her own area as a means to complete her work experience component of her course.

Deliverables Open House ›› The team created a series of presentations to showcase the potential concepts/ideas to Clongriffin residents. ›› Documentation for Developer The team created presentations and documents outlining the concepts/ideas and needs for the Council and Gannon Development.

Week 9 18 concepts to 5 projects November 2 to 6, 2009 The 18 concepts were narrowed to 5 projects that would have the most impact and resonance with the people of Clongriffin.

they created and documented. Some groups also wrote letters to Developers and Council officials trying to get backing for the projects.

Week 11 Developing 5 projects November 16 to 20, 2009 The team developed the prototypes further, creating new iterations and involving local champions.

Deliverables Project capture document ›› Each team member created a document that detailed the steps that had lead to and influenced the 5 projects, including the things they’d heard, project questions, sub-projects and the goals and hopes for the project future.

Summary The team continued to prototype and find more project champions. Building on the previous week’s experiences the teams launched a digital communication screen, a cardboard office and asset map, a group walk and plant morning, a Speed Management workshop and developed enticing ways to invite people to the events /workshops.

Week 10 Broadcasting 5 projects November 9 to 13, 2009 The team drilled into the 5 projects via small prototypes, street engagements, design sessions, and events.

Summary The team passed the 18 concepts through a rigorous assessment based on criteria of feasibility, scale, local buy-in and impact potential. The results highlighted 5 diverse projects that were ambitious in thinking and grounded in the needs of the people of Clongriffin. With the projects decided the team set about designing prototypes that would enable them to iteratively test their robustness, necessity and to get local residents interested and involved in their development. The team also had a visit from the Steering Group who gave them helpful thoughts and advice on pushing the projects forward. The groups working on the 5 projects were changed around to bring different energy, skills and viewpoints to them.

Summary The team conducted iteration one of their prototypes around the Clongriffin area. These ranged from a Speed Architecture evening, to creating communication portals on the hoarding, or building a cardboard office setup to open local imagination and generate interest. The prototyping process aimed to make the projects public, test them out with people, open them up to change and growth and inspire the people living in the area to become project champions. Visitors & conversations ›› Frank McDonald, journalist with the Irish Times visited the studio and interviewed each project group about their work that went towards an article about Designing Dublin and the project in Clongriffin. ›› South Central Area meeting Deliverables Design possibility documentation ›› The teams created and recorded various design details and noted project opportunities and contact information of possible champions. 5 Projects graphics, presentations and process plans ›› Each project created graphics, invites, posters, or flyers to engage with people in the area. Many of the teams ran processes and gave presentations that

Visitors & conversations ›› Andrew McNeill who is the Minister of St. Catherine’s Church Thomas Street joined us over lunch and shared his experiences with us of building community and encouraging people to get involved with projects. ›› Alan Mee presented his city research which focuses on empty buildings and halted construction. Deliverables 5 Projects graphics, presentations, and process plans ›› Each project team created graphics, invites, posters, or flyers to engage with people in the area. Many of the teams ran processes and gave presentations that they created and documented.

Week 12 One-day celebration November 23 to 27, 2009 The team created the final prototype iterations, and made them public in a one–day celebration. Summary On the final week, the team completed their work, before eventually handing the projects over to the people of Clongriffin. Each of the 5 prototypes culminated in a showcase and celebration. In one day the Designing Dublin team and Clongriffin

champions refurbished a vacant unit into a community hub, launched 3 beta interactive notice boards, created an exhibition of children’s future visions, walked and designed a trail to the coast and gathered local business energy at a business breakfast. Having found the hidden potential of place, the Designing Dublin team trustingly handed over the projects to local champions to bring forward into the future. Deliverables Final documents ›› Each team created a final report detailing the development stages of their project, including the outcomes of the prototype day, and the future ambitions for the project. Final presentations ›› Each team created a final presentation that showed visually how the project had come about and what had been achieved.

Prototypes Celebration

Designing Dublin invites yo to join us for a day of celeb GROW LOCAL Can we amass our knowledge, skills and resources to build local economy? Business BReAkfAst Suite 60, Main Street, beside Centra Saturday, Nov. 28th – 11 am to 1 pm

HOtHOuse Can we design, build and run a community hothouse? 60 Minute MAkeOveR Suite 60, Main Street, beside Centra Saturday, Nov. 28th – 2 pm to 4 pm

COMMuniCAtiOn eXCHAnGe Can we share local information on events, happenings, meetings, services, opinions, opportunities and culture in an exciting, easy and stimulating way? Bus stOP tAkeAWAY tHe LiGHt BOX (around town) inteRACtive stReet sCReen Inside bus stop and by Main Street, beside post box Saturday, Nov. 28th – 11 am to 1 pm

ou bration! COAst PAtH Can we cluster people’s energy and imagination to create a path of possibilities to the coast? DesiGn PAtH

Marrsfield Suite Saturday, Nov. 28th – 12 pm to 4 pm

PLAYvisiOn PROJeCt How can we draw upon children’s creativity to inspire us to imagine what life in Clongriffin might be? sCALinG uP! Main Street, beside post box Saturday, Nov. 28th – 9 am to 2 pm

iMAGinAtiOn CeLeBRAtiOn Main Street, beside post box Saturday, Nov. 28th – 6 pm to 9 pm

01 Path to the Coast

Project inspiration

Project stages

We saw/learnt ›› It’s difficult getting in and around Clongriffin, on foot, in a car or on a bike. ›› There are many things which block flow and movement in the area – empty wasteland, blocked roads, railway lines. ›› In the areas surrounding Clongriffin there are many beautiful and natural spaces that people are not able to easily access, but still do. ›› Clongriffin is very close to the sea, but it is very difficult to get to on foot or by car.

A. The possibility of developing a project that created

We heard ›› A desire for more access to ‘wild’ nature. While people loved Father Collins Park, they also wished to be able to get into the fields and wetlands nearby. The school principals in particular wanted to be able to bring children into more natural areas. ›› A large wetland park was near completion just across the railway line that would go right down to the sea. ›› People’s desire to easily, and pleasantly get to the coast by walking or cycling. ›› A lot of people in the area don’t talk to each other, or to people in the neighbouring towns. ›› People wanted to be able to get from Clongriffin to the surrounding areas with more ease. They wished that walking between areas was more pleasant, and that they could drive less for local journeys, for example to the school.

Project ambition ›› 'Path to the Coast' aimed to inspire and empower local people to better their area by creating new connecting paths that would enable them to access nature, each other and their town in an easier manner.

physical connections around the area emerged early on in our conversations with the residents. The need for connectivity was also based on the evidence from the site study that we conducted. B. As we heard from more people in the area the idea grew to become one of connecting and empowering local people to make these routes themselves, in response to understanding the need for social as well as physical connections. C. The team heard that there was a bridge by the Mayne River, through which it was possible to get under the railway tracks, and access the wetlands park and coast. A couple of team members explored this route and came back with video footage that showed the beauty of the path, as well as the relatively short distance which needed changing to make the path easily walkable. Other team members explored the wasteland areas and potential access routes, which could become the needed connections in the area. D. At this stage the team considered 3 potential connections : 01 From the school to the town centre, via Marrsfield 02 An opening near the planned DART station to make accessing the coast quicker 03 A 350m pedestrian path to the coast through the railway arch and via the wetlands park ›› When they narrowed the projects down from 18 to 5 the team agreed that the path to the coast via the railway arches could have the most impact for the people of the area, and it responded best to the needs they had heard. It was also one of the projects that local champions had early on responded to and were particularly interested in. ›› The team raised awareness of the potential route locally through posters and the distribution of daffodil bulbs. They held a Saturday walk, during which they invited interested locals to join them for planting the daffodils at the end of the current path, and mark the proposed route with flags. The walk aimed to show the possibilities of the path, and give people a sense that they could be responsible for changing their landscape. ›› While working with people of the area the team also engaged with the developer and especially Derek Dixon the Area Engineer who tried to help with permissions, costing and understanding the technical and practical hurdles facing the project.

Prototype As their final prototype the Designing Dublin team invited local residents, as well as people from the connecting areas to walk the route and explore itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s potential. When they saw the natural assets, possibilities and small-scale work needed to create the path and connection, a core group of community champions, who met and connected on the walks, took on the task and made it their own. The final walk with the residents included a design workshop, which invited people to give their ideas and thoughts on how they would like the path to be created.

Project future The project champions for 'Path to the Coast' quickly and enthusiastically took ownership of the project. With the Designing Dublin team as a helpful bystander and friend, they made grant applications, asked the landowner and developer for support, researched rights of way, talked to the relevant sections in Council Area Offices, and created plans for clearing rubbish, creating allotments and planting along the route. They continued to walk the route regularly. Most recently they held a table quiz to raise money for plants and tools, held a Saturday walk and work sessions and are pitching the project to the DCC LAP planners. While the champions have yet to make progress on the actual path, they have begun clearing rubbish away and making the surrounding space safer. As a team they have attracted new champions from the area and involved them in the project.

02 PlayVision

Project inspiration

Project ambition

We saw/learnt ›› There are many ‘dead spaces’ along Clongriffin’s main street. ›› There are very few things going on in the area, there is very little celebration/expression among local residents. ›› There are many young children in the local schools, yet their vibrancy and energy doesn’t translate into the rest of the area. ›› There is a lot of history and culture associated with the area. ›› Clongriffin is very similar to other new developments and has very few distinct or distinguishing features.

'PlayVision' aimed to define a vision for the future of Clongriffin by tapping into the imagination of local children.

We heard ›› Many people don’t feel a sense of connection to Clongriffin, and have no vision for their future there. ›› The local children are already building their sense of identity of place through a local legend of a water creature that lives in the lake. ›› It’s hard to meet new people as there is no space for chatting. ›› That it would be nice to create something interesting in the vacant shop spaces. ›› Clongriffin is a place where ‘nothing happens’ and locals would like it if stuff did.

Project stages

Prototype

A. ' PlayVision' developed out of the processes run with the KaosPilots, especially those that engaged with the school children, as well as processes that invited people to imagine how vacant spaces could be used.

The Designing Dublin team brought children from both of the local schools on a time-travelling bus tour of the area. At various stops along the route, actors representing a period in history and a local legend appeared to tell their story. For example a ‘Viking’ told about how they first landed in the nearby river. Back at the school the children created pictures and models based on the stories they heard from the ‘actors’ they met along their bus tour. The following weekend the children, their parents and any interested locals were invited to scale-up or build the children’s drawings/ models. These models were then displayed as part of an exhibition held in one of the vacant retail units.

B. 'PlayVision' merged aspects of many different ideas that were voiced/heard along the three months of Finding the hidden potential of place. Three of those were – Play Space, Art Space and Grow Space, which generally focused on creating urban interventions that people could experience and engage with. Additionally 'PlayVision' was formed from the ideas related to identity that highlighted the role that children could have in imagining the future for Clongriffin. Using the ideas mentioned in point B as inspiration C. and a base the team created many possible projects and prototypes from guerrilla gardening, to expression bombs, to having children teach their parents about the history of the area. D. Armed with some good feedback from the Steering Group, the project team started to think about the longevity of the project, rather than the creation of small and temporary interventions.

Project future The final prototype day in Clongriffin ended with an evening celebration for the team, local champions and passersby to come together and celebrate what had been achieved. The models remained in the retail unit for 3 months, creating a visual reminder of the potential future that the area could have.

E. The team designed a process that would help the children to learn about the culture and history of the area. The big project idea was to have the people of the area visualise their future through the eyes of the children, which would inspire them to take action in creating this future. As a short term goal the prototype had the intention to spark discourse around a sense of place and create a positive visual disruption in the area.

03 Community Hothouse

Project inspiration

Project ambition

We saw/learnt ›› There are no places for people in the area to meet, no coffee shop, bar, or community space. ›› There are groups looking for places to meet, in particular a mother & baby/toddler group want a space where they can get together on a weekly basis. ›› The main street of Clongriffin is very quiet with little going on, and few visible signs of community activity. ›› There are many empty spaces, land and premises that could be ideal temporary venues for a community space.

'Community Hothouse' aimed to accelerate social interaction and the development of networks by bringing local people together to create their own community space.

We heard ›› “ There is nowhere to meet, and new groups have nowhere to meet.” ›› “The proposed leisure centre has been delayed.” ›› “How can I get to know my neighbours?” ›› “There is no school hall and we need this facility.” ››“We have lots of skills and talents.”

Project stages A. ' Community Hothouse' began with the ambition to accelerate rich social interactions and get community engagement in delivering community facilities. The project team started with a giant dream, that the people of the area could design and build their own community space on one of the empty sites.

F. One of the challenges associated with running community buildings relates to the cost of managing them. As a way to explore potential solutions the team proposed, as a prototype, that the community could refurbish and run a vacant unit in the area for a year to work through potential issues and see if there was a real need in the area for such a space.

B. Early on in the project development stage, Designing Dublin was approached by the team developing the DIT Architectural Technicians course, who were working on a brief for their fourth year students. DIT intended to partner with 4 architectural practices and create designs for a community space. Clongriffin seemed like a perfect match for the DIT project. In response the 'Community Hothouse' team held an early meeting in Clongriffin to see if residents were interested in collaborating with DIT, which resulted in a resounding ‘yes’, and so the relationship with DIT, and in particular Sima Rouholamin began.

G. The team held another design evening with locals, this time focusing on ‘Management Made Easy’, which resulted in the community creating ideas and solutions to key issues such as keys, utilities and co-ordination. By the end of the evening 5 champions had agreed to form a management committee for the space.

C. The 'Community Hothouse' team aimed to get the community and architects working together to design the potential building. They held a Speed Architecture evening that asked participants to discover the most important aspects for the building in terms of ‘Dream Building’, ‘Look & Feel’, ‘Activities & Stuff’, and ‘Building Care’. The evening was a huge success in hearing from the collective wishes of the people living in Clongriffin.

I. As a final engagement piece the team wrote giant letters on the walls by the gates where the potential building could go as a way of provoking people’s imagination.

D. The team got approval of funding for a temporary structure from Dublin City Council as well as permission from the developer to use Suite 60, a currently vacant unit, as a ‘test’ community space. E. To raise awareness of the project and engage people, the 'Community Hothouse' team created an interactive post-it wall on the hoarding, of the same Speed Architecture questions to get more local people involved in both designing the potential space, but also to find more champions for the project going forward.

H. To get the Architectural Technician students involved the team ran another Speed Architecture process to get them thinking about the possible designs as well as helping them to understand the wishes from the community.

Prototype The local champions, along with the 'Community Hothouse' team designed a space that matched the needs of local people for a space to meet, learn, talk, and congregate. They planned how activities would happen, what the space would require and how locals could run and maintain it. As a prototype they refurbished and launched a beta space, which would operate as a test for the level of usage interest, the robustness of management structures and to identify if a larger, community built space was a feasible concept. As a prototype it was particularly successful in many ways: ›› Through the Speed Architecture and management evenings, residents had a chance to gradually build up engagement with the project, they built up a solid base before having to take ownership of it. ›› The prototype was designed to run for a full year, which gave it time to become real, and grow or fail, not based on time but on need and commitment. ›› The project had many possible next steps following on from the prototype that would allow the local champions to grow, maintain or end it depending on the success/failure of the project. ›› The team successfully found project champions quickly who played a huge role in all parts of the project design and prototype. This meant the project was owned very early on by the community rather than by the Designing Dublin team.

Project future Within 6 months the ‘beta’ space was being used for 6-8 activities a week and continues a year later again to be managed by a group of local people.

04 Communication Exchange Project inspiration

Project ambition

We saw/learnt ›› That people have never heard of Clongriffin, and don’t know where it is. ›› That the main means of contact between people in the area is via a web forum, which not everyone can access. ›› That there are no signs, notice boards or other means to make information public around the area.

'Communication Exchange' aimed to create increased conversations and interactions between the residents of Clongriffin by making information and opinion sharing easier.

We heard ›› People in the area don’t often stop and talk to each other, and have the chance to exchange information, or even just chat. ›› That there’s nowhere to go and nothing to do. ›› ' We don’t know our neighbours and there are no ways to get to know people'.

Project stages

Prototype

A. This project is based on the idea that it should be easy for local people to connect with each other and get information about their area. B. This project was greatly inspired by one of the processes that we ran during Week 3 with the KaosPilots. The ‘Clongriffiner’, a pop up, large-scale newspaper, asked passersby to share their thoughts and information about the area. It’s success showed the team that there was a huge need in the area for increased communication and exchange. C. Initially the concept was made-up of three key themes : 01 Reclaiming the streets 02 Creating a platform for self-expression 03 Developing an interactive digital connecting space. Using digital media was a key focus at this stage since the people in the area seemed particularly internet savy.

Based on the feedback and what we’d learned from the early prototypes, the team designed 2 prototypes to reach, connect and hear from local people.

D. The team tried many small ideas quickly, including having a text information service, creating an informative web space, and holding a video booth to get people’s feedback. From these interactions they got great feedback on the ideas, and learned that, in fact, many people in the area are not online, or use the internet for discovering local information. E. The team went onto explore more public, on–street, ways of creating communication with a greater emphasis on interaction and exchange. F. The project team used the hoarding as a tool to spread the word about the project. They spent a couple of days creating large chalk notice boards on the hoarding inviting comments, asking questions and prompting interaction. These were quite successful as a first prototype with people using the chalk to reply, draw pictures and express themselves.

›› The project failed to find local champions who wanted to continue and grow the prototypes. ›› The prototypes, while successful at the time in engaging with people, needed to be constantly cared for to keep the content lively and relevant, and the commitment needed was immediate and large.

01 Large-scale leaflet/poster display and exchange boards were placed at busy transport hubs to create an information portal. 02 An interactive digital notice board was trialed in the 'Community Hothouse' space, which allowed passersby to select the content they wanted to see, as well as upload their own.

Project future The actual prototypes worked well, however the project ended after the prototypes were taken down because of a few key factors :

05 Grow Local

Project inspiration

Project ambition

We saw/learnt ›› Clongriffin is one of 5 similar new towns that are close together, but the people in these areas don’t visit the others, or mix together. ›› There were many empty retail units. ›› Many of the people living in the area are highly skilled. ›› The main street was very quiet and needed more footfall. ›› People tended to stay inside their own homes and often didn’t even know their neighbours names.

The aim of 'Grow Local' was to connect and grow local business through the creation of a community run, shared workspace that would encourage exchange within the area.

We heard ››“How can we fill the empty units?” ››“We want the recession to be over.” ›› “We want our promises to be fulfilled.” ››“We have lots of skills and talents.” ›› “ We work from home, but often have to use conference rooms and office facilities outside the area.” ›› “What support do local entrepreneurs need?”

Project stages

Prototype

A. The team began by investigating how to support local entrepreneurs, and how to cluster selfemployed people who wanted to work in the town. Their aim was to create a model of new suburban enterprise.

As a way to test their ideas, the team created a cardboard office prototype space and a physical notice board style asset map. They took over an empty retail unit on the main street of Clongriffin and created a drop-in space where people could see, visit and interact with the idea. This prototype was particularly successful in 3 ways:

B. The next step was two-fold: The first was to create an asset map of the area that would become a local skills share portal. The second was to establish a co-working space for local business people. C. The team approached enterprise experts such as the DCEB and Kendlebell, a virtual office provider, to get help and advice. They also researched local and international business models to learn from their expertise. D. The team worked with local residents to understand and design 'Grow Local'. They initiated a series of business breakfasts to meet, connect and find champions. As a way to get people engaged they dropped leaflets into homes and spread the word online. E. Through the business breakfast they found local business people, many of who worked from home, who were interested in creating the ‘enterprise hub’ so they worked with them to design and plan how this could happen. With the champions they began taking steps, such as contacting local developers about possible spaces.

01 It raised awareness of the project. The team learnt that the idea generated a buzz around the area. 02 The creation of something that was real and tangible, but still rough and impermanent was an ideal platform for interacting with people and gaining feedback around the 'Grow Local' idea. It let people imagine the outcomes that a shared working space and skills network could have for those involved as well as the wider community. The unfinished nature of the space gave people room to make suggestions, ask questions, and become a part of designing the next stages. 03 By creating a fixed drop-in space, the team were able to meet many people from the area in an informal setting.

Project future 'Grow Local' is one of the projects which continues to grow and develop post the completion of Designing Dublin 1.0. The group continues to meet and is in the process of establishing a working/meeting space.

Insights/ Learnings ›› H ealth and Safety is a hurdle that can stop good things from happening. On the 'Path to the Coast' project people were willing and able to work to improve the area, but health and safety requirements, as well as public liability insurance issues prevented quick prototypes from happening. ›› It’s best to design for many possible solutions and test them to see what works best rather than assuming that something tried elsewhere or before will be the best solution. ›› People in the city really want to be a part of making the places where they live better, and the city needs to find ways to harness and use this energy. ›› Working in an open, public and collaborative way is good for maintaining good communication between teams and having many people influence the development of the work. ›› Doing projects with a tight deadline is good for creating impetus and getting the community to commit to the process. When something is time sensitive, people have no choice but to get involved rather than imagine they’ll do it at a later stage. ›› There are benefits and opportunities in bringing projects to the community while they are still soft and changeable, and allowing them to be shaped by the community. ›› Although Clongriffin was halfbuilt, no one from the planners to architects or developers had gone to the people now living there and asked for their feedback on the area. Without clear feedback and learnings, newer areas will make the same mistakes.

›› S trict hierarchies can prevent really great people with really great ideas from speaking up and creating positive change. One person’s idea is just as important as another’s regardless of their grade/ qualification. ›› The most important thing in design is listening to the end user and understanding what they want and need. Listening to and learning from the community/user is essential through all stages of a project. ›› Working in a group with a facilitator rather than an embedded hierarchy can be hugely beneficial since the whole team takes on equal responsibility for the project, which encourages all team members to become fully involved. ›› Some of the Dublin City Council staff felt that they had been influenced by their experiences in the Council to react to ideas by pre-empting the possible negatives that could arise. They felt this led to people seeking the least bad outcome rather than the best possible result. When working with the volunteers who were not pre-disposed to think like this a new spectrum of opportunity and potential was opened. ›› When people work in a particular section and with people from a similar profession/industry they tend to develop a common belief system and this prevents people from thinking or acting outside the norm. This breeds assumptions and precedents, and DCC can often be guilty of this common interpretation of what people want, rather than on what actually exists.

›› G etting feedback from team members and the public is really important in making projects better and really helping move projects forward. ›› When you present projects to the public with a mix of passion and knowledge, and enable people to listen, be inspired and have fun, their barriers come down quickly and real conversations and collaborations happen. ›› When you take decisions out of a formal context, the issues, fears, dreams and hopes of people can be explored deeper and on a more human level.

Outcomes

1200 500 17 1700 9 17 8 20 15 18 5 1 400 20

wishes collected

people helped define the project theme

people joined the team ideas were produced

processes were run KaosPilots collaborated in the processes

guests inspired the team documents were investigated conversation circles were held with local residents concepts were sketched

projects were developed

prototype day was held residents engaged in the projects

residents became project champions

150 400 1 3 1 1 1 10 3 4 1 3 50 6

citizens gave feedback during Innovation Dublin learnings were taken away

Designing Dublin alumni network was started team members formed a DCC innovation studio team member started a new business team member started a PhD in Media & Communication

team member re-energised a start-up business through the new skills team members continued to the Discovery Phase of Designing Dublin 2.0

team members became team leaders on Designing Dublin 2.0 academic papers referenced the project team member has taken on a Council project using the Designing Dublin processes projects continue to create positive impact in the area neighbours now know each other because of the project

times press coverage was received

Part 03

DESIGNING DUBLIN 2.0 Love the City : Dublin City Centre September 2010 to March 2011

DESIGNING DUBLIN 2.0 >

March â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 2010

DD 2.0

[ DISCOVERING THE CITY CENTRE ]

Imaging City / Understanding City / Reviewing City Ideating City Ten Challenges / People City Project Matching Mapping City [LOVE THE CITY BOOK & EXHIBITION]

Project theme : Love the City

Project place : Dublin City Centre

Project team : 12 people

PROJECT } } }

} 9 PROCESSES } EXHIBITION BOOK AREA SELECTION }

} }

11 LACK OF’S

}

IDEAS TRANSFOR – MATION

}

8 PROTOTYPES } PROTOTYPE } EXTRAVAGANZA

5 x 20 ideas based on 5 themes. 10 prototypes based on the theme ‘This is a project I would love to bring to life.’ KaosPilots : 9 Processes Innovation week : ‘100 Exciting things you did not know about the city centre.’ Analysing and selecting an area of the city using mapping techniques. Choosing Markets Area as the working area.

Exploring the Markets Area. Engaging with community using street engagement processes. Issues in the Markets Area identified and categorised into 11 themes. 11 concepts developed. 4 of these concepts are ‘married’.

Developing final prototypes. Final display/testing.

January 2011 – Marh 2011

SITE STUDY OPEN DAYS

5 x 20 examples based on 5 themes.

September 2010 – December 2010

100 EXAMPLES 100 IDEAS 10 PROTOTYPES

Background

Love the City is the second project of Designing Dublin : Learning to Learn. It follows on from Designing Dublin 1.0, which brought together a team of volunteers with City Council staff, to focus on Finding the hidden potential of place in Clongriffin. From September to November 2009, the team collaborated to listen to the needs of the community, find ideas for the area, test these ideas and engage the community in taking ownership of the projects. Post the success of the Designing Dublin 1.0 pilot project, Dublin City Council offered a second challenge to the DD : LL team. This project became known as Designing Dublin 2.0 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Love the City.

Location

Designing Dublin 2.0 – Love the City was based in Dublin’s City Centre. A. During the first half of the project, the team looked at the larger City Centre and considered everything between the Grand Canal, Royal Canal, Heuston Station and the Docklands as rough North, South, West and East borders. B. During the second half of the project, the team explored the Markets Area, bounded by Ormond Quay, Church Street, North King Street, and Capel Street.

A. City Centre

This area composes the core retail, tourist and economic zones, the major transport hubs, as well as what are considered the main inner city residential areas. 5km approx. east – west 4km approx. north – south 1,187,176 people live in Dublin city and county 130, 466 people live in the City Centre 156,730 people work in the City Centre 50,000 people study in City Centre Third Level Institutions Something that we were always conscious of throughout the project was that the City Centre is an area that everyone defines differently. We therefor aimed to encompass all the possible permutations of where it begins and ends. Dublin’s City Centre is infinitely complex with many very localised personalities, sometimes just on a street-by-street scale. The core City Centre is easily walkable, though the outer edges could easily be a 50 minute walk to get between.

B. Markets Area

This area has historically been where goods such as livestock, fruit and vegetables, fish and flowers have been sold and distributed. There are still fruit, vegetable and flower wholesalers based in the area, both in independent warehouses and the Dublin City Council market building. Many of these traders now cater for both wholesale and retail. .5km approx. east - west .7km approx. north - south 4 busy streets border the area 1 public transport link stops in the area Four Courts, Bridewell Garda Station, DCC markets building are some of the main area landmarks. The Markets Area is not just about the markets, and also includes a huge residential population in both council housing and private homes and apartments. There are many other businesses in the area from desk share spaces, and artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; studios to pubs, community spaces and offices. The area is a mix of large empty spaces and small laneways, and despite being very central is strangely unknown to many people in the city.

DESIGNING DUBLIN 2.0 Love the City : Dublin City Centre Discovery phase : March 2010 to May 2011

Love the City – Discovery phase Team Dublin City Council approached the Designing Dublin 1.0 team in early March 2010, with the proposal of the team discovering why footfall in the City Centre was down and understanding how this issue could be addressed. Given the complexity of the brief, it was decided that the team would spend thirteen weeks studying the City Centre to define the scope of the project. The team for the Discovery phase was made up of graduates of DD 1.0 :

Dublin City Council staff ›› Deirdre Ni Raghallaigh Senior Administrative Officer ›› Sarah Scannell Clerical Officer ›› Peter Leonard Landscape Architect ›› Jeremy Wales Architect ingal County Council staff F ›› Celine O’Rourke Architect Design Twentyfirst Century employees ›› Emmanuelle Marion Entrepreneur ›› Luke Gleeson Architecture student ›› Ken Sweeney Mechanical Engineer ›› Eimear Fitzsimons Product Designer ›› Brian Gough Communication Designer ›› Susan Butler Interaction Designer The team were also joined by two Dublin City Council staff members, seconded to the team for the Discovery phase: ›› M ary Conway and Shane Dineen, both Planners in the City Planning Department. The team was led by Vannesa Ahuactzin, Creative Director of Design Twentyfirst Century.

Stages The team completed nine discovery stages. Each stage helped to focus the overall project theme and working area. The team began the project knowing that they needed to find a way to make the City Centre a more vibrant place, so that more people could be inspired to experience the wide range of possibilities that it offers. The stages were, as follows :

Imaging City This stage invovled a brain loosening exercise in rediscovering the true qualities of Dublin. By actively experiencing and absorbing the patterns, movements, smells, collisions and interactions between people, nature and infrastructure, the team generated a story and photograph of the City. Understanding City This stage was about gathering, reviewing, understanding and analyzing the plans, reports, stakeholder lists, maps and statistical information, available on the City Centre. The conclusions extracted from this stage of the discovery phase served as a tool to understand the range of challenges faced by the City Centre. Reviewing City This stage was about discovering existing initiatives and understanding their range, interconnectivity, patterns, weaknesses and accessibility. Ideating City This stage looked at Dublin through the lens of opportunity and generated quick ideas that could potentially benefit the City. The continuous reassessment of the ideas throughout Ideating City, allowed some ideas to fade and others to establish patterns and themes in further stages of the project. Listening Group This stage was about using an interview process to engage the Steering Group in a conversation on the City Centre project. By drawing on the knowledge, insight and perspectives of the Steering Group the team gained a deeper understanding and awareness of the challenges and opportunities facing the City Centre.

Ten Challenges This stage was about analyzing and focusing the content gathered during Understanding City, Reviewing City and Ideating City stages into a set of challenges that could help create the framework for the City Centre project. By zooming into, summarizing and looking for information patterns, the team was able to identify the most challenging topics faced by the City. People City This stage was about understanding the effect that the aspirations from the Ten Challenges could have on the lives of people who used the City. By testing each challenge and its matching aspiration against an imaginary scenario, the team identified the potential benefits that would arise if actions were taken to address each challenge. Project Matching This stage was about identifying robust, powerful and exciting sample projects that could be matched to the Ten Challenges. It was a way of testing the focus of the overall project. By pairing the challenges with projects the team were able to test the validity and elasticity of the challenges. Mapping City This stage was about defining the working boundary of the City Centre project. It was a process in understanding the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perception of the word City Centre. By pushing our conception of boundary, the team managed to create a tool with which to select the working area. They looked at the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assets and parallel challenges or deficits as the catalysts that define an area, instead of putting pen to paper to define a boundary.

Outcomes The nine stages of the discovery phase informed the project framework : The ‘Ten Challenges’ were grouped into three themes – Movement, Living and Enterprise. Having defined these three themes, the project name emerged – Love the City. The reasoning was that Dublin has not reached the level of love that other Cities, such as New York have. This is because people do not always know how to use the City and in turn the City is hard to navigate and understand. The team proposed a three-step approach for the project phase of Love the City. A. Grow awareness of the city B. Improve the destination experience C. Make the city sticky

Designing Dublin day by day

DESIGNING DUBLIN 2.0 Love the City Dublin City Centre Project phase : September 2010 to March 2011

Love the City – Project phase Team & recruitment In August 2010 Design Twentyfirst Century held three full interview days and met 33 candidates. 11 people were selected for the Designing Dublin 2.0 team. The team was made up of : 5 Dublin City Council staff 7 Volunteers The team were supported by three graduates of DD : LL 1.0 who took on the role of Team Leaders and the Creative Director Vannesa Ahuactzin. Team Leaders were Brian Gough, a com munication designer working in the industry for over 10 years; Susan Butler, who has a back ground in fashion design and more recently received a Masters in Interactive Digital Media; Eimear Fitzsimons, who has a background in Product Design and Masters in Professional Design Practice. The team was chosen for their diverse range of skills, attributes and qualities. They came from varied backgrounds and perspectives.

Team A. Tara Whelan Tara graduated in 2007 from NCAD, Dublin/University of Limerick, Limerick with a First Class Honours degree in Industrial Design. She studied a Ma/MSc in Digital Media at Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology, Dublin from 2009 to 2010. Tara has experience in working freelance with Waterford Crystal, Limerick City Gallery of Art and Atelier Van Lieshout. B. Linnea Vizard Linnea graduated in 2010 with a First Class Honours BDes in Industrial Design from NCAD, Dublin. She has work experience, undertaking an internship in furniture design in Cork. C. Nuala Flood Nuala graduated from UCD, Dublin with a 2:1 honours degree in Architecture. She has work experience with the Office of Public Works and Sean Harrington Architects. She is currently a PhD candidate in Trinity Haus, Trinity College Dublin where she is using her participation in Love the City as active research to contribute towards her work on design methodologies and sustainable cities. D. Vincent Harris Vincent graduated with a BA in Fine Art from DIT, Portland Row in 2006. He worked as a freelance artist most recently and also has experience as a Manager with CMS Marketing. E. Lindsay Rountree Lindsay graduated from DIT Kevin Street in 2003 with a 2:1 Honours Degree in Electronic/Electrical Engineering. He has experience working with Chorus Cable TV and NTL Cable TV, where he supervised the cable system upgrade. He also project managed a number of outreach project in Kenya, Africa. F. Una McGrath Una has a background in design, graduating from DIT with First Class Honours in the BA of Interior and Furniture Design in 2000. Previous to this, she earned a BA in International Marketing and Languages from DCU and a post-graduate diploma in Computer Science from University College Cork. Most recently, she has five years experience as a consultant in sustainable transport and behavioural change projects. She is currently on the board of Directors for Dublin Bus. Previously, she worked for nine years in IT, education and design. G. Micheรกl Rowsome Micheรกl received a BA in Media Communications from Cork Institute of Technology in 2005. He has experience working as an artist in residence and has collaborated on a number of projects internationally.

H. Mary Mooney Mary received a Diploma in Community and Youth Work from NUI Maynooth in 2010. She has been working with DCC for ten years, mainly in the Community Development Section of Ballymun and Santry. Before joining the project, she spent a year in the Housing Office of Estate Management in Ballymun. I. Ciarรกn Stanley Ciarรกn graduated in 2004 with a BSc in Geomatics from DIT. He was awarded a Certificate in Local Government Studies from the IPA (Institute of Public Administration) in 2006. Ciarรกn has worked with City Architects as an architectural technician since September 2008. Previous to that, he worked with Ballymun Regeneration Limited. J. John Conroy John graduated with a BA in Local Governement Studies from IPA in 2010. Previous to this, he earned a Diploma in Business Management from NCI. He has worked with DCC since 1980, working as a foreman in a workshop for the past 15 years. John has been heavily involved in youth work, community radio and the arts. He was awarded the title of Peace Commissioner in 2010 for his work in community development in Tallaght, Co. Dublin. K. Brian Gough Brian has had an extensive career working as a graphic designer before going to Bath Spa University where he completed an MA in Brand Development shortly before joining the team. L. Shane Waring Shane graduated in 2000 with a Degree in Architecture from DIT. He joined City Architects Division in Dublin City Council in 2001, taking a break in 2006 to work with Solearth Ecological Architects for two years. Since rejoining the City Council in 2009, he has worked on DCC Sustainability Report. He is also Director of GoCar. M. Susan Butler Having completed a BDes in Fashion Design from NCAD, Susan went straight into a MSc in Multimedia Systems in Trinity College and shortly after joined the project. N. Vannesa Ahuactzin Vannesa believes in the power of invention through multidisciplinary collaboration. She uses innovative design processes to synthesize, invent and produce projects of all scales that respond to twenty-first century challenges. She acted as Creative Director throughout Designing Dublin 1.0 & 2.0 O. Eimear Fitzsimons Eimear pursued a BSc in Product Design, followed by an MA in Professional Design Practice, both in DIT, which she completed just as the project began.

Brief The Discovery phase of the Love the City project reframed the issues of decreased footfall and a lack of vibrancy in the City Centre. The team concluded that the only way to undertake the massive task of reinvigorating the City Centre, is to start by inspiring people to become re-aware of the City Centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offerings while providing people with urban experiences that are care-free, delightful, safe and about discovery. The Love the City project began on 13th September 2010 and closed on 1st April 2011. Over 26 weeks, the team collaborated to address three project stages :

A. Grow awareness of the city September – November 2010

C. Make the city sticky April – May 2011

The aim of this phase was to collaborate and converse with stakeholders to understand why they are not coming into the City and what they love about the City. In the process, the team managed to grow people’s awareness of the City’s offerings.

Given the success and simplicity of the prototypes, it is hoped that this manner of project development (recorded via his book) can be repeated in other areas of the City. The team imagines that :

The findings resulted in a successful exhibition and book called '100 hundred exciting things you did not know about the city center'. B. Improve the destination experience December 2010 – March 2011 With the project area and topic identified, the team moved onto researching, selecting and collaborating with a second set of users and stakeholders from the selected area – Markets Area. The findings resulted in 8 prototypes for the Markets Area.

›› F urther prototypes could be developed in other areas using the same three step approach tested throughout the Love the City project. ›› I t is possible to increase the quality, frequency and continuity of projects, events and other participatory in itiatives that will encourage people to love their City.

Activities & structure The Love the City team worked together from Monday to Friday in an open office environment. The project workload was intense, frequently working over-time and weekends. In 26 weeks, the team worked quickly and smartly, pushing themselves and each other to produce the best work possible, and meet the ambitions of the project.

A. Grow awareness of the city A.1 Introducing Dublin Week 1 - 3 September 13 to October 1, 2010 This phase re-opened and linked the discovery portion of Love the City. The overall ambition was to engage the team in reremembering, re-viewing, re-interpreting and re-loving the City. Through a multitude of conversations, presentations, research, photography and reflection, the team absorbed and reflected on Dublin’s character and playlist of activities, people and events until they reached their own individual and reinterpreted version of the City.

life in traditionally residential areas of Dublin City. Entrepreneurship in Dublin ›› Killian Stokes is founder of mygoodpoints. org, an online platform for donating to charity projects using unused loyalty points, donations and payroll giving. ›› Ronan Harrington is a director of ARKº, a not for profit clothing brand on a mission to spread kindness. ›› Olivier Vanden Elst is a co-founder of Greenaer, who are bringing green transport to Ireland through various products such as the electric car and bicycle.

Product ›› 100 examples ›› 100 ideas ›› Thematic design project – I love Dublin

Week 1 Information Soak September 13 to 17, 2010 The team were introduced to the project, immersed in key aspects of the City and began developing their understanding of how it could be revitalised.

Activities Project launch ›› Team was introduced to the project ›› 3 inspirational speakers joined per day around the following themes : ‘Storytelling of Dublin’, ‘Entrepreneurship in Dublin’, ‘Society in Dublin’ and ‘Interactions with Dublin’ ›› Team conducted research on a daily basis, collecting 20 examples (local and international) and 20 ideas (personal sketches) based on the theme of the day Visitors & conversations Storytelling of Dublin ›› Trevor White is an Irish journalist and food critic. He recently founded 'City of a Thousand Welcomes' and is the former owner of 'The Dubliner Magazine'. ›› Nicky Gogan has directed and produced a number of documentaries telling the story life in Ireland, such as 'Seaview' and 'Pyjama Girls'. ›› Jeanette Lowe is a photographer who has worked on a number of projects exploring

Society in Dublin ›› Peter O’Brien was involved in negotiating for the public use of Dartmouth Square and arranged a variety of activities for the local community such as yoga classes and film nights. ›› Tobias Lau founded Social Action in Copenhagen to give people the tools to change the world and bring social value to companies. ›› Dr. Fergus McCabe works in the City Centre with recovering drug addicts to provide them with the support and services they require. Interactions with Dublin ›› Teresa Dillon of Polar Produce has produced a number of projects engaging communities in art and technology interventions. ›› Sam Bishop founded Street Feast, which ran a series of events encouraging neighbours to share lunch and celebrate local community. ›› Lauren Currie is co-founder of Snook, a service design company based in Glasgow which has produced a number of successful projects, including My Police.

Week 2 Information reflection September 20 to 24, 2010 The team were further immersed in key aspects of the City and produced their own ideas, examples and projects to transform the City. Activities ›› 3 inspirational speakers joined around theme of ‘Spirit in Dublin’ ›› Team conducted research on a daily basis, collecting 20 examples (local and international) and 20 ideas (personal sketches) based on the theme of the day ›› Team compiled and presented their 100 examples and 100 ideas

100

›› Review and discussion of 100 examples and 100 ideas ›› Summarised themes of Spirit and Storytelling ›› 11 individual design projects in one day – ‘I love Dublin. This is a project I would love to bring to life…’ Projects included : 01 Positive protest 02 Gratitude bank 03 Information notices along Luas lines 04 One metre mapped 05 Urban treasure hunt 06 Good news day 07 Memory bubbles 08 Junction story chair 09 Story table-mats 10 Wishes on stars Visitors & conversations Spirit of Dublin ›› Jim Dunne is the co-founder of Design Twentyfirst Century, with a background in identity and branding, Jim has worked on projects such as the identity of the GAA. ›› Cllr. Emer Costello was Lord Mayor of Dublin from 2009 to 2010 and championed a number of initiatives around enterprise and creativity in that time. Deliverables 100 Ideas ›› Each team member imagined 20 ideas x 5 themes for the city and ended up with 100 ideas sketched on 100 post-its. 100 Examples ›› Each team member discovered and documented 20 examples x 5 themes of inspirational projects that have happened both locally and globally. The team also worked to synthesised the 100 examples. I love Dublin ›› The team voted on each other’s ideas and each person had 7 hours to develop and test their winning idea, and documented their experience. Each team member wrote up a report on their project, and the feed back and response they got from it.

Week 3 Information reflection September 27 to October 1, 2010 The team reviewed the work of Love the City and began mapping key stakeholders who could provide insights into the City including how it works and how it could be improved.

Activities ›› Presentation of the Love the City book from Designing Dublin 1.0 team members ›› Review of city centre stakeholders and users ›› Identification of missing research questions re: stakeholders and users ›› Research and further identification of City Centre stakeholders and users ›› Compiled stakeholder matrix ›› Skype about process design from Paul Natorp and Kristin Birkeland from Aarhus, Denmark. Visitors & conversations ›› Paul Natorp is an educator and a social entrepreneur who has worked with schools, universities and companies to develop new initiatives. He has worked with the KaosPilots and co-founded the Creative Leadership program. ›› Kristin Birkeland is a Teamcoach at the KaosPilots and artist. She has worked with companies to identify new business ventures, coaching teams and teaching process leadership. Deliverables Understanding the project ›› The team took a deep dived into the Love the City discovery document, and began developing their own reflections, questions, stakeholders, and curiosities.

A2 – Interconnecting Dublin Week 4 – 10 October 4 to November 19, 2010

The team began building relationships with other City projects, developed the list of stakeholders and created test processes to begin collecting insights into the City.

04 How do you relate to the City? How close do you feel to the City? 05 What motivates people to come into and use Dublin, feel close to Dublin? What could motivate them to come into Dublin more often, feel closer to Dublin? What are the hidden gems in Dublin City? What makes a place feel special? Visitors & conversations ›› Working with Paul Natorp and Kristin Birkeland to refine test processes ›› Meeting with Steering Group

Activities ›› Introduction to ‘What is Dublin for?’ ›› Grouping stakeholders into matrix of themes ›› Develop questions for stakeholders ›› Design processes for each group of stakeholders ›› Identify stakeholders for test processes and gather contact information ›› Invite stakeholders to test processes Visitors & conversations ›› Presentation of work to Malmö City Council ›› Identification of missing stakeholders with Dick Gleeson, City Planner and Peter Leonard, Landscape Architect Deliverables Process development ›› In pairs the team worked on understanding the learning from Paul and Kristin and from it designing 6 processes that they would run the following week.

Deliverables 6 test processes ›› Working in pairs the teams designed and ran 6 processes, this helped them begin to uncover interesting insights about the City as well as developing their skills in running processes. Process documentation ›› The process paired team members and recorded their experiences and findings from their processes. Graphics ›› T-Shirts for the team members ›› Love the City badges

Week 6 Analysing/presenting processes October 18 to 22, 2010 The team selected a group of stake holders to invite to processes and developed a strategy for engaging them.

Stakeholder mapping and inviting ›› Each process group invited project collaborators, past team members and willing friends to join their test processes. ›› They also developed the stakeholder map, listing out the people who have a role in how the city runs, develops, cares, and nourishes, as well as those who use the City.

This phase engaged the team in a series of conversations, workshops, games, talks, etc., with a diverse range of stakeholders/ users, and aimed to further understand why people are not traveling to the City Centre. Two aspects of the project were explored: 01. Why are people not coming to the City Centre? 02. Why are people not leaving the City Centre? Product ›› 10 processes ›› Design Week ›› Innovation Dublin ›› '100 exciting things you did not know about the city centre'

Week 4 Love the City relationships October 4 to 8, 2010

Week 5 Running processes October 11 to 15, 2010 The team ran their test processes for the Stakeholder Group, learned how to ask open questions and disseminate information. Activities ›› Prep for test processes ›› Running 6 test processes investigating 6 themes led and run by the team ›› Analysis of the process findings ›› Individual feedback sessions he 6 processes answered the following T questions: 01. How does the city support enterprise? 02. How can we make this your City? 03. How can people be empowered to maximise the potential of the City’s resources?

101

Activities ›› Review and analysis of process design ›› Extraction of key findings ›› Creation of a toolkit for running processes ›› Selection of stakeholders for scheduled conversations ›› Designing 10 easy ways to engage people in conversation ›› Preparation/presentation for Steering Group ›› Analysis of feedback Deliverables 6 processes toolkit ›› Each of the processes was recorded and broken down into ingredients and steps. A booklet was designed and made public to enable anyone to run their own processes for discovery in the city.

Presentation ›› The team presented the work to date to the Steering Group. They created presentations of each of the processes that they ran and showed the ongoing work of planning street and stakeholder conversations.

Week 7 One million urban offerings October 25 to 29, 2010 The team held conversations with the public in order to find their hidden gems of the City and understand why they did/did not come into the City Centre.

04 Children’s cameras Working with a youth group, the team asked children to photograph on disposable cameras their favourite places and moments in the City. 05 Talking with teenagers During the mid-term break week the team approached groups of teenagers on the streets around the City and asked them a series of questions, keeping the interaction informal. Deliverables Street conversations ›› Throughout the week the team developed and ran 5 conversations that they held on the streets of the City with people. ›› Each conversation’s information and insights were documented. Graphics ›› Love the City badges ›› ‘Yes’ postcards ›› Flyer explaining Designing Dublin ›› Posters for street conversations ›› 6 posters to create stall at Point Village market ›› Feedback forms for chat couch and Point Village conversations

Activities ›› Carrying out 5 methods for engaging people in conversations ›› Gathering people’s hidden gems of Dublin ›› Reiterating 5 processes ›› Gathering and compiling new information ›› Sending emails to scheduled conversation group

Week 8 Feeding one million urban offerings November 1 to 5, 2010 The team continued searching for the city's hidden gems and organised the conversations with key stakeholders to understand the issues affecting the City.

Street Conversations included :

03 Senior citizens By going to places such as Meath Street and the Pro Cathedral the team met and interacted with some of the more senior citizens in the city. 04 Newcomers The team went to Parnell Street and Capel Street and popped into ethnic stores as a way to hear from newcomers to the City. 05 Pearse House residents group Some of the team members, through a contact in the community, were invited to attend a weekly residents group meeting and hear their gems and challenges in the City. Visitors & conversations ›› Peter O’Gara and Ronan Dillon founded graphic design firm ‘me&him&you’, and have worked on a project that transformed a laneway to create a sense of community, as part of Dublin Fringe Festival. Deliverables Street conversations ›› 5 further street conversations. ›› Documentation of the processes, outcomes and insights.

01 Ha’Penny Bridge ribbons The team tied bright blue ribbons to the bars of the Ha’Penny Bridge and asked passersby to write their favourite hidden gems of the City on them. 02 Chat couch At the Gaeity Theatre and the GPO the team set up a couch and coffee table and asked people to fill in feedback forms to discover the challenges they find in the city and their hidden gems. 03 Point Village market stall Using a stall space the team created a booth where people could donate ideas, engage with the team and document the things that they love in the city.

02 Science Gallery Using infrared markers and lights the team gathered people’s secret ‘hidden gems’ in the City.

Week 9 Feeding two – one million urban offerings November 8 to 12, 2010 Activities ›› Identification of user groups missed during street conversations ›› Further street conversations to reach all users, linking in with Design Week ›› Dissemination of information ›› Gathering of findings ›› Follow-up and reminder emails regarding scheduled conversations ›› Dissemination of information from scheduled conversations ›› Inspirational speakers ‘me&him&you’ Street conversations & Design Week included visits to : 01 Leprechaun Museum The team spent a day in the café of the museum meeting people and understanding their feelings about the city.

102

The team turned the hidden gems of the City into an exhibition of ‘100 exciting things you did not know about the city centre’ for Innovation Dublin. Activities ›› 4 scheduled conversations around key themes ›› Compilation and disseminate information from scheduled conversations ›› Prep for Innovation Dublin ›› Short listing 100 exciting things ›› Writing stories based on street conversations ›› Photographing 100 exciting things ›› Printing artwork ›› Securing location ›› Creating cardboard furniture ›› The scheduled conversations

Stakeholders map ›› Final listing of city stakeholders and the processes to which they would be best connected.

Week 10 Testing November 15 to 19, 2010

Investigated the following themes : 01 These are the people who exchange their products in the City This process brought together entrepreneurs, business leaders, innovators, charities and politicians to discuss the difficulties in exchanging products of all types in the City. 02 These are the people who move us through the City This process featured planners, transport authorities, architects, signage designers, waterways and cycling promoters, advocates of disabled users, entrepreneurs and Dublin City Council cycling and traffic officers. The discussions brought to light underused resources in the City, the hierarchy of road users in the City and the reality of movement in Dublin. 03 These are the people who live in the City Centre This process focused on discussing issues people encounter living in Dublin City, with insights from residents of the City, Dublin City Council community officers, politicians, community workers, and the marketing director of Dublin Docklands. 04 These are the people who start up new things in the City This process brought the focus on design, entrepreneurship and barriers to startingup new things in the City. Attended by artists who are making use of empty retail spaces, the founder of the Soul Festival in Dublin, curators, the CEO of the Digital Hub and a development executive from Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, the afternoon was both informative and collaborative. Deliverables Scheduled conversations ›› In groups the team ran 4 scheduled conversations and recorded the process, outcomes and findings of each.

The team installed the exhibition ‘100 exciting things you did not know about the City Centre’ and used it as a medium to engage the City in a conversation about the unique offerings of Dublin. Activities ›› Prep for Innovation Dublin ›› Setting up exhibition ›› Opening exhibition to public ›› Gathering feedback and further hidden gems in the City ›› Review of exhibition and learning Deliverables ›› ‘100 Exciting things’ exhibition ›› Selecting, photographing, layout out and writing the stories of 100 exciting things in the city centre. ›› Designing the process for people to engage with the exhibition and give feedback. ›› Constructing the exhibition itself, erecting boxes, adding graphics and planning the layout. ›› Completing and installing the cardboard furniture. ›› Images of people from street conversations printed and installed.

identified in the discovery phase to extract the challenges faced by the City Centre and then map the assets and deficiencies related to those challenges. Product ›› Mapping tool ›› Thematic focus for project working area

Week 11 Reviewing & wrapping up November 22 to 26, 2010 The team reflected on the completion of the first phase of the project and prepped themselves for the next stage.

Activities Dismantling exhibition ›› Review of working practice ›› Time for personal reflections ›› Attending to project logistics and administration Deliverables Exhibition removal ›› The entire '100 Things' exhibition was dismantled, packed up and brought back to the studio. Out Loud ›› Wordmark for Love the City : Out Loud! Group

Graphics ›› ‘Yes to the Liffey’ badges ›› ‘Yes to the Northside’ badges ›› ‘Yes to the Southside’ badges ›› ‘Yes to Optimism’ badges ›› Feedback forms designed and printed ›› ‘100 Things’ map designed and printed ›› ‘100 Things’ Google Map ›› Posters advertising the ‘100 Things’ exhibition

A3 Mapping assets/ deficiencies Week 11 – 12 November 22 to December 3, 2010 This phase used the information extracted from A-2 Interconnecting Dublin to identify the working area. Using a set criteria and a sequence of questions/answers, the team developed the mapping tool

103

Week 12 Mapping assets/deficiencies November 29 to December 3, 2010 The team were introduced to the mapping technique developed in Love the City and began developing their approach to finding a working area. Activities ›› Introduction to mapping and GIS ›› Test mapping on Capel Street

›› Review of mapping technique ›› Steering Group presentation ›› Inspiring visit from Ré Dubhthaigh ›› Plan for mapping working area Visitors & conversations ›› Ré Dubhthaigh founded Radarstation, a commercially focused innovation company and has worked with multinationals such as Sony as well as many SME’s and public bodies to use design as a tool for creating user-led system change. Deliverables Test mapping ›› Test map of Capel Street using new mapping tools and ideas

Week 13 Mapping assets/deficiencies 2 December 6 to 10, 2009 The team mapped potential working areas in the City by immersing themselves in data, conversations and the City.

Deliverables Mapping exercise ›› Each team member presented the area of the city that they would chose to zoom into, as well as their process and reasoning behind the decision. ›› As a full group the team selected the potential working areas and understood the patterns of each place ›› Summary of mapping ›› Map of selected working area

Deliverables Presentations ›› The team showcased the potential project areas to the Steering Group. Research beginnings ›› Each team member spent time absorbing the chosen working area, and as a deliverable worked on generating initial ideas, especially considering technology as a possible tool to enable projects in the area.

Radio preparation ›› The team planned, rehearsed and recorded 2 radio show promos for the upcoming radio show.

Book Club ›› Lindsay read and presented the book 'Redrawing Dublin'.

B. Improve the destination experience B.1 Zoom to working area Week 15 – 17 January 10 to 21, 2011 During this phase, the team held conversations, workshops, open space interactions, etc. with the residents of the Market Area. Through a series of processes, the team worked to define their prototype project. Product ›› 5 processes ›› Discovery of area potential ›› Ideation sketches

Activities › Working individually to map areas of potential within the City ›Developing a radio strategy Visitors & conversations ›› Working with Adrienne Eacrett, GIS expert to plot key assets/deficiencies Deliverables Mapping data ›› The team identified and collected data sets that could be used with GIS software to discover patterns that would help us choose a working area.

Week 14 Focusing in on working area December 13 to 15, 2009

Radio ›› The radio team created the overall framework for the 12 weeks of shows. ›› They planned the basic format that each week’s show would follow and they decided on the style of content that would be included. ›› The recurring show intro was planned and recorded. ›› Week 1 – ‘Learning about Designing Dublin’ was planned, interviews were recorded and the show was broadcast.

Week 16 Understanding the working area January 17 to 21, 2011 The team spent time exploring and understanding the working area to get a comprehensive picture of it’s system.

Week 15 Defining our working area January 10 to 14, 2011 With the working area selected, the team began researching. Activities ›› Discussion with the Steering Group ›› Selection of working area ›› Inspirational presentation/working session with Ronni Tino ›› Walking working area ›› Discussion of initial impressions ›› Radio, week one Visitors & conversations ›› Ronni Tino’s background is in Digital Media and has worked with Innovation Lab and New Media Days in Copenhagen. He has developed new technologies for Cities, such as Copenhagen Layer which measures pollution levels in the City.

The team completed stage one of the project by defining their working area – Markets Area – between Capel Street & Church Street and North King Street & Ormond Quay.

Activities ›› Conducting a site study of the area under 11 themes ›› Analysing the area over different times and days to understand its patterns ›› Presentation of findings to team ›› Inspirational presentation from Paul Kearns ›› Visit to the Studio ›› Book Club – Ciarán ›› Radio, week two Site study analysis included : A. People Meeting with and understanding who are the people that live, work, move through, use and play in the area.

Activities ›› Finishing individual mapping process and GIS mapping ›› Presentation of potential working area ›› Identification of patterns in areas ›› 4 general areas of potential identified

B. Movement Seeing, researching and investigating everything about how stuff, information and people move through the area.

104

C. History Researching the local area history and discovering the things that have framed the area. D. Community Talking to the groups, organisations, and community workers to discover what they do and their insights about the local community E. Existing plans Reading and picking out the relevant information from the existing plans, both those created by DCC and other groups such as the Civic Trust. F. Regulations Understanding the rules, both formal and informal that control the area.

›› They created presentations of everything that they uncovered and shared these with the rest of the team. Radio ›› Week 2 – Love the City was planned, interviews were recorded and the show was broadcast.

Week 17 Listening to the working area January 24 to 28, 2011 The team engaged users of the working area and listened for their needs and challenges.

Throughout this phase the team developed and tested ten ideas that have the potential to transform the working area. The prototypes of the ten ideas followed a set criteria.

H. Enterprise Discovering how the area works in terms of business – what are the local economies, how does exchange happen, what are the possibilities for new businesses?

J. Informal use of the built environment Understanding how people interact with the spaces and places in the area, both formally and informally. K. Sustainability Discovering the ecology, nature and living patterns of the area.

Book Club ›› Vincent read, presented and generated a lively discussion with 'The Smart Swarm' by Peter Miller. Radio ›› Week 3 – ‘100 exciting things you did not know about the city centre’ was planned, interviews were recorded and the show was broadcast.

B2 Ideas transformation Week 18 – 26 January 31 – March 31, 2011

G. Built environment Looking at the hard urban landscape of the area – what type of space is it, what are the interesting aspects, how are spaces used?

I. Work, live and play Looking at how people’s lives are in the area – what do they do in their spare time, what opportunities are there for fun and enjoyment?

us reach a variety of people around the Markets Area. ›› Documenting the results of the open days and looking for insights in what people told us. ›› Design of a flyer explaining Designing Dublin and the Markets Area connection

Activities ›› Conducting a series of Open Days ›› Gathering and disseminating information ›› Inspirational presentation from Mark O’Halloran ›› Book Club – Vincent ›› Radio, week four Open Days activities included : 01 Street conversations Three teams spent their days manning temporary cardboard tables in various locations around and approaching the Markets Area. This activity allowed them to understand how people use the area, their wishes for how it can develop, and the challenges which the area faces.

Product ›› 10 ideas ›› 10 designs ›› 10 prototypes

Week 18 100 Ideas January 31 to February 4, 2011 The team disseminated their understanding of the working area into ideas that could potentially transform the area.

02 Pop-in conversations In an attempt to meet as many area stakeholders as possible two team members called into businesses, the local school, and credit union.

Visitors & conversations ›› Paul Kearns is a senior planner in Dublin City Council and co-author of 'Redrawing Dublin', a provocative book about Dublin City and the importance of city living. Deliverables Book Club ›› Ciarán presented 'Man Watching : A Field Guide to Human Behaviour' by Desmond Morris to the team. Site Study ›› Individual team members gathered, photographed, read, understood and documented all of their relevant findings and information.

03 Planned conversations Another two team members tried to visit and meet the community groups that are active in the area, both by having a presence in the MACRO building and arranging meetings with them. Visitors & conversations ›› Mark O’Halloran is a writer, actor and producer. He has written ‘Adam and Paul’ and produced ‘Prosperity’, showing the bleakness of Dublin City. He is also heavily involved in RADE, a recovery through art and drama programme for heroin addicts in the City. Deliverables Open Days ›› Design, planning and execution of 5 open days conversations that allowed

105

Activities ›› Review of Open Day information and Site Study information ›› Identifying challenges stated in conversations ›› Gathering 100 ideas to address these challenges ›› Review of grouping missed during first Open Days ›› Iteration of Open Day to targeted groupings ›› Inspirational presentation by Anastasia Crickley ›› Gathering of information into challenges and ideas ›› Book Club – Nuala ›› Radio, week four

Visitors & conversations ›› Anastasia Crickley is Head of Applied Social Studies at NUI Maynooth and has worked with organisations such as Pavee Point, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racism and the Migrants Rights Centre of Ireland. Deliverables Open Days 2 ›› The team conducted an additional day of meeting people on the streets to ensure that they had talked to as broad a spectrum of people in the Markets Area as possible. ›› They documented the conversations and insights from these open days and added them to the previous week’s pool of information.

Activities Presentation of 100 ideas ›› Thematic grouping of challenges ›› Identification of 11 challenges facing the area ›› Distribution of challenges among team members ›› Presentation of challenges and feedback from team ›› Inspirational presentation by Michael Rice ›› Visit from The Studio ›› Book Club – Tara ›› Radio, week five Visitors & conversations ›› Working session with Charlie Lowe and Declan Wallace ›› Michael Rice is a bio architect and expert in sacred geometry. He designs buildings, which promote a more sustainable lifestyle through the use of fundamental elements such as cymatics, wave lengths and fractals. Deliverables 11 Challenges ›› The team worked through all of the ideas for the area, their insights from the site studies and their intuition to come up with 11 key challenges in the area, which took the form of 11 ‘Lack of’s…’.

100 Ideas ›› Each open day team spent time understanding what they had heard, and pulling out insights. ›› They pulled out initial ideas and pushed themselves as a group to come up with 100 ideas for the area that were grounded in what they had heard and discovered during the site study. Book Club ›› Nuala, ambitiously, read and presented three different books 'Cities for People' by Jan Gehl, 'Creating Sustainable Cities' by Herbert Girardet and 'Collapse' by Jared Diamond. Radio ›› Week 4 – ‘Living in the City’ was planned, interviews were recorded and the show was broadcast.

Week 19 11 Lacks February 7 to 11, 2011 The team identified a series of key challenges facing the working area.

Visitors & conversations ›› Working session with Mary-Ann Harris about biodiversity in the area ›› Maser is a graffiti artist based in Dublin. He recently collaborated with Damien Dempsey to produce a project called ‘They are us’, sending positive messages to Dubliners inspired by the City and in aid of Dublin Simon Community.

Deliverables Lack Of’s… development ›› Each team member took on one of the challenges facing the area and spent the week conducting further research, deepening their understanding of the challenges, and finding the core of the issue around which they could then imagine projects and prototypes. ›› The team members also formed project ‘marriages’ so that their work could complement each other. Book Club ›› Linnea read, analysed and gave an incredibly comprehensive presentation of 'Glimmer' by Warren Berger, ‘The uncommon life of common objects’ by Akiko Busch and ‘Delusions of gender’ by Cordelia Fine.

Book Club ›› Tara read and presented in way that was understandable and digestible the very complex book 'The production of space' by French sociologist and philosopher, Henry Lefebvre. Radio ›› Week 5 – ‘Movement in the City’ was planned, interviews were recorded and the show was broadcast.

Week 20 11 Lacks 2 February 14 to 18, 2011 The team started working on their projects, understanding how their topic could transform the working area and mapped the relationship between each project. Activities ›› Developing 11 lacks of projects ›› Presentations and feedback on 11 lack of’s ›› Marrying of projects ›› Inspirational presentation by Maser ›› Book Club – Linnea ›› Radio, week six

106

Radio ›› Week 6 – ‘Enterprise in the City’ was planned, interviews were recorded and the show was broadcast.

Week 21 8 Concepts February 21 to 25, 2011 The team defined the project concepts and began outlining the logistics for their prototypes. Activities ›› Completing 11 lacks of project concepts ›› Presentation of concepts and feedback ›› Developing prototype logistics ›› Inspirational presentation by Niall O’Baoill ›› Book Club – Shane Lack Of’s included : Lack of ease to start a business Lack of navigation Lack of facilities Lack of vibrancy and diversity Lack of fun and lightness Lack of knowing the system of the area Lack of ownership Lack of communication and interaction Lack of safety

Lack of linkages Lack of identity Visitors & conversations ›› Niall O’Baoill is the Culture Co-ordinator of Fatima Groups United, working in community development for many years, he has facilitated social regeneration and a greater parity of power between decision makers and the community in the area. Deliverables Lack Of’s concepts ›› Each team member completed developing their ‘lack of’ – getting it to a stage where they had a core concept, a key project concept and a prototype idea.

Are you aware? ›› Discovering the Markets Area through fruity fun & frolics. Pimp your Pavement ›› Using ecology and planting as a magnet for bringing people together and improving the Markets Area. DigitalMary.ie ›› A human interaction network aiming to enable creativity to flourish in the Markets Area. Improving the destination experience ›› Improving the experience of navigation and the feeling of safety in the Markets Area.

Book Club ›› Shane presented the book 'What Would Google Do?' By Jeff Jarvis which created much debate and controversy.

Square metre outside your door ›› Using the construction of urban furniture as a tool to bringing two different residential groups together while improving the environment outside their homes.

Week 22 8 prototypes – 1 February 28 to March 4, 2011

Visitors & conversations ›› Jean Byrne is co–founder of Design Twentyfirst Century, with a background in entrepreneurship, owning and running a fashion label as well as working with organisations such as An Cosán and the Crafts Council of Ireland.

The team began preparing for their prototypes to take place in the working area.

City Works ›› Showcasing and telling the story of the people who make the city work in all levels and involving them in a human library event. Broadcasting People ›› Capturing the stories of people and the Markets and projecting them around the City.

Activities ›› Preparation and logistics for prototypes ›› Running early prototypes ›› Inspirational presentation by John Harrington ›› Book Club – Lindsay ›› Radio, week eight Visitors & conversations ›› John Harrington has a background in advertising and founded Real Eyes, a company that works with organisations to implement sustainable change using the principles of The Natural Step. Deliverables Prototype preparation ›› Working on their own prototypes, each team member took the steps needed to make their prototypes happen. ›› Work elements ranged from meeting stakeholders, buying materials, designing posters, making models, inviting people to processes, planning events, booking venues, discovering collaborators, testing the limits of health and safety and testing potential outcomes.

Activities ›› Preparation and logistics for prototypes ›› Construction of prototypes ›› Plan of action for each prototype ›› Receiving permissions for prototyping ›› Insurance and prototype logistics ›› Prototype budget ›› Inspirational presentation by Jean Byrne ›› Book Club – Mary ›› Radio, week seven Prototypes in planning stage included: 10 Enterprises/10 Days/10 Tests ›› Using a vacant space to showcase innovative ways in which enterprise can transform an area. Urban Furniture ›› Creating a destination place where people can pause, spend time, have a coffee, read a book, meet friends, within the Markets Area.

The team continued securing prototype logistics and ran a number of early tests.

Deliverables Presentations ›› Steering Group presentations on each of the projects were created and each team member planned a way to present their project and prototype one on one to the Steering Group members to get their advice and support. Lack Of’s ‘Action Plan’ ›› The team members designed prototypes, which would test their project, and began the process of making them real. ›› The team members created a plan of action for how to implement their prototype, which outlined the logistics involved and the timeframe. Book Club ›› Mary brought a whole different style of book, presenting and reading inspirational extracts from ‘Journeys of Courage’ by Joy Carol. Radio ›› Week 7 – ‘Love the City : Out Loud!' was planned, interviews were recorded and the show was broadcast.

Week 23 8 Prototypes – 2 March 7 to 11, 2011

107

Book Club ›› Lindsay read, presented, and engaged the team in understanding 'Who’s Your City?' by Richard Florida. Radio ›› Week 8 – ‘Prototyping Lack Of’s… Part 1” was planned, interviews were recorded and the show was broadcast.

Week 24 8 Prototypes – 3 March 14 to 18, 2011 The team ensured all the logistics were in place for the prototypes to run smoothly. Activities ›› Continued testing of prototypes ›› Preparation and logistics for prototypes ›› Inspirational presentation by Neil McCabe ›› Interview with journalist, Rich Bailey ›› Book Club – John ›› Radio, week nine Visitors & conversations ›› Neil McCabe is a Dublin City Fire Fighter and transformed Kilbarrack Fire Station into the world’s first carbon neutral fire

station, which is the flagship project for DCC Sustainability Report. Deliverables Prototype continuation ›› The team members continued to produce their prototype. ›› A number of the prototypes went live in the City, in the form of workshops and processes, engaging with people and getting stakeholder buy-in. Book Club ›› John took on the three diverse books ‘Recycle’ by Moira and Nicholas Hankinson; ‘In search of Myths and Heroes’ by Michael Wood; and ‘505 Great Leaders, Scientists, Inventors, Sports People, Stage Performers’ by Robert Frederick. Radio ›› Week 9 – ‘Prototyping Lack Of’s…Part 2” was planned, interviews were recorded and the show was broadcast.

Week 25 8 Prototypes – 4 March 21 to 25, 2011 The team tested a number of their prototypes in the working area.

›› 30 stakeholders joined a creativity network. Graphics and publicity ›› Poster to advertise the prototype extravaganza. ›› Badges ‘Yes to Markets’. ›› 70 volunteers were brought into the project. ›› Map of 'Prototype Extravaganza' locations generated in Google Maps. Radio ›› Week 10 – ‘Prototyping Lack Of’s… Part 3” was planned, interviews were recorded and the show was broadcast.

Week 26 Prototype Extravaganza March 28 to 31, 2011 The team displayed the 8 prototypes to the working area and city, for people to interact, give feedback and re-imagine the potential of the area. Activities ›› Prototypes unveiled to City ›› Graduation ceremony ›› Radio, week 11

10 Enterprises/10 Days/10 Tests A laboratory of transformational enterprise models, which are open to being shaped or taken on by visitors to the laboratory space. 11 Urban Living Engaging volunteers and locals in creating flexible street furniture from recycled local materials to create a relaxing space to pause, sit, walk, reflect and chat. Visitors & conversations ›› Steering Group meeting Deliverables Prototypes ›› 8 prototypes were created which tested 8 concepts for the city. ›› They were showcased on the 30th March around the Markets Area, in a 'Prototype Extravaganza' day that opened the project up to the city.

Activities ›› Continued testing of prototypes ›› Preparation and logistics for prototypes ›› Inspirational presentation by Damini Kumar ›› Radio, week ten Visitors & conversations ›› Damini Kumar is Director of Design and Creativity at NUI Maynooth and European Ambassador for Creativity. She began her career by inventing the world’s first non-drip tea pot. Deliverables Prototype continuation ›› Team members continued to produce the elements of their prototypes. ›› 19 stories of the Market Area were recorded. ›› 17 pieces of furniture were built. ›› 25 city ‘carers’ were photographed and transformed into giant graphics for pasting in the city. ›› A pop-up park began to grow organically. ›› A corner space in St. Michan’s flat was reclaimed. ›› Plans and permissions were made for 350 metres of reclaiming streets. ›› 10 models, 10 diagrams and 10 posters of enterprises were created.

06 Broadcasting People Recording the stories of people’s love of the Market’s Area and broadcasting them hugely and publicly around the area and the city.

Presentations ›› The Steering Group visited the prototypes and each team member presented their work, from concept through development and production through to prototype and future vision. Prototypes included : 01 City Works The stories of the people who make the city tick, showcased via large posters pasted around the Markets Area and a people library event, where citizens could borrow the people who are a part of the city. 02 Pimp Your Pavement Turning a desolate plaza space into a pop up organic garden which passersby and locals could interact with and shape. 03 Creativity Network Bringing people in the city together and linking them in making creative projects happen that benefit the city. 04 Golden Path 250 metres of urban experimentation, reclaiming street space for pedestrians and seating, creating spaces where people can stroll, sit and relax. 05 Microcosmic Intervention Turning a tiny corner of the St. Michan’s Flats complex into a pleasant urban oasis with seating planting and moss walls.

108

Project reports ›› Individually, the team members wrote up how they developed their original ‘Lack Of’ and took it through to the prototype stage. ›› The team members documented the prototypes, their successes, failures and outcomes. ›› They recorded feedback from the people who interacted with them to understand how the projects could impact the city going forward. Radio ›› Week 11 – ‘Concluding Love the City’ was planned, interviews were recorded and the show was broadcast.

Designing Dublin day by day

Designing Dublin graphic material

Designing Dublin book club

Designing Dublin speakers & collaborators

Designing Dublin processes

Designing Dublin '100 Exctiting things you did not know about the city centre' book and exhibition

Prototype Extravaganza With the testing of their 8 prototypes, the team concluded DD 2.0 – Love the City. A ‘Prototype Extravaganza’ was held on 30th of March 2011 in the Markets Area. Over 300 people joined the team on the day. Following is a detailed narrative of each prototype.

Prototype 08 Creativity Network Creating bang encounters that influence action

Prototype 07 Urban Living A destination place to pause, caffeinate, sit, walk, reflect and chat

Prototype 06 Broadcasting People A snapshot of the stories and people of the Markets Area

Prototype 05 Pimp your Pavement An interactive pop-up park

Prototype 04 Golden Path 250 metres of urban experimentation

Prototype 03 City Works Showing how people are connected to each other and their city

Prototype 02 Microcosmic Intervention Turning a tiny corner into a pleasant oasis

Prototype 01 10 Enterprises/10 Days/10 Tests Fresh enterprises transform our city

08 05

Prototype locations

Prototype 01

10 ENTERPRISES/ 10 DAYS/ 10 TESTS Fresh enterprises transform our city

CAN DUBLIN LEVERAGE ALTERNATIVE TYPES OF ENTERPRISE TO TRANSFORM DECLINING AREAS OF THE CITY?

Concept

A Finding needs in the Markets Area

B Area transformation

Applying open source & new business models

How? By combining the needs of an area with new enterprise models currently succeeding internationally. If you ask people what they want and listen carefully for what is missing, new potential opportunities and needs will arise. By merging these needs with new business models, based on established businesses that are succeeding both domestically and internationally, exciting combinations will emerge. If we address enterprise in this way it will create the capacity for enterprise to transform an area â&#x20AC;&#x201D; providing new opportunities, growing local community, empowering, educating and fostering entrepreneurship amongst all citizens in the City.

132

PROTOTYPE OVERVIEW

2,900 examples

Finding opportunities

Hot-Or-Not survey

Site Study & Open Days

A Page 137

Page 141

Page 143

Page 146

Living Laboratory & feedback

10 needs & 10 models

Case studies

Living Laboratory stakeholder process

B 10 Page 147

Page 161

Page 180

Page 183

PROTOTYPE INSIGHTS EXPLORE A WIDER GAMUT OF BUSINESS TYPES Currently the markets building is the sole focus of enterprise in the area. In contrast people have a desire for greater variety and niche businesses.

GROW BUSINESS FOR THE LOCAL AREA THAT CAN SERVICE THE LOCAL COMMUNITY Retaining local authenticity is important to the people of the area. The approach of imposing a certain business agenda, such as a dot com district or financial services in the area, would not respond to peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wishes of keeping the area authentic and diverse.

135

USE BUSINESSES AS A LEAPFROG MECHANISM TO ADD VIBRANCY TO THE AREA Areas can be revitalised through new, small, local businesses such as the example of JĂŚgersborggade in Copenhagen, where small, alternative business types create activity, a sense of community and city wide interest, drawing people from across the city to enjoy the offerings of the area.

THINK ALTERNATIVELY ABOUT HOW TO NURTURE NEW BUSINESSES Start easing regulations, creating support networks and incentives for start-up businesses. An area that facilitates pop-up enterprises where regulations and barriers to entry could be removed for a short period of time, would allow businesses to grow in a more flexible, innovative way.

136

Discovering needs In order to discover the needs of the people living, working or passing through the Markets Area, we ran a series of discovery processes

A. OPEN DAYS Two days of street engagement.

B. Site Study Two weeks of research into the varying aspects of the Markets Area. Topics included â&#x20AC;&#x201C; people, history, built environment, sustainability, etc.

138

We heard At our first ‘Open Day', a day of street engagement, we talked to 170 people either living or walking through the Markets Area. Some of the thoughts, which we heard during the ‘Open Day’ included :

THE AREA HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE A NEW TEMPLE BAR, BUT MORE AUTHENTIC

Lots of vacant units…A good way around that is to let them out to artists and musicians

APPROX 60% OF BUSINESS IS FROM FOREIGN NATIONALS

Just bring in people — Anyone!

THERE'S LOTS OF OPPORTUNITY FOR NICHE OR VERY SPECIALISED BUSINESS

No-one takes any interest in us down here any more

139

Would like to see the area retain its sense of character… use the existing architecture

We need competition. Without competition, there’s no market

There are facilities for ‘at risk’ children, but nothing much for those above the threshold

Need some place to sit, eat and meet

Free up laws so people can sell their own products

The markets are an unknown – not appealing to enter

More local produce and businesses wants to be included in the market

No one knows about this Market Area

140

Open Days + Site Study + 2,900 examples

The mixture of needs that we heard from people who had varying types of stakes in the area on the ‘Open Days’, along with the ‘Site Study’ research that we conducted, helped to inform a diagram showing the key elements and relationships of business types in the Markets Area.

To better understand what types of businesses could be tested in the Markets Area, the assets of the area, such as services in the area, shops, transport and community supports, were identified. The people of the area, such as passersby, professionals, residents and market workers were also listed. Additionally, to think more broadly about business while creating the diagram of opportunities, the 1700 examples created by DD1.0 and 1200 examples created by DD2.0 were reviewed, pulling relevant examples out.

141

ASSETS History Garda Belong To Bradog Carpark Architects DIT Bolton Street Artist studios Markets Dublin bikes Luas MACRO Legal profession Playground Residential blocks Wholesale

PEOPLE Bank Tattoo parlours Dry cleaners Credit union DCC Christian mission Empty units Cafe Restaurants Get Up and Grow Army bargains Soup kitchen Homeless shelter Hairdressers ABC Fishing Tackle Schools Pubs

Socialisers DCC officers SARI HACE MACRO Christian mission Service workers Shoppers Tourists Old residents New residents Foreign nationals Bargain hunters Parents Elderly Disabled Children Artists Youth

Students Homeless Pedestrians Cyclists Drivers Luas users Market suppliers Market shoppers Delivery workers Market workers Wholesale workers Solicitors Garda Teacher Professionals

OPPORTUNITY TOURISM FOREIGN NATIONALS MARKETS DIVERSITY OF PRODUCE CORNER SHOP ANCHOR LEGAL FIRM SERVICES FOR PROFESSIONALS COMMUNITY SPACE SOCIALISING ENGAGING THE PASSERSBY PARENTS & CHILDREN DIVERSITY OF BUSINESS SPORTS & PLAY SERVICES FOR YOUTH GRAB & GO CULTURE RECREATION THERAPY FOR PROFESSIONAL PUBLIC SEATING OR GATHERING SPACE

Over 80 business opportunities were identified These opportunities stemmed from the combined research of ‘Open Days’, ‘Site Study’ and the overall identification of new business opportunities for the area. Businesses opportunities included : ›› Rubio’s and Chipotle : gourmet–to–go restaurants, USA 2009 ›› Hotel Ballymun, Dublin, Ireland 2007 ›› The Toddler Café, USA ongoing ›› DIY Hummus Shops, Berlin 2004 ›› Build-A-Bear Workshop, Worldwide ongoing

143

Over 25 business models were identified The opportunity to research, find and apply existing successful and international business models that are aligned with the aims of the project and the opportunities of the area offered a new area of investigation for the project. Business models included : ›› T hreadless : A community based T-shirt company, Chicago, USA ›› T ailoring Micro-Enterprises : Students training in sewing and tailoring. Upon completion of training students are loaned a sewing machine for a period of 2 years to give them the opportunity to start a business, Uganda. ›› R othar : Reuses and recycles scrap bicycles, reducing waste and providing community-based education to promote social inclusion, Dublin, Ireland ›› F umbally Exchange : Working space for entrepreneurs to network, collaborate and grow their businesses, Dublin, Ireland ›› T arget Pop-Up Shops : Pop-up shops stacked with quirky and exciting items, throughout USA. ›› C o–operative of Eco Woodworkers and Designers : local initiative where designers create furniture made from recycled wood and local wood, Burgundy, France

144

From these findings ›› A pproximately 30 business types were short-listed for the Markets Area. ›› T he team voted on which of the 30 businesses would be needed in the Market’s Area. The criteria for voting was based on what they had heard from people during the ‘Site Study and ‘Open Days’. ›› T he process was concluded with a short-list of 15 businesses. The 15 businesses were selected to represent each opportunity that had been identified and to give an indicator of the general thematic business opportunities in the area, ie food service, recreation, children, creative industries. iscussing these business opportunities with the team D revealed a number of insights based on the conversations conducted either during the ‘Open Days’ or the ‘Site Study’: ›› A local bar owner has been discussing the potential of turning the Markets Area into a hub for music, given the vacant warehouses and the lack of people in the area after hours. ›› T eenagers in the area are not just looking for an afterschool group, they also desire an entrepreneurial outlet. ›› T he tag of ‘gourmet’ did not fit in with the character of the area. ›› T here are a no local supermarkets in the Markets Area, but several large chains on peripheral streets.

145

Hot-or-Not survey A survey was drawn up to find out from the Markets Area users, residents and passersby what enterprises they would use and support in the area. The 15 business types were listed, and respondents were asked to indicate — Which enterprises do you need in the Markets Area?. On the survey, ‘Hot’ indicated that they felt the business was important, ‘Not’ indicated that they felt the business was not relevant to the area.

Over 30 surveys were collected from the Markets Area. The survey indicated that a café was most desired, followed by a bakery, language exchange group and local supermarket. This reflected the importance of food in the area and the lack of facilities for professionals, locals and city users to sit, eat and meet. It also verified the high numbers of foreign nationals using the Markets Area and that the needs for exchanging languages and culture were not being met. Enterprises, which were unpopular, were ones, which were not necessary for satisfying everyday needs, such as cookery school, craft shop and petting zoo. The crèche, teenagers café/after-school group and music rehearsal space were not marked as frequently on the survey. Talking with the people using the Markets Area revealed a number of additional insights : › Professionals involved in the Four Courts wanted a stationary shop, as the one servicing the Four Courts was over-priced and poorly stocked. › Residents discussed the lack of services and supports for teenagers and young people in the area. › Accessibility to every type of service to the community was a concern. There is a gym in Smithfield but teenagers and people without the financial means are often excluded. › Price is a major factor in the use of businesses in the area. If any business was to set up shop in the Markets Area, it must offer good value for money.

146

OPEN SOURCE, NEW BUSINESS MODELS CASE STUDIES In part B of the research, a set of existing and successful business models were identified. They served the purpose of informing the project and providing examples of models that were combining local needs with a new dimension of business.

148

“There is a growing appetite in industrialised countries for enterprises that merge profit-making with morality and a dramatic rise in the use of digital online technology for social networking. The two trends highlight an increasing attachment to social value in business and thirst for a new social layer to everyday life. They mark a change in the way in which we choose to organize and live our lives, with implications for for-profit and non-profit businesses alike. The two trends recom mend a new emphasis in urban policy and planning towards embracing ‘citizen demand’, aggregating and

using it to make places that unfold over time, through programmes of low-cost capital investment They suggest that there’s value in taking a more interactive approach to the design and development of our cities, one geared to multiple groups, relationships, entrepreneurial networks and modular use of sites. Think of it as ‘venture urbanism’. Call it ‘open source’ place-making.” 'Open Source Place-Making' David Barrie & Associates

THE PEOPLE'S SUPERMARKET – LONDON A social supermarket, which is run by it’s members. Members pay £25 to join, donate 4 hours of their time a month to staffing the shop and in return they receive a 10% discount on all purchases. The shop unifies the community, promotes healthy and local produce, up-skills members and provides training and educational opportunities. www.thepeoplessupermarket.org

152

826 NYC – New York A not-for-profit organisation that provides support to students aged 6 to 18. With a volunteer base of over 1,000 teachers, writers and journalists, 826NYC provides free dropin tutoring, after-school workshops, help with the English language and assistance with student publications. The shop front is called ‘The Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company’ where capes, grappling hooks and masks are sold to fund the organisation. www.826nyc.org

154

Q Café – Seattle Aside from producing great coffee, this neighbourhood café is committed to improving the local community and global world. They have three core commitments: 1 Partner with roasters or providers that sell direct trade coffee and exhibit a growing commitment and relationship with local coffee farmers and environment. 2 10% of all cafe sales go to local and global non-profit organizations. Each month’s recipient of the 10% is also highlighted through the cafe website to raise awareness. 3 Host events — fundraisers, film screenings, benefit music shows, discussions groups — to help raise awareness on local and global causes and issues. www.qcafe.org 156

Sinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shop â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Belfast An Irish Times article was written in December 2010, which describes the impact a small corner shop has had on bridging the gap between the two communities in inner-city Belfast. Sitting on the corner of a largely Catholic and Protestant area, the shop supplies locals with newspapers, cigarettes and other daily essentials. Aside from this basic function, it has adopted a role in the healing process between the two communities, acting as a place where people can meet on neutral territory. http://tinyurl.com/63m862b

158

Open Source Place-Making – David Barrie & Associates A report produced by David Barrie & Associates, entitled ‘Open Source Place Making’ supported the concept of enterprise as an engine that can add vibrancy to an area. The report explored a new approach to planning based on making places that grow local communities in tandem with enterprises. The document gives examples throughout the world of where growth in social enterprise has grown people, as well as place. http://tinyurl.com/6aoovj8

160

10/10/10 Living Laboratory

1. A laboratory of transform足 ational enterprise models was constructed The interior of one of the warehouses in the Markets Area was transformed into a laboratory where the 10 enterprise models were displayed.

162

laboratory of transform足ational enterprise PROTOTYPE Location 01 Little Green Street

06 / Food Revolutionaries

05 / Language Exchange

How can young, talented people be given the opportunity to provide the City with quality, competitive meals?

How can the exchange of languages nurture connections between diverse communities in the City?

07 / Gym Together

08 / Kickstart Theatre

How can a gym stimulate a healthy City by encouraging people to support one another in maintaining a fit and active lifestyle?

How can a theatre group open up participation in the arts and promote local creativity in the City?

163

04 / Market Wheels How can a movable market make citizens happy, healthy and engaged by bringing the produce of the Market’s to the City?

03 / Smoothie Champions How can a smoothie shop act as a stimulus to facilitate the people of Dublin to become champions of local initiatives?

02 / Conversation Bakery How can a bakery nurture links between Dublin City Council and its citizens, while growing a more engaged, open and collaborative City?

01 / People’s Café How can a café facilitate unemployed people to create and run businesses that provide local food to the people living in the City?

09 / After School Shop

10 / Jamming Space

How can an after-school shop educate a new generation of confident, ambitious and entrepreneurial young people in the City? 164

How can a rehearsal studio grow music in the City by providing a space for musicians to practice and share their skills?

01 People’s Café How can a café facilitate unemployed people to create and run businesses that provide local food to the people living in the City? The ‘People’s Café’ benefits unemployed people who are interested in up-skilling by learning to make food that uses local produce. Customers of the café pay what they can for the food and the funds are invested in paying staff and overheads. Benefits :

01 / People’s Café How can a café facilitate unemployed people to create and run businesses that provide local food to the people living in the City?

›› This model could bring together a diverse group of people in the City to share in the café experience. ›› T he model offers the people of the area an opportunity to grow their own business and share in the rewards. The model is based on similar restaurants, which have achieved great success in London, New York and Australia.

10/10/10

10 Enterprises/10 Days/10 Tests Fresh enterprises transform our City

02 Conversation Bakery

02 / Conversation Bakery How can a bakery nurture links between Dublin City Council and its citizens, while growing a more engaged, open and collaborative City?

How can a bakery nurture links between Dublin City Council and its citizens, while growing a more engaged, open and collaborative City? ‘Conversation Bakery’ benefits a baker who is interested in running a bakery and the markets Dublin City Council Area Office who has space for a bakery and needs innovative ways to communicate and interact with the local community. Benefits : ›› T he baker provides a service to the people in the area and DCC provides the baker with a premise.

10/10/10

10 Enterprises/10 Days/10 Tests Fresh enterprises transform our City

›› T he Area Office gains new ways to communicate with the people in the area and grow relationships through the bakery, based on equality and open collaboration. ›› T he bakery creates a neutral territory where citizens are happy to go, purchase baked goods, while influencing how the City is run.

03 Smoothie Champions How can a smoothie shop act as a stimulus to facilitate the people of Dublin to become champions of local initiatives?

03 / Smoothie Champions How can a smoothie shop act as a stimulus to facilitate the people of Dublin to become champions of local initiatives?

When a smoothie is purchased in the smoothie shop, the customer can choose which local initiative they would like to pledge 10% of the cost to. The project champions receive the funds for the local initiative when a pre-set financial target is met. Benefits : ›› This model connects customers with positive actions happening in the area, lends financial backing and promotes community projects. ›› It raises the profile of local initiatives, grows their momentum and empowers the citizens to create positive change in the Markets Area. This is based on the Q Café model in Seattle, USA.

10/10/10

10 Enterprises/10 Days/10 Tests Fresh enterprises transform our City

04 Market Wheels How can a movable market make citizens happy, healthy and engaged by bringing the produce of the Market’s to the City?

04 / Market Wheels How can a movable market make citizens happy, healthy and engaged by bringing the produce of the Market’s to the City?

‘Market Wheels’ benefits market traders who are interested in selling an exciting and broad-range of their produce to the wider City. Benefits: ›› ' Market Wheels' provides the traders with the opportunity to sell their produce in prime locations of the City Centre while publicising the Markets Area. ›› ' Market Wheels' can reconnect people in the City with locally grown produce by creating a simplified food distribution network between the markets and consumers. ›› I t will also serve to grow an awareness of the Markets Area in the City and bring people in to the Markets building to experience the fresh produce. This model is based on the Farm on Wheels in Los Angeles, USA

10/10/10

10 Enterprises/10 Days/10 Tests Fresh enterprises transform our City

05 Language Exchange How can the exchange of languages nurture connections between diverse communities in the City?

05 / Language Exchange How can the exchange of languages nurture connections between diverse communities in the City?

In the City there are people who want to exchange languages with one another. There are also spaces in the City, which needs customers. ‘Language Exchange’ mixes the idea of purchasing goods with the exchange of languages. Benefits: ›› I t creates a platform for people to share languages, learn from each other’s cultures while supporting a local business through their trade. ›› B y growing relationships across the many diverse communities, ‘Language Exchange’ can create greater empathy, awareness and respect amongst citizens in the City. This model is based on the Language Gym in Hamburg, Germany and the Ilac Centre in Dublin.

10/10/10

10 Enterprises/10 Days/10 Tests Fresh enterprises transform our City

06 / Food Revolutionaries How can young, talented people be given the opportunity to provide the City with quality, competitive meals?

06 Food Revolutionaries How can young, talented people be given the opportunity to provide the City with quality, competitive meals? ‘Food Revolutionaries’ benefits 6 teams of chef’s studying Culinary Arts by giving each team 2 months to produce quality, competitive meals from 1 location. The teams compete over the course of a year to make the most delicious and profitable food. Benefits:

10/10/10

10 Enterprises/10 Days/10 Tests Fresh enterprises transform our City

›› T his model creates intense competition amongst talented young chefs to serve both local customers and to draw people in from across the City. ›› I t tests how the Markets Area can grow flexible entrepreneurship in a new generation of young students, while providing real world culinary experience.

10/10/10 Living Laboratory space

07 Gym Together How can a gym stimulate a healthy City by encouraging people to support one another in maintaining a fit and active lifestyle?

07/ Gym Together How can a gym stimulate a healthy City by encouraging people to support one another in maintaining a fit and active lifestyle?

There are many people in the City who want to maintain a fit and healthy lifestyle. This gym model uses a co-op structure, where people donate 4 hours a month to staffing the gym, receive reduced fees for frequent attendance and members decide on what type of gym they want. Benefits: ›› T his creates a network of gym users who support one another in keeping fit. ›› T his model grows greater collaboration between people, incentivises maintaining a healthy lifestyle and empowers people to take ownership in the Markets Area. This is based on a Food Co-op structure, such as The People’s Supermarket in London and Park Slope Co-op in New York.

10/10/10

10 Enterprises/10 Days/10 Tests Fresh enterprises transform our City

08 Kickstart Theatre How can a theatre group open up participation in the arts and promote local creativity in the City?

08 / Kickstart Theatre How can a theatre group open up participation in the arts and promote local creativity in the City?

‘Kickstart Theatre’ creates new relationships between theatre lovers and local theatre groups. On one hand, there are members of an established theatre group who are passionate about the power of theatre and want to become more involved in theatre groups. On the other hand, there is a small local theatre group who need support and investment. Benefits: ›› T his model brings together those passionate about theatre to invest in the local theatre group, which in turn provides rewards to its investors.

10/10/10

10 Enterprises/10 Days/10 Tests Fresh enterprises transform our City

›› T his model opens up the theatrical process to supporters of theatre in the City, allowing them to influence how plays are produced and learn from the production process. ›› I t also grows new theatre in the City and creates a sustainable model for local theatre groups. I t is based on the Stolen Chair Theatre Company in New York, USA

09 / After School Shop How can an after-school shop educate a new generation of confident, ambitious and entrepreneurial young people in the City?

09 After School Shop How can an afterschool shop educate a new generation of confident, ambitious and entrepreneurial young people in the City? In the Markets Area, professionals need a stationary shop and teenagers need an after-school group and entrepreneurial opportunities. This model brings teenagers together to run a stationary shop, which answers the need of the professionals. The professionals, in return, mentor the afterschool group and support the teenagers. Benefits: ›› I t creates a positive cycle for both teenagers and professionals, growing the abilities and ambitions of young people in the City. ›› I t opens up entrepreneurship in the City and creates powerful connections between the youth in the Markets Area and potential role models in the City. This model is based on the 826NYC model in Brooklyn, New York.

10/10/10

10 Enterprises/10 Days/10 Tests Fresh enterprises transform our City

10 Jamming Space 10 / Jamming Space How can a rehearsal studio grow music in the City by providing a space for musicians to practice and share their skills?

How can a rehearsal studio grow music in the City by providing a space for musicians to practice and share their skills? In the City musicians are often unconnected and in need of a place to rehearse. ‘Jamming Space’ invites musicians into a space so that they can rehearse and also share their skills with aspiring musicians in the local community. Benefits:

10/10/10

10 Enterprises/10 Days/10 Tests Fresh enterprises transform our City

›› T his model provides the musicians with a place to rehearse and the people in the Markets Area with an opportunity to learn new skills from the musicians. ›› T his model cultivates the exchange of music and skills; it builds new relationships in the Markets Area and grows trust amongst citizens in the City.

2. Possible enterprise stakeholders were invited to a workshop process For this project to have a long-term impact in the Markets Area, it was essential to begin finding project champions. The ambition was that these project champions would take one or a number of the 10 enterprises to test them further in the Markets Area. In the longer term, the idea is to roll out these new business types across the City. Over 60 people were invited â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they included key community figures, city-wide entrepreneurs, figures leading exciting start-ups and people who have the role of defining the parameters of how business functions in the City.

180

The process included five key steps Select your business 01 When the group gathered, the facilitators held up a sign saying – ‘Are you interested in…’ for each of the ten proposed businesses. The attendees then choose and moved towards the business they were interested in learning more about or giving their thoughts to. Introduce the model 02 Five minutes were given for the facilitator to introduce the business type and to answer questions. Write down the first things that comes into your head 03 The attendees then had three minutes to write on post-its the first thoughts that came into their heads about the business types. What do we need to do in order to make this enterprise a reality? 04 The attendees then had twelve minutes to brainstorm (who, what, why, where) and write on post-its how the business could become a reality. Would you or someone you know be interested in making this business a reality? 05 The attendees were given two minutes to either write their name on the wall or the name of someone they suggested. The process was repeated three times at intervals of 25 minutes. As a conclusion, each facilitator gave a brief summary of the key advancements in the enterprise during the process – insights, directions and people who signed up.

181

Process outcomes included › Approximately 20 people attended the process and gave their time to developing the projects. The people that attended were mostly people involved in enterprise in the City, experienced in running businesses and in understanding what it takes to start a business. › Each enterprise grew from a concept to a more fully formed business model. They added possible directions, people to contact, information about the business logistics and in some cases developed a bigger picture for the enterprise. › The enterprises that showed most potential for profit drew greater levels of interest. The group verified that a number of the proposed enterprises are feasible and have the potential to be very successful. A number of enterprises were less well received such as Kickstart Theatre and Jamming space. › Very few people were interested in signing up to champion the enterprises. This may have been because, in general, they all had their own business interests and are not engaged with the Markets Area on a general basis. They also are not looking for new enterprise opportunities, but rather to network and share their knowledge. However, Brendan from Lilliput stores expressed interest in 'Market Wheels'. Archipelago were interested in the guardianship of all ten projects.

182

Feedback Throughout the ‘Prototype Extravaganza’ on 30th March, a steady stream of people visited the laboratory. Their feedback was recorded both through video and feedback sheets.

“ 01. All ten ideas are very workable, I feel some should be in place already eg language exchange. 02. Without local involvement and ownership it will not work, people need to be involved to take responsibility. 03. I couldn’t identify any group in particular but local residents should be the central stakeholders.” “ 01. The enterprises to me show a diversity in positive action that offer the surrounding public with a creative output. 02. Yes, the approach seems to be taking small steps developing to suit the community, to result in a more sustainable model. 03. Yes more people from colleges would be interested.”

183

RECORDED Feedback

“ People can identify with a project and go along with it, I think it’s good!”

“ There are a lot of interesting ideas here. These are relatively viable projects. Are you able to get in the people who will do these things?”

“ It’s the way things have to go forward, Some of the ideas area immediately more workable than others. Each has their own sense of complexity. Looser regulations and tenancy agreements. What is impressive is the inclusion of two or more, it shows that collaboration is the way forward.”

“It is very important that people roll in behind ideas like this and make it happen. Its as much about social change as it is about business strategy. These areas have a lot of potential, they are a great place in the City and quite often they don’t get seen and no one knows they’re here. Lots of people have great ideas but its when people actually get together and start to do stuff that things actually happen. Its great to have a stimulus for people to think that those ideas are OK to have and then providing them with the belief in themselves that those ideas are achievable. I look forward to seeing the changes in the City as a result.”

“ A number of the projects relate to the essential business of the area – food. The language exchange works in other cities, and people get a lot out of them. Some of the best and most interesting projects are those done on a small budget…There is lot going on here, it’s just about getting people to put their money where their mouth is.”

How do we begin? The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;10 Enterprises/10 Days/10 Testsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; project needs to happen in the Markets Area. By transforming the approach to business in the area The culture of the businesses in the area seems traditional and hostile to new people or change. Business in done in the Markets Area as it always has been done. We need to help business owners see the breadth of opportunities and the growing needs in the area. By changing the rules and regulations Outside of the markets building; there is no flexibility in business with short-term leases of 1 year at rates that are unfeasible to most start-ups. By building on this first iteration The 10/10/10 project identified 10 needs in the Markets Area and matched these needs with 10 enterprise models working internationally. 10 sketches were created, which illustrate how enterprise can transform an area by providing new opportunities, showing the range of possibilities, growing the community as it grows enterprise, empowering and educating the young and unemployed, creating new links between the City and its citizens, growing cultural activities, creating competition, widening the focus of business from the Markets building towards new possibilities, answering needs and bringing people into the Markets Area.

187

By calling out for business champions Divide the projects to conquer. Rather than liaising with people who are interested in enterprise in general, an effective way of finding project champions could be to target people in the Markets Area who are passionate about each enterprise and who are interested and invested in the local area, such as residents, support workers or entrepreneurs in the area. These champions could be teamed with experts or guides such as entrepreneurs in the City. By taking a risk The Markets Area can show how new enterprises can be developed with greater complexity, flexibility, by starting small and iterating many times. It is a concept, which has scale across the City. The lessons from trialing it in the Markets Area can change not only how the Markets people thing about their business, but how the City approaches business.

188

Prototype 02

MICROCOSMIC INTERVENTION

Turning a tiny corner into a pleasant oasis

Can we ensure people have a sense of responsibility for, and ownership of, their city?

Concept

CONTROL

RESPONSIBILITY

How? By offering people power they will take the responsibility for bettering their city. Responsibility and control are two sides of the same coin, with one feeding into the other cyclically. Ownership is not something that can be bestowed on someone. As a concept, it is merely the side effect of someone (or a group) having agency (control) and a perceived duty of care (responsibility).

192

PROTOTYPE OVERVIEW

Prototype insights

Project concept

Page 192

Building an idea

Page 195

Page 202

Prototype

Second iteration

First iteration

01 02 Page 205

Page 209

Page 214

PROTOTYPE INSIGHTS Given the complexity of the topic of ownership/citizenship we began by understanding the reasons why people in the Markets Area, and probably throughout most of the City, are hesitant about taking responsibility for their surroundings. Following is our exploration of some of these reasons that were gathered from a combination of what we heard during the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Open Daysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and our own internal brainstorm.

01 Lack of understanding of civil rights In theory the council/political system is there to ensure the best care for the citizens of Dublin, but whether or not services and schemes are utilised by citizens depends on their understanding of what is available to them and how to go about availing of them.

195

02 Me & mine “Me and mine” attitudes are rife throughout Dublin and they can be seen with particular clarity in the Markets Area. There is a certain feeling that one’s responsibility ends at the doorstep. A walk through the area shows that a person may be extremely house-proud, but this pride in their surroundings ends at the front door. Their sense of who/what they have responsibility for extends to their families but not really to the community beyond. This is another extremely difficult problem to address, but the cooperation of neighbours and the building of tight communities is a step towards a solution. Members of the Market Studios (located in the Markets Area) told us about their windows being frequently broken and their front door being constantly kicked open until one of their members began an art project with students in the local school, whereupon the vandalism “mysteriously lessened”.

196

03 Tacit permissions This point relates back to an unspoken understanding of what you are/are not allowed to do in a public space. In general, the presumption is to automatically err on the side of actions in public being overly restricted. Possibly stemming from a societal structure riddled with â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;tsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (no parking, no loitering, no ball games, post no bills, etc.) The implication stretches even to the presumed prohibition of positive interventions in public space. A good example of this is the fact that even planting flowers in a public place is a borderline radical act (see the guerilla gardening movement). There is no easy solution to rectifying this deep-set mindset, but it is obvious that unspoken permission must be given for people to feel that they can take ownership of their local environment.

197

04 Learned helplessness If a person is not offered control or responsibility for their own well-being, eventually the lines of what they are or are not permitted to do become blurred. For example, if your tap was leaking or your gutter was broken and it was your own house, you would no doubt fix the problem, if it was within your capacity to do so. In a rented house, the tendency would be to complain to the landlord to fix it. This, of course, is especially evident on a macro scale with council tenants.

05 Collective good When we don’t know our neighbours, we don’t really care about them. Hence we think about what’s good for us as individuals, not what’s good for us collectively. We need to collectively think about the bigger picture and realise that our dealings with others can be a non-zero-sum game; we can all win.

198

06 Individualism vs. collectivism It’s important to hit a balance with this one. It’s not all or nothing, ideally we want a society with the best of both; citizens who can stand up for themselves and take a cando DIY attitude, but still understand their place within a collective society, can band together and look out for the collective good.

07 Autonomy Fundamental to anyone’s satisfaction within society. Self-control and self-governance – independence, even if only within a limited, personal sphere.

199

08 Improved conditions vs. stability Just a small side note on the problems of not having control over your surroundings. If a public housing scheme needs renovation, then the tenants are temporarily or permanently re-housed elsewhere. While renovation may be necessary, the trauma of a forced move should not be underestimated. After all, it may be unscientific and subjective, but moving house is consistently listed in the top ten most stressful life events.

09 More power You really do have more power than you think!

200

Ownership/ Citizenship We also discovered that for someone (or a group) to take ownership of something, certain factors have to be present :

One must be able to consciously and objectively recognise it. For example : A dripping tap in your own home

You may identify a problem, you may have permission to address it, but if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care, why would you ever do something? For example : The dripping tap is driving you crazy

Level 2

DO YOU HAVE THE RESOURCES TO SOLVE IT?

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO SOLVE IT?

Level 1

IS IT WORTH YOUR WHILE?

One may need to get help from the right people to solve the problem

Overt permission = you are permitted to perform a certain action. Tacit permission = setting a precedent or implying a permission. Irrelevant permission = someone decides that permission for a certain action is irrelevant to them. For example : You are the owner of the house so you can fix the tap

One must be able to consciously and objectively recognise it. For example : A dripping tap in your own home

DO YOU ACTIVELY WANT TO SOLVE IT? One must be able to consciously and objectively recognise it. For example : A dripping tap in your own home

201

Level 4

HAS THE PROBLEM OR OPPORTUNITY BEEN IDENTIFIED?

Level 3

DO YOU FEEL YOU HAVE THE PERMISSION?

Building an idea The initial instinct around the idea of ownership/citizenship was to try and mount an awareness campaign encouraging people to take action to identify and solve problems in their area â&#x20AC;&#x201C; individually and communally â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and to facilitate these actions as best we could. Following is one possible scenario for the awareness campaign.

202

203

The awareness campaign did not result in a prototype friendly idea, instead it served to deepen the concept behind the ‘Microcosmic Intervention’ project. The next step was to develop a process and prototype outcome that would engage the residents of the Markets Area in both thinking about and doing something about ‘ownership’.

204

FIRST ITERATION As a first iteration, post the analysis of ownership and the initial idea stage, we decided to hold two co-design furniture workshop with the residents of Father Matthew Square and St Michanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flats on successive weekends.

Idea

Public Planting & Outdoor Furniture Design At the MACRO Centre – Monday 14th March Bring along

The idea was to ask participants to bring their favourite plant and to spend four hours designing outdoor furniture themed around their plants using drawing and modelling materials. After the workshop, the models would be fabricated into real scale pieces and installed on site in Father Matthew Square and the communal space behind St Michan’s Flats.

Everything

your favourit

else will be

e plant.

provided.

All ages wel

come.

Over the next three weeks, look out for Designing Dublin, a group of enthusiastic and positive people who will be trying out new ways of doing things in the Markets Area. We have 11 projects, Tara and Micheál’s are just 2! They involve planting and building with the outlook of creating a wider ecology and pleasant seating experiences in the Markets Area.

The installation would be treated as an exhibition with both groups encouraged to visit the other’s space. The furniture/ objects would remain in situ for a specified amount of time (1-2 weeks) and then be removed. Additionally, the project would be documented at all stages (workshop, preinstallation interaction with space, use of space while furniture is in place, attitudes of residents before, during and after) and a booklet would be created. Attitudinal changes of residents after the exhibition would be investigated.

Planting Workshops Morning: 10:30am - 1:00pm Afternoon: 2:00pm - 4:30pm Outdoors - bring suitable clothes Curious? Call Micheál 0872246410

Furniture Workshops Morning: 10:30am - 1:00pm Afternoon: 2:00pm - 4:30pm Evening: 5:30pm - 8:00pm Excited? Call Tara 0879270985

Reason Although the final goal was to ensure people have a sense of responsibility for, and ownership of, their city as a whole, perhaps the first step was to push out their thresholds by just a few feet, so that they feel that their domain does not abruptly end at their front door, but at minimum, includes the space in front of their homes and beyond that, their entire street. For people to feel that their street is their space to be used and cared for by them, they must feel a sense of permission. Often, the best way to offer this permission is to do so by setting a precedent. If their collective, communal space is occupied by their personal objects, then it is marked as their territory, in a way.

207

To learn more about the other 9 projects visit: www.designingdublin.com facebook.com/designingdublin @designingdublin

Goals/ Objectives Short term Residents are encouraged to use their communal spaces, engaging with their environment and each other. Installation of pieces designed by them encourages a sense of pride and stewardship in their immediate locale. Medium term Removal of temporary pieces leaves a vacuum in the public space, which hopefully the residents will want to fill. A sense of permission is offered by setting a precedence with the furniture installation. The physical objects may be removed, but hopefully the ethos will prevail. Long term Pockets of “ownership” begin to spread - first from the area outside residents’ homes, then to street and eventually to wider community. If individuals realise that they can affect change in their immediate environment, eventually they may join forces to do so on a wider scale, improving entire communities and bringing them together through shared wider goals.

Outcome No one showed up for the workshops! What went wrong? ›› P erhaps the location of the workshop was wrong, people had mixed feelings about going to the MACRO Centre (local area office). ›› M aybe it was too big a step to ask people to go out of their way to a workshop. ›› W e may have overestimated how active people wanted to be. ›› P erhaps there was not enough notice, ground-work buyin and build-up.

208

“The revealing and disheartening thing is how little anyone wants to make any sort of addition to the area that can be in any way abused by any one else. Some people don’t want a bench, because homeless people might sleep on it. Others don’t want flower planters because people might throw cans into them and attract flies. They don’t want a sandbox because sand would be kicked around. They don’t want window boxes because kids will tear up the flowers. They don’t want bird boxes because the council told them to stop feeding the pigeons from their balconies and that prohibition is presumed to extend to other birds.”

SECOND ITERATION

So we tried a second round We still wanted to… A. Encourage people to make use of (and take responsibility for) their public space and communities. B. To push their sense of ownership just beyond their front door to the street beyond.

We called round door to door again, armed with modelling materials and a sketchbook, to try and run the process in a quick, one-on-one way. While this was more successful, the furniture design aspect was beside the point. We faced some immediate barriers : ›› A strong desire amongst residents for their ‘own turf’. ›› The ‘this is why we can’t have nice things’ attitude. ›› P reference to keep ‘undesirable’ individuals out, outweighs desire to use space. ›› Presumption that any intervention will attract negative behaviour or consequences. ›› C ertain disallowed behaviours create precedent, so other related behaviours are presumed to be not allowed (e.g. Not allowed to feed the pigeons, so it is presumed that all kinds of bird feeders are forbidden) ›› Reluctance to ‘self police’ within communities.

We found out that what the residents of St Michan’s Flats want is… ›› T o have railings installed around their front doors so that they can wall off their own little piece of turf and keep everyone else out. ›› Everyone wants to be listened to. ›› Many want to be consulted. ›› A few want to see how things work, but not very many want to be actively involved in their area and the few who do seem to be constantly blocked.

211

ALLOW THE PEOPLE

SHOW THE PEOPLE

ASK THE PEOPLE

LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE

Guidelines Having spoken to the residents of St Michan's flats, two main points became readily apparent. ›› F irstly, they were thoroughly dissatisfied with the shared area outside the flats - a dark, unpleasant, car-filled unsociable space, with scorched walls. The residents will often stand outside each others doors, drinking tea and chatting and will have conversations from the balconies, but any social interaction is fleeting and ad-hoc. ›› S econdly, they are reluctant to make any kind of intervention in their space, presuming that it will attract anti-social behaviour or will just be vandalised. Some worries the residents have are thoroughly reasonable, some are bizarre, such as the assumption that window boxes will attract flies, that bird houses or feeders are not permitted. Overall the attitude is that any kind of action ‘is not worth it’, presuming it will be blocked or destroyed by either “the kids” or “the corpo”. In addition, there is huge reluctance to do things for themselves. In my conversations discussing what sort of additions or amendments could be made to the space, residents constantly returned to things “the corpo should do”. The feeling is that council residents have had so little control and responsibility in the past that their reluctance to take control is by now perniciously endemic.

213

microcosmic intervention

MICROCOSMIC INTERVENTION PROTOTYPE Location 01 St. Michan's flats

The final form of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Microcosmic Interventionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; prototype was a small patio area installed in the corner of the communal area in St Michanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flats. It consisted of a bench, table, wall planters, trellis and flowerbeds, all almost entirely made from reclaimed palettes.

The decision to use palettes rather than making something more finished or permanent was deliberate. We wanted the installation to have a sense of non-preciousness about it and also to make it clear that this sort of intervention could be done by any individual at minimal cost. We tried to be very visible in the flats during the prototyping period, so that it was obvious that the piece was being installed by one person.

The residents seemed very pleased with the installation. Upon revisiting, it was being well used, particularly by children. One young girl was sitting on the bench doing her homework. The response overall was extremely positive.

One week on, the installation is still in place. It is mostly intact, but slightly damaged. It would have been naive to presume that it would be perfectly maintained. In approximately a monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time, we will return to assess the residentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; opinions and see what, if any, impact the installation has had.

WHAT DID WE LEARN? Initiatives should be undertaken in partnership with relevant groups. Within the Markets Area (and similar communities) there is a certain amount of 'protection' offered by being involved in that community. Therefore, any interventions made in the area need to be done in conjunction with the local communities, rather than entirely by outside bodies. The Council may have to invest quite heavily in time, guiding local communities through projects. The process should not be strictly consultancy, but rather cooperative partnerships. This may require more investment to begin with, but will aid projects in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;stickingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. A simple example would be if residents requested that part of their complex be painted, that the council may sponsor the materials, but allow the residents to be responsible for the undertaking of the work. Youth organisations and young people should be actively involved in any improvement schemes It is important that this particular group feel protective of any work done. The provision of positive outlets for boredom or frustration could drastically cut down antisocial behaviour in the area, as well as forming community connections between the different residential areas in the locale. 'Vocal' or 'demanding' members of the community should be seen as an asset rather than a difficulty The Council, wherever possible, should assist members of the community in solving the problems or complaints they bring up, rather than doing it for them. With guidance, they can become essential community leaders, much like the late Danny Pender, whose loss is still strongly felt in the area.

219

Any plans or work must be made as visible as possible and be permeable to involvement throughout. Residents will, in all likelihood, not attend off-site meetings, but may join in with highly visible on-going projects. It is difficult for any group of people to articulate what they want or need without being given an example. It would be far better to invest in a large number of experiments and prototypes rather than one large project. This will be far more cost-effective in the long run. For example, many complaints have been made of children and teens playing football in the area in inappropriate spaces, such as Chancery Park and the playground in Ormond Square. There is some talk of the installation of an allweather pitch in the area, but in the short term, this is patently unnecessary. If young people are prepared to play football in playgrounds and ornamental parks, then it is clear that they are not particularly worried about the quality of the place they play football, per se, but rather just require a space large enough to kick a ball around, without risk of damage to property, where they are permitted to play.

220

Prototype 03

CITY WORKS

Showing how people are connected to each other and their city

CAN WE HELP PEOPLE SEE HOW THEY ARE CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER & TO THEIR CITY?

Concept

How? By illustrating the stories of the people who make the city tick and highlighting the complex system within which we all exist. The city is a complex system which requires numerous services in order to keep it operating, services such as postal, waste management, lighting, fire brigade, ambulance, etc. The ‘City Works’ prototype highlighted these services which allow us to all live in the city and to celebrate the dedicated people who work to keep them operating. Thus serving to show how all citizens of the city are ‘cared for’ indirectly all the time. 224

PROTOTYPE OVERVIEW

Survey

Site Study & Open Days

100 to 10

IDEA CREATION Page 227

IDEA DEVELOPME Page 229

Page 235

City Works prototype

Inspiration & content

Prototype evaluation

PROTOTYPE

ENT Page 241

Page 245

Page 253

100 to 10 In September 2010 each team member developed 100 ideas around 5 themes – Interactions, Society, Entrepreneurship, Storytelling and Spirit – related to Dublin. After reviewing and analysing them, we set them aside. In February 2010, each person selected 10 of those ideas and contextualised them within the ‘Markets Area’. Some of the ideas that we chose to develop were quite simple to adapt to the area, other ideas took on a whole new life in the new context, yet others inspired new ideas.

228

Site study As a way of getting to know the ‘Markets Area’ we carried out a ‘Site Study’ of the area abound by Church Street to the west, Capel Street to the east, North King Street to the north and Ormond Quay to the south. One of the themes that we examined was the informal use of the built environment, through a series of walks taken around the area at different times of the day. This work was recorded in a sequence of photographs and maps describing the journeys taken and interesting occurrences found en-route.

229

OPEN DAYS We also carried out short interviews with approximately 200 people in different locations in the Markets Area. When reviewed, we found that there were recurring themes in what people were telling us. One core theme revolved around the issue of a ‘lack of a sense of connection to the place’. This notion was informed by comments such as: ‘When I started working here forty years ago, the place (the markets) was closing down in a week’ ‘No one takes any interest in us down here anymore’ ‘There is no civic pride among the local community – people litter a lot’ This sense of disconnection from the place and the associated ‘lack of a sense of civic pride’ manifests itself in the public domain which is considered by many to be ‘run down’, shabby’, ‘dirty’, ‘in need of a good scrubbing’ and a ‘clean up’. Another core theme which emerged, highlighted the importance of ‘addressing the overwhelming anti-DCC sentiment’ which we found in the area.

Prototype goals 01 Short term To show the existing systems within the Markets Area. We wanted to highlight: A. The fact that the city is a complex system with many people working hard to keep it functioning.

B. To introduce the idea that citizens have a role to play in the operation of the city.

02 Medium term The goal of the prototype was to have people feel empathy for others working on the city system. 03 Long term To have people take responsibility for playing their part in the ‘system of the city’.

233

Open day sample interview results

Lack of a sense of connection For the second time, all ideas generated by team members in September 2010 were reviewed as a way of finding inspiration for the prototype addressing the ‘lack of a sense of connection’ to the Markets Area. Various permutations of a prototype were developed, dissected, discussed and redesigned, keeping in mind the short, medium and long term goals. As a way of developing the thinking on the subject of ‘city systems’ we researched the existing political system and tried to relate it to this area particularly, noting existing local councillors for the north inner city.

236

IDEA GENERATION

Survey We were unsure as to what their role was and wanted to try and understand that further so we carried out a short survey on the street investigating some issues relating to this. The results of the survey were as follows: ›› 20 people were surveyed ›› 1 2 people did not know who the local councillors were in either the Markets Area or in their own area The sample of people consulted was much too small to draw any definite conclusions, but carrying out the survey helped develop our thinking for the prototype and also allowed us to engage with a different set of people in the area. The final proposal for a prototype was to make a photographic record of the people who are responsible for delivering various services in the city.

239

240

INSPIRATION There were a series of books and projects that inspired the ‘City Works’ prototype :

The Works — Anatomy of a City by Kate Ascher

What do people do all day? by Richard Scarry

The work of the street photographer J.R.

241

Prototype content A list of possible participants in the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;City Worksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; prototype was complied by carrying out a brainstorming exercise.

The final list of possible participants derived from this brainstorming process included :

People who help move us through the Markets Area

People who help keep the Markets Area clean

People who are responsible for governance in the Markets Area

Traffic engineer Roads engineer Maintainer of cycle lanes Designer of cycle lanes Painter of road markings Bus driver Ambulance driver Traffic controller Street surface maintainer Signage maker/organiser Clamper Parking warden Street light maintainer Luas driver

Fixer of leaking pipes Bin collector Cleaner of the Liffey Clearer of the snow Litter warden Street cleaner Monitorer reservoir levels Monitorer street cleanliness Regulator of water pressure Sorter of recyclables Manager of effluent from sewage treatment Clearer of water drains Worker of sewage plant Maintainer of manholes Maintainer of sewage Maintainer of water supply

City Manager Lord Mayor Local Councillors in the North Inner-City Local Garda Judge Area Manager for North Inner City or Central Area Casual Trading Licence Administrator Events Licence Administrator Street table and chairs licence administrator Fat, oil and grease licence administrator Rates collector

People who look after the built environment in the Markets Area

People who help us move freight around the city

People who help supply us with power in the Markets Area

The City Planner The City Architect Derelict Sites Officer City Cartographer Conservation Officer Heritage Officer

People who help us communicate with each other in the Markets Area Layer of internet cables Repairer faulty phone lines Postman Layer phone cables RTE radio rep / local radio rep RTE TV rep

Courier Truck Driver Forklift Driver Fed-Ex Man

People who are responsible for the welfare of nonhuman life in the Markets Area Animal Welfare Officer

Layer of ESB cables Maintainer of ESB lines Meter checker Substation maintainer Natural gas line maintainer Receiver of emergency calls for ESB issues Receiver of emergency calls for natural gas issues

People who help plan our cities future City Planner City Manager The Citizen

People who help keep us healthy in the Markets Area

People who help provide cultural amenities in the Markets Area

Local doctor Local nurse Person who adds chlorine to our drinking water Local chemist Sports Development Officer - DCC Noise Officer - DCC

Librarian Curator from Hugh Lane â&#x20AC;&#x201C; galleries Events Officer Lets Walk and Talk Officer Fun for Older People Officer

People who offer spiritual guidance in the Markets Area

People who, in the Markets Area, tell us stories about ourselves

Fr. Brian Rep. From Christian Mission Rep from Church of Destiny Rep. From Presbyterian Church

Local journalist Local historian Local artist Local storyteller/local knowledge Local graffiti artists

People who help formally educate us in the Markets Area

People who look after us in emergencies in the Markets Area

The School Principal DCC Education Officer DCC Higher education grants

Fireman Ambulance Man Local Garda Taker 911 calls

244

People who help take care of the ecological health of the Markets Area Biodiversity Officer Gardener Tree Maintainer

CITY WORKS PROTOTYPE

COMPONENTS The ‘City Works’ prototype consisted of two components : 01 25 large scale graphics were displayed in various locations throughout the Markets Area. They included photographs of the people who service the city, along with a quote describing what service the person provides. 02 A ‘People Library’ was held in the MACRO Centre during which anyone could rent out the service person (talk to them, ask them questions) for a 20 minute time slot. he event took inspiration from and had many similarities T to a ‘Human Library’ event. However, the motivation behind the ‘People Library’ event was to provide information rather than to address stereotypes as it is in the ‘Human Library’ model. ›› 19 out of 25 people who were photographed for the ‘City Works’ prototype (‘the books’) participated in the ‘People Library’ event. ›› Approximately 60 people attended the event. ›› 37 people (‘ the readers’) spoke with ‘the books’.

246

LARGE SCALE GRAPHICS

CITY WORKS PROTOTYPE 3

FR. BRYAN SHORTHALL Parish Priest & Soul Trader

City Works is a Designing Dublin prototype. Curious about the inner operations of your city? Join us for our People Library event and rent out the people who service the city.

Educatio

30th of March, 6pm – 8pm MACRO, North King St.

I BRING LOCAL STORIES & NEWS TO LOCAL PEOPLE THROUGH COMMUNITY RADIO.

I HELP PEOPLE STAND UP & BE COUNTED, I SHOW THEM THAT THERE IS AN EXIT EVEN IF IT APPEARS TO BE A CUL-DE-SAC.

BARRY RYAN Community Garda, Bridewell Garda Station

IF WE DSPCA TURN WORK DAY AN IN TH WOU

City Works is a Designing Dublin prototype. Curious about the inner operations of your city? Join us for our People Library event and rent out the people who service the city.

WE WORK TOGETHER WITH THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE THE CITY A SAFER PLACE TO WORK IN, LIVE IN & VISIT.

IN THE PARISH OF ST. MICHAN’S IT IS OUR HABIT TO SERVE.

JOHN O’SHEA Radio Host, Near 90 FM City Works is a Designing Dublin prototype. Curious about the inner operations of your city? Join us for our People Library event and rent out the people who service the city. 30th of March, 6pm – 8pm MACRO, North King St.

30th of March, 6pm – 8pm MACRO, North King St.

CHRISTY BURKE Councillor, North Inner City City Works is a Designing Dublin prototype. Curious about the inner operations of your city? Join us for our People Library event and rent out the people who service the city.

I HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND HOW THE CITY WORKS THROUGH MAKING & INSTALLING ALL SORTS OF SIGNAGE.

30th of March, 6pm – 8pm

WE CREATE & FACILITATE A SPACE IN WHICH YOU CAN GO TO HAVE YOUR RIGHTS VINDICATED.

MACRO, North King St.

TERRY TORPHY Signage Section, Dublin City Council City Works is a Designing Dublin prototype. Curious about the inner operations of your city? Join us for our People Library event and rent out the people who service the city. 30th of March, 6pm – 8pm MACRO, North King St.

I L IKE MEET ING & CHATT I NG TO PEOPLE. T HEY LEARN ABOUT ME & I LEARN ABOUT THEM.

AS AN ARTIST & CURATOR I WANT TO BUILD A CONNECTION WITH THIS AREA OF THE CITY.

HELEN PRIESTLEY Head of Information Office, The Courts Service of Ireland City Works is a Designing Dublin prototype. Curious about the inner operations of your city? Join us for our People Library event and rent out the people who service the city.

CLARE BREEN Visual Artist The Markets Studio

30th of March, 6pm – 8pm MACRO, North King St.

City Works is a Designing Dublin prototype. Curious about the inner operations of your city? Join us for our People Library event and rent out the people who service the city. 30th of March, 6pm – 8pm MACRO, North King St.

ALLEN PROSSER Owner ABC Fishing Tackle City Works is a Designing Dublin prototype. Curious about the inner operations of your city? Join us for our People Library event and rent out the people who service the city. 30 th of March, 6pm – 8pm MACRO, North King St.

WE TRY TO IMPROVE PUBLIC AREAS THROUGH THE REMOVAL OF GRAFFITI, CHEWING GUM, STAINING, FLY POSTERING & DUMPING.

JOHN McPARTLAN Public Domain Officer, Central Area, Dublin City Council City Works is a Designing Dublin prototype. Curious about the inner operations of your city? Join us for our People Library event and rent out the people who service the city. 30th of March, 6pm – 8pm MACRO, North King St.

WE CARE FOR THE CITY’S PLACES & MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE BEAUTIFUL AREAS IN W HICH TO SIT, RELAX & W ATCH THE W ORLD GO BY. ALI GREHAN

MY FAMILY HAVE BEEN FRUIT & VEG TRADERS IN THE MARKETS FOR FIVE GENERATIONS.

WE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO COME TO THE RESCUE IN ALL SORTS OF EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, LIKE FIRES, MEDICAL SITUATIONS & VEHICULAR ACCIDENTS.

DEREK LEONARD Local Historian & Market Trader

NEIL McCABE Firefighter, Dublin Fire Brigade

City Works is a Designing Dublin prototype. Curious about the inner operations of your city? Join us for our People Library event and rent out the people who service the city.

City Architect, Dublin City Council City Works is a Designing Dublin prototype. Curious about the inner operations of your city? Join us for our People Library event and rent out the people who service the city.

30th of March, 6pm – 8pm MACRO, North King St.

30 th of March, 6pm – 8pm MACRO, North King St.

249

MIRIAM KERINS on & Media, Dublin DSPCA

E AT THE A DIDN’T N UP FOR K EVERY NIMALS HE CITY ULD DIE.

WE WORK TOGETHER WITH THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE THE CITY A SAFER PLACE TO WORK IN, LIVE IN & VISIT.

I WORK FOR THE WELLBEING OF THE OLDER POPULATION OF THE CITY, THROUGH INCLUSIVE & INTEGRATIVE INITIATIVES. GRACE MAGUIRE Assistant Community Development Officer, Dublin City Council

FIONA WALSH Community Garda, Bridewell Garda Station

City Works is a Designing Dublin prototype. Curious about the inner operations of your city? Join us for our People Library event and rent out the people who service the city.

I LAY CABLES UNDER THE GROUND THAT PROVIDE US WITH BROADBAND & T.V. LINDSAY ROUNTREE Layer of cables for fibre power broadband City Works is a Designing Dublin prototype. Curious about the inner operations of your city? Join us for our People Library event and rent out the people who service the city. 30th of March, 6pm – 8pm MACRO, North King St.

30th of March, 6pm – 8pm MACRO, North King St.

I WORK WITH THE VULNERABLE IN OUR SOCIETY & HELP THEM HAVE THEIR VOICES HEARD.

I HELP CARE FOR THE 9000 PROTECTED STRUCTURES IN THE CITY & PREPARE PLANS FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR BUILT HERITAGE.

PATRICIA HYDE Conservation Planner, Dublin City Council City Works is a Designing Dublin prototype. Curious about the inner operations of your city? Join us for our People Library event and rent out the people who service the city. 30th of March, 6pm – 8pm MACRO, North King St.

CLAIRE O’REGAN Councillor, North Inner City

I MAKE SURE THE STREETS ARE SAFE AND CLEAN FOR KIDS TO PLAY IN.

KEVIN MURRAY Waste Department, Dublin City Council

WE WORK TOGETHER WITH THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE THE CITY A SAFER PLACE TO WORK IN, LIVE IN & VISIT.

WE HELP DUBLINERS TO SEE WHERE THEY ARE WALKING AT NIGHT.

ELAINE CUSACK Community Garda, Bridewell Garda Station

JOHN CONROY Public Lights Department, Dublin City Council

City Works is a Designing Dublin prototype. Curious about the inner operations of your city? Join us for our People Library event and rent out the people who service the city.

30th of March, 6pm – 8pm MACRO, North King St.

24 14 4 11

WE TRY TO HELP DUBLINERS SHAPE A VISION OF A FUTURE CITY, WHICH IS HEALTHY & BEAUTIFUL.

1 17

DICK GLEESON City Planner, Dublin City Council City Works is a Designing Dublin prototype. Curious about the inner operations of your city? Join us for our People Library event and rent out the people who service the city.

9 19

30th of March, 6pm – 8pm MACRO, North King St.

I WORK WITH GREAT PEOPLE TO MAKE DUBLIN THE BEST PLACE POSSIBLE. 21

MONICA FLYNN Visual Artist, The Markets Studio City Works is a Designing Dublin prototype. Curious about the inner operations of your city? Join us for our People Library event and rent out the people who service the city. 30th of March, 6pm – 8pm MACRO, North King St.

WE WORK TOGETHER WITH THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE THE CITY A SAFER PLACE TO WORK IN, LIVE IN & VISIT. SGT. LARRY BRADY Community Garda, Bridewell Garda Station

AS AN ARTIST & WRITER I WANT TO BUILD A CONNECTION WITH THIS AREA OF THE CITY.

JOHN TIERNEY City Manager, Dublin City Council City Works is a Designing Dublin prototype. Curious about the inner operations of your city? Join us for our People Library event and rent out the people who service the city. 30th of March, 6pm – 8pm MACRO, North King St.

PEOPLE LIBRARY

251

Prototype Evaluation 16 people who attended the ‘People Library’ event returned evaluation forms.

16 of the 25 people who were photographed returned evaluation forms.

Everyone said that they would recommend the event to a friend if it was to be held again. We found the answers to the second question to be very encouraging:

‘ I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I met interesting people and I got to pass on some of my knowledge. This is a wonderful, worthwhile experience’.

Have you learned anything new about how our city works from having attended this event?

‘ It makes you question why we do things in a particular way’ ‘ I would like this type of engagement all the time. They are very constructive and ask searching questions. I made some good contacts.’

‘ Great idea! Useful, I’m sure the different books will take something back from this. A good situation for them to listen to normal people and interesting for me to sit and talk to a person you wouldn’t have a conversation with normally’

‘ I was afforded a great opportunity to explain what I do, where I work and to invite my readers to come and visit the courts or contact other colleagues’

‘ Yes, who to contact the next time we see a loose horse in Stoneybatter and a lot about the work of the DSPCA. Gave me a better understanding of the problems they come up against’

It was much more difficult to evaluate what people thought of the posters and to understand how effective they were as a communication tool. However, we did spot two photographers taking photos of them, one of whom was putting it on her blog about urban spaces. As Nuala was pasting up the posters she got two comments about carrying out a ‘subversive’ act from people coming from the Four Courts. As with anything out of the ordinary that you do in the public realm we had plenty of enquiries as to what we were up to. It must be noted that only two people came to the event as a result of having read the posters.

252

Prototype learnings We thoroughly enjoyed implementing this prototype. We met some very interesting people and we really enjoyed getting to know them. After reading the evaluation forms from the event we feel as though we brought some fun into a discussion about how cities work. We feel as though we have come some way to achieving the short and medium term goals. However, it is too early to assess whether or not we have had any impact on the long term goal. Dublin City Council and in particular the City Planner was incredibly helpful and obliging with the project, designating it as exempted development. However, it was still necessary to get permission for the project from the various people who take care of discrete DCC properties where we proposed erecting the posters, for example from the person who looks after rubbish bins in the city. We found it difficult to locate the correct person you need to talk in such a complex organisation. The implementation of this project would not have been possible without significant intellectual and physical help from volunteers who are genuinely concerned about their city. We hope that as a result of both their efforts and our efforts, we have planted some seeds of improvement in Dublin.

253

Prototype 04

GOLDEN PATH

250 metres of urban experimentation

HOW CAN WE AMPLIFY OUR NAVIGATION EXPERIENCE THROUGH DUBLIN’S STREETS?

Concept

St. Michans

Market

Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Abbey

Mary Street

Curiosity shops

Four Courts Trinity Christchurch City Hall

Link the markets to the main city landmarks

How? By making it easy to run small prototypes that test and challenge the current role of our streets. We need to reâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;evaluate the types of activities that our streets are designated for. Not all streets need to be busy and vehicle oriented. Some can be transformed into spaces that allow for small prototypes where people are given the choice to sit, play, stroll, eat and enjoy all while walking through the city.

258

PROTOTYPE OVERVIEW

Wayfinding

Movement study

Prototype ambition

AB AB Page 261

Page 267

Page 275

Prototype

Follow-up with traders

Council & traders

Page 280

Page 281

Page 288

“ WAYFINDING IS ABOUT GOING FROM A TO B IN THE MOST PLEASURABLE OR EASIEST WAY POSSIBLE” As a means to discover more about way finding and safety in the Markets Area, we conducted two pieces of research : A. We held an 'Open Day' where we talked to people on the streets to understand their experiences and what they wanted from the area. B. We defined and understood the term wayfinding.

262

A. Open Day

These are some of the things people said about wayfinding : ›› I t is hard to find your way around, you get lost here ›› I t is not clear at the markets which is retail and which is wholesale ›› T here is nowhere to park a bike at markets ›› S ometimes it doesn’t feel safe to walk around ›› Y ou wouldn’t know the markets were here ›› T he place is very run-down ›› T hey should restrict the vans and trucks to the car park and forklifts could go up and downs

264

B. Definition and examples of wayfinding Wayfinding is about… Invitation 01 What invites people to go to a destination? What are the views of the area? What type of information exists on the area? Is the area easy to find/view on a map? Access 02 How do you get to the area? Is the area connected to other places? Signage 03 How and at what intervals do you need directions or orientation? Cars and people 04 What type of spatial relationship do the cars and people share? Who has priority, cars or people? What is the respective ratio of street space given to cars vs. people? How many people are facilitated by those respective space designations? Quality of routes for movement 05 Is the route legible? What is the quality and consistency of materials and graphic elements? Are the spaces well connected? Are there unbroken pathways, cycle-ways? Quality of space for enjoyment 06 Are there places to stop, to sit, to people watch, to wait, to linger, to feel at ease, to have quiet, to talk, to have coffee? Key attractors 07 What are the key social, cultural, tourist and commercial attractions that can draw people into the space or along the route? Wider city context 08 How does navigation in other areas in the city affect navigation to this area? How can you create bleed from more popular areas? What main thoroughfares in the city are near or could connect to the area?

265

Cities for people — Jan Gehl

Other wayfinding examples that we researched included : ››

The new wayfinding system in Dublin.

››

he work of FW Design, wayfinding design consultants, who executed the wayfinding T system in the Dublin Docklands. www.fwdesign.com

››

eflecting City and Legible Dublin, a project by Dublin City Council to develop a strategic R response to the challenge of unity and address issues of quality, quantity, coherence and inter-connectedness across the emerging public domain of the extended inner city. http://www.reflectingcity.com/index.php/north-west/intro/introduction/

››

rojects coming out of Central St Martins design course on narrative environments P http://www.narrative-environments.com/ including a project to engage cyclists in Dublin through a themed narrative and wayfinding experience.

››

ser-trip research to identify problems in the Dublin Bus system as an example of how U to query a system from a user’s perspective. http://www.venetikidis.com/ArisV/CaseStudy_files/ArisV_MA-thesis_CaseStudy.pdf

››

J an Gehl's ‘Cities for People’ book, we especially used his toolbox as a guide to assessing the area.

266

01. WHAT ARE THE PHYSICAL ELEMENTS OF THE ROUTES THAT DEFINE NAVIGATION? 02. WHAT MIGHT A PLAYFUL ROUTE ENCOMPASS? 03. WHAT EXISTING PATTERNS OF NAVIGATION PERVADE? 04. HOW CAN ONE NAVIGATE USING ALL SENSES? 05. WHAT INVITATION EXISTS TO ATTRACT PEOPLE INTO THE AREA? 06. WHAT ARE THE PERMISSIONS, PERCEIVED OR ACTUAL, AROUND NAVIGATION? 07. WHAT DEVICES CAN SIDE-TRACK PASSERSTHROUGH TO LINGER LONGER? 08. WHAT IS THE EXPERIENCE/ THEME OF NAVIGATION? 09. WHAT LINKAGES EXIST OR SHOULD EXIST IN OTHER AREAS? 10. WHAT FORUM COULD THERE BE FOR FEEDBACK ON NAVIGATION? 11. WHAT DOES THE NAVIGATING EXPERIENCE CHANGE FOR DIFFERENT MODEUSERS?

A. Patterns of travel To understand how people are navigating the Markets Area, we went through a process of understanding : A. Patterns of travel B. Entry pointS From our Open Day in the Markets we recorded on a map the journeys taken by all of the people we engaged with on the street. The following figures are based on a sample of 73 respondents describing their typical route.

270

Pedestrians ›› 43% of people walk

The easiest way to get to and through the Markets is on foot but the pedestrian realm is hostile – disconnected paving and dominance of vehicles.

›› R outes most used are East–West (along Luas Line and Mary’s Lane) and Church Street to Chancery Street ›› T here appeared to be little penetration to the north ›› T here appeared to be little footfall from the river ›› T here appeared to be little footfall from DIT ›› N orth–South routes used, Capel and Church Street, are peripheral

Public transport Bus There is poor service by bus to the Markets Area if you are coming from the North or South City. The only service is the no.83 via Church Street which will be re-routed via O'Connell Street when the bus system route changes to Network Direct. This means a bus user must walk from O'Connell Street to reach the Markets.

›› 11% of people use public transport ›› L uas is the mode of transport that is mainly used ›› There is scant use of bus access ›› T he only bus services are East–West along quays and no.83 via Church Street. There is no other North-South service west of O’Connell Street.

Luas Perfect if you are coming from East or West only. However despite proximity of stops at Four Courts and Jervis, there is no indication at these stops that one is near the Markets Area.

271

Cyclists There are 3 Dublin Bike Stations in or just outside the area – Bolton Street, Capel Street and Chancery Street. However there is poor linkage to and through the area by bike with just one bike lane running up Greek Street. If, like most Northside Dublin bus commuters, you alight on O'Connell Street and wish to take a Dublin Bike at GPO to Markets, you have no convenient access route to the Markets Area. Most bike users cycle illegally down the Luas tracks to get to the area. There are no bike parking facilities in and around the Markets.

›› 14% of people cycle ›› T he route most used is along the Luas line ›› T here appeared to be little penetration deep into the area ›› T here is a route mainly East-West via Smithfield

Cars ›› 19% of people drive

Access by car is smooth as vehicular access has been foreseen for the functioning of market deliveries. There is a car park at the old Fish Market and one at Jervis Centre plus several pay and display parking facilities in the area. Despite this, many cars are regularly parked illegally on footpaths around the markets building and on Little Mary Street. Several routes through the area are used as rat-runs by commuters – eg East Arran Street and Greek Street to North King Street. Deliveries dominate the area in the early morning with large articulated trucks congregating outside the Fyffes building and blocking access. Forklifts scurry in all directions in the area around the markets building.

›› R outing happens mostly to/from southside over bridges ›› D riving happens mostly through the south end of the markets

272

B. Entry points We examined all the entry points into the Markets Area and identified that the invitation was very poor – no indication of what was inside, poor urban realm, prioritisation of vehicles. The markets are like a virtual fortress between the bounding streets – people walk past but are unaware of what is inside.

Some brief conclusions : ›› I t is difficult to wayfind to and within the Markets Area ›› V ehicles get priority over pedestrians ›› The public realm is poor and cold ›› P eople navigate East–West mostly on foot ›› P eople pass through the area rather than stop ›› T he Markets Area is not seen as a destination The research also revealed the scale of the issues and how widespread they were across the entire area.

273

4 3

We wanted to develop a prototype that could A. Improve navigation and safety in the Markets Area B. Demonstrate wayfinding and safety in the most appropriate way C. Address or reflect as many of the identified issues as possible

276

Prototype Inspiration

02 BHV Homme Paris, France Green wall on BHV Homme department store.

01 Greenpark Rotterdam, Netherlands The concrete parking garage, formerly Westblaak, is set to become the largest green facade project in Europe.

04 ‘Sit In’ Liverpool, England A project that asked residents to consider what might happen if every household were given a bench to place on the marginal land around Toxteth, Liverpool. Due to the collapse of the manufacturing industry, inner-city Liverpool has many empty and abandoned lots that offer spaces for urban interventions to occur.

03 Tower Flower Paris, France Social Housing – “It looks like a giant display of potted plants, it sings in the breeze - and it's one of the best places to live in Paris."

05 PARK(ing) San Francisco, USA A very short-term lease of a downtown parking space allows the autonomous creation of public space. PARK(ing) involved feeding a meter on San Franciscoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mission Street to rent precious urban real estate for installation of an aquarium, a public bed, a brothel, or nothing at all, to increase available space on a car-dominated street.

06 Sheep and lambs eat city parks Turin, Italy The city of Turin saved 30,000 by using sheep to mow lawns at three public parks. After the animals are rotated through fenced-off parks for two months, they return to the Alps for the remainder of the summer.

07 Edible Campus Montreal, Canada The project demonstrates that underutilized concrete spaces can be unobtrusively made edible with little effort and low cost. Student volunteers maintain over one hundred simple containers in a 93-square-metre modular, mobile seasonal garden.

Route We decided to focus on leading users through a specific route to the Markets Area. ›› T he research had shown a predominant East-West navigation for pedestrians, cyclists and for Luas users. ›› P eople were already moving along the Luas lines and through Mary’s Lane from Smithfield to Henry Street. They were moving on these routes more to pass through to other areas rather than to actually go to the markets. ›› T here was an opportunity to improve wayfinding and safety perception for these existing and future users and there was the opportunity to side-track people off these two main routes into the markets. Our prototype would run from Mary Street, through Little Mary Street and to the markets building.

01 Little Mary Street

02 Junction of Little Mary Street & Capel Street

03 Junction of Little Mary Street & Capel Street heading towards Mary Street

04 Mary Street

279

Engaging Dublin City Council & the traders of the area We knew that any street intervention was going to require permissions from the Council and that an intervention that made changes to how people moved through the area would require restrictions on traffic. After a complicated permission process, we managed to get allowance to trial our prototype on a portion of Mary Street and Little Mary Street. Traffic would still be able to pass through both streets but parking would be eliminated during the prototype prep days. Once we had provisional clearance on what was possible we began to engage the traders on Mary Street, Little Mary Street and in/around Capel Street. We had previously met with Tom Coffey, DCBA and Geraldine Walsh, Civic Trust who were supportive of our aims and agreed to help. We met with the following traders : ›› Paddy Lenehan Lenehans Capel Street

›› Adrian Home style Mary Street

›› Mohamed Asian Supermarket Mary Street

›› Allan Mullins Mullins Mary Capel Street

›› Louis Copeland Capel Street

›› M anager in Camping Store Mary Street

›› R ichard & Frances Gough Goughs Hardware Little Mary Street

›› B rendan Flynn The Church Bar & Restaurant Mary Street

›› D ominic & Ruth Duggan Army Bargains Little Mary Street

›› S hiony Sari Sari Supermarket Little Mary Street

›› M ad flowers Little Mary Street

We called into other traders and casually notified of our provisional plans to whomever was present.

280

“I think it’s fantastic, there should be more of it around the city. There are plenty of areas where you could develop this that aren’t used by traffic. Anything that encourages people to be out and about is good. When you go out on holidays these are the type of things that you want to do, sort of stroll around and see places like this.”

GOLDEN PATH PROTOTYPE Location 01 Little Mary Street 02 Mary Street

Lit tle ar y

M St re et

Mary Stree t

“I THINK IT’S VERY A VERY NICE USE OF THE SPACE. I THINK IT’S SOMETHING THAT IS SADLY LACKING IN TERMS OF RETAIL IN DUBLIN, PLACES TO SIT AND RELAX RELATIVELY FREELY, WHERE YOU ARE JUST THERE AS A POTENTIAL CUSTOMER.”

“SOMETHING LIKE THIS IN THE MIDDLE OF A CITY CENTRE IS FANTASTIC. I REMEMBER THE AREA YEARS AGO AND IT I THINK IT’S JUST GOTTEN A LOT BETTER WITH SOMETHING LIKE THIS. WE WERE ON OUR WAY PAST AND SAW ‘SIT PLEASE’ SO I THOUGHT WHY NOT.” MAN IN HIS 20’S

“ I REALLY THINK THAT IT’S A GOOD IDEA TO MAKE IT A MORE WALKABLE AREA. IT WILL MAKE MORE SENSE, IT WILL ATTRACT MORE TOURISM AND MAKE MORE PEOPLE WALK SAFELY. PEOPLE ARE WANDERING WHAT IS GOING ON, IT HAS ENCOURAGED PEOPLE TO WALK DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IF WE MAKE THIS A PEDESTRIANISED ZONE, IT WILL ATTRACT MORE CUSTOMERS.” VICTOR, TRADER IN MARY’S MALL

“IT BENEFITS THIS AREA. IT PROVIDES SOMETHING NATURAL INTO THE ENVIRONMENT. THIS WILL BRING PEOPLE INTO THE AREA, NOT EXCLUDE THEM FROM THE AREA. SOMETHING ON THE STREET LIKE THIS COULD WORK GIVEN THAT IT WAS IN THE DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL AGREEMENT FOR THIS TO TAKE PLACE ON A MONTHLY BASIS, AS A PROTOTYPE AND TO GET SOME FEEDBACK FROM THE PUBLIC. IT SHOULD ALSO BRING BUSINESS INTO THE SHOPS.” WOMAN IN HER 50’S

Follow up with traders On the week following the prototype, we returned to the traders to ask for their feedback and to invite them to a follow-up meeting. The traders were very positive about the project and would like to see Mary Street pedestrianised. The traders discussed potential issues with pedestrianisation and we worked through possible solutions together :

Solution Put time restrictions on delivery as per Henry Street and notify the suppliers

Issue Delivery inbound – needs to be able to facilitate vans to deliver heavy goods

Solution 01 Make Jervis Lane for deliveries only

Issue Delivery outbound – some traders deliver goods outside the area

02 Cargo bikes proposed by the Council could work very well and could be great advertisements for businesses Solution 01 Encourage customers to use Capel Street for parking, which is safer.

Issue Customer parking – this is an issue for clientele of Madina and Asia Market mostly who come from all parts of the country to source and consume speciality food. It is mostly an issue at night-time when parking in Wolfe Tone Street is inadvisable due to anti-social behaviour

02 Allow parking on-street at night-time only 03 Have zero tolerance antisocial behaviour on Wolfe Tone Street

Issue The traders feel there are blockages to innovations – eg, they would like to demonstrate food outside their shops for example with a barbeque

Solution Needs discussion with the Council

Issue Traders have issue with BIDS charge in addition to rates

Solution Needs discussion with the Council

288

Learnings & recommendations Following are a set of points that offer some learningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and recommendations from both researching and developing the wayfinding and safety prototype for the Markets Area. Upgrade wayfinding system to include Markets Area Dublin City Council should update the new Wayfinding Signage System to include the Markets Area and other socio-cultural amenities in the area such as Green Street Courthouse, Halston Street Playground, Ormond Street Playground and the old Debtors Prison which are virtually unknown though they lie just behind Capel Street. Pedestrianise Mary Street There is wide support for the pedestrianisation of this street from citizens, traders, DCBA and Civic Trust. The parking bays are not critical to business on this street. Deliveries should be restricted to before 11am and Jervis Lane could be allocated for delivery only. Traders are receptive to the Cargo Bikes system. Upgrade and pedestrianise Little Mary Street or widen footpaths This street is a critical entry point to the Markets Area and to the potential Eastâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;West pedestrian axis from Connolly to Collins Barracks via Smithfield. Tourists are frequently seen looking confused here. There are over twelve times more pedestrians than cars using this stretch but the footpath can only accommodate one person abreast. Two of the current traders along this route say they require vehicular set-down by customers and 289

delivery, so alternative arrangements would be required. There is existing scope for the footpath to be widened. ›› T he no parking in this area is consistently ignored and needs to be enforced. ›› A wider footpath might allow traders to display wares and create more life on the street. ›› T he street looks very inhospitable with rubbish and graffiti. Dublin City should support a project to deal with the blank frontages at the side of the AIB building, the Keelings Fruit wholesale building, and the wall opposite. Create special permissions and authorisations for test innovations and urban prototypes The execution of this prototype showed the difficulty and expense of getting authorisation for a simple intervention on a street. Special provision should be made in the system for quicker sign-off of test interventions to encourage innovation. Another example would be a trader wishing to do a temporary demonstration outside his/her store. Such activity creates more life on the street and adds value to the street and should not be discouraged by prohibitions Use independent groups like Designing Dublin to test and kick off change in the City This prototype showed how change can happen with a little push outside officialdom. We discovered that as regards pedestrianisation in Mary Street, citizens wanted it, traders wanted it and it seems council wanted it so why was it not happening? Inertia? No one else seemed to be bringing the traders together. No one else has it in their remit to test an idea for urban change.

290

Install bike parking at markets building We discovered that many people travel to the market and Smithfield by bicycle to source cheap high-quality ingredients – fruit, vegetables and fish. They are frustrated that there is nowhere to park their bikes at the markets while they shop. Resolve inaccessibility by bike East–West There is no possibility to connect from O’Connell Street by bike to the Markets Area except on the Luas Line. This appears to work well so far but it is illegal! If there is a bigger plan to develop the East–West artery towards Collins Barracks/Phoenix Park then cyclists should be considered. Improve invitation from Luas stops – Jervis and Four Courts The Civic Trust in its recent publication on the Capel Street and Markets Area has called for a new Luas stop at the Markets. Meanwhile there should be better indication at existing Luas stops that the Markets exist for entry. Hedge the railings at the back of the markets and around DCC car park The railings are unsightly, the markets look ugly from the Mary’s Abbey (Luas line) side. They could be made more inviting with foliage. Restrict van load off to DCC car park Currently vans and trucks loading off create chaos in the area and make it unsafe. It would be good to ensure that vans and trucks only load off inside the car park onto the forklift. Forklifts could then deliver to the warehouses. Build awareness of retail elements in markets building Despite the signage, citizens are mostly unaware that they can shop in the markets. Improving the signage and information provision would greatly benefit the market.

291

Prototype 05

PIMP YOUR PAVEMENT An interactive pop-up park

HOW CAN WE TRANSFORM OVER-LOOKED & NEGLECTED AREAS IN OUR CITY INTO PLACES RICH WITH HUMAN INTERACTIONS, FUN AND JOY?

Concept d Po B

Crossover point

Divide Divide

d Po A

Crossover

The in-between space of cities

How? By using nature as a means to make the streets of Dublin bloom into vibrant, lively places where people want to stop, linger and chat. Many areas of the City have not yet reached their full potential for human interactions. If these spaces are identified and given new life through the use of nature, empty spaces will become places for people to enjoy, spend time in and interact with one another. If we address theses areas in this way everyone will grow more engaged, aware and connected â&#x20AC;&#x201C; providing new opportunities to grow local community in the City. 296

PROTOTYPE OVERVIEW

Dance of interactions

We defined

We heard

Page 299

Page 303

Page 307

Iteration 01

Iteration 02

Learnings & recommendations

01 02 Page 311

Page 312

Page 321

WE HEARD At our ‘Open Day’, a day of street engagement, we talked to 170 people either living or walking through the Markets Area. In parallel, we conducted ‘Site Study’ research and tried to understand both the built environment and the social connections amongst the diverse range of people in the area.

THERE ISN’T ENOUGH GREENERY

I didn’t even know the market was open to the public

I PASS THROUGH BUT I HAVE NO REASON TO GO TO THE MARKET Not appealing

Not enough places to eat IT’S DIRTY, SHABBY, RUNDOWN

There needs to be more green space

I stay away from the side streets

There isn’t much of a community here

More life needed on the street

299

The ‘Site Study’ research also uncovered a number of relevant insights : ›› ›› ›› ››

Territorial behaviour No place to eat Lack of street activity Enforcement of policies rather than an open dialogue with relevant parties ›› Wayfinding is difficult ›› The community champion passed away ›› Anti DCC feeling affects all communities in the area After reviewing what people said and what we researched, we realised that one of the topics of opportunity related to the ‘lack of communication and interaction’ in the area. As a starting point, these thoughts were matched with ideas that we developed at an earlier point in the project. Ideas such as — communal natural garden, run a secret meet–up event, have posters about the markets, know your neighbour weekend, a prize for alternative use of car park at your workplace and street feast. This was our way of understanding how a ‘lack of communication and interaction’ could be eradicated through projects that improved communication and interaction among people using, living or passing-through the Markets Area.

300

We DEFINED

“People were moving from A to B, people were crossing paths. There was a huge space In between. It was no place in par ticular. Yet it is a home to many people. It is place where people spend lots of time. It is where much of city life takes place.” 304

Defining interaction Communication was defined as a process whereby meaning is delivered and shared between two people and it is understood clearly. Not quite satisfied with this definition, we searched for further words that addressed what we had heard and learnt about the area. The word ‘interaction’ was found to be more appropriate to the needs of the Markets Area, identified in the ‘Open Days’ and ‘Site Study’. Interaction was defined as an action that occurs as two or more objects have an effect on one another. The word ‘interaction’ crossed a number of topics – space, movement and place. It was found that despite the movement of people through the Markets Area, interactions were not occurring. The spaces in the Markets were not places where people met or spent time. The spaces in the Markets Area were viewed as inhospitable and unsafe. Further investigation revealed a divide between people in the area. There are pockets of housing with very little interaction between people, often the spaces between houses are empty and lacking life.

The nature of cities The importance of place in the city and street interactions was researched and certain key points emerged: ›› A city is vibrant and lively if people can linger on the streets. Hanging around, stopping, and slowly wandering are as valuable to the life of a city as quick and efficient movement from place to place. ›› P eople don’t come to the city solely for cheap rent or quiet nights or stunning sunsets. They come to the city because there are many people and things happening. ›› The city can be seen as a ‘dance of interactions’.

305

Impact Methods The next step involved defining whom the project could impact on. These groups were loosely defined as : › The people moving on the streets › Getting people out of houses › Getting residents and passersby together › Locals and marketers › Outsiders and the local area › Wildlife Possible methods of bringing these people together were explored. Some of the possibilities included : › Rubbish in the Markets Area › Not enough greenery › No place to eat › People don’t know of the Markets Area › Rundown buildings

308

Using as an inspiration, a description of a planners’ main priority – to minimise distress and maximise interactions – we wondered how we could do just the same with a project like this. How could we make it work?

Maximise Interaction Creating atmosphere to linger

Minimise Distress Easy, enjoyable, fun

Space to meet

Rewarding, quick returns, safe

Permission to come together

Creative

Common focal point Safe environment Seating edges Food and drink

Invitation to get involved Supportive Letting them know they are loved Allow easy interaction with environment

At the conclusion of our research, we had a handful of themes including planting, gardening, sowing seeds, changing the use of the footpath and cleaning the area, which would help us to build the prototype. It was clear at this point that we wanted the prototype to: ›› Change the grey landscape ›› Help create more biodiversity ›› Create more green space ›› Allow people to interact with their environment ›› Allow people to interact with one another ›› Examine the alternative use of space for future developments ›› Help create community links ›› A llow people to take control and solve some of their own problems ›› Create a space for people to linger, learn, and have fun

309

Iteration One Initially, a poster inviting people to join a planting session was distributed to many residents in the Markets Area. It was hoped that the session could be a way for people to come together and create positive impact. The process involved taking people on a tour of the area to encourage them to examine their surroundings and suggest different ways of improving it. This process experienced difficulties in meeting and bringing people together. One resident attended and expressed support for the project, having attempted a similar intervention in the area previously. The resident was met with resistance from the Council, opposed to the idea of planting within the parks of the area. The process was adapted, instead going door-to-door in order to engage residents.

Public Planting & Outdoor Furnit At the MACRO Centre Bring along Everything

else

All ages w elcome

Process outcomes included : ›› Disinterest and apathy amongst residents ›› People expressed anger towards DCC ›› Hostility towards change ›› Lack of belief amongst residents in their own ability ›› Residents unwilling to engage

Planting Workshops Morning: 10:30am - 1:00pm Afternoon: 2:00pm - 4:30pm Outdoors - bring suitable clothes Curious? Call Micheál 0872246410

Furniture Workshops Morning: 10:30am - 1:00pm Afternoon: 2:00pm - 4:30pm Evening: 5:30pm - 8:00pm Excited? Call Tara 0879270985

311

you

Iteration Two With new learning and insights gained from the first prototype, the focus shifted towards a pop-up park. These pop-up initiatives have achieved great success around the world and answer the goal of the project.

ture Design – Monday 14th March

ur favourite

plant.

e will be p

rovided.

Potential locations for the pop-up park were investigated and the front of the old motor tax office chosen. ›› The building looks drab and is falling into disrepair ›› The area is very busy during the day with people commuting by bike, car, Luas and on foot. ›› The area is open to all types of people – the courts, local private and public housing residents, passersby, tourists, Gardai, etc. It provides a visual focus rather than dispersing the prototype in pieces. The prototype was developed over a series of days, beginning with placing daffodils on the railing of the tax office, in gaps in walls and on footpaths. Based on the positive feedback of people in the area, the prototype grew. A number of people volunteered to help with building. Over the course of 5 days the prototype was installed each morning and removed in the evenings. The 'Pimp your Pavement' project brought around a new series of interactions and insights : ›› Y oung children engaged in maintaining the park, played in the prototype after school and shared the importance of nature in their lives ›› I ssues such as ownership, use of space and permission arose frequently in conversation ›› P eople stopped off from their trip through the area to sit down, take a break and have a chat. ›› P eople wanted to learn more about planting and different types of food. ›› Y oung people came back each day to help to set up the park and mind it. They felt affection for the project, were very supportive and brought herbs home to keep growing them.

To learn more about the other 9 projects visit: www.designingdublin.com facebook.com/designingdublin @designingdublin

›› M any discussions took place amongst people in the space as result of the prototype. These interactions, occurring as result of the 'Pimp your Pavement' prototype, transformed the vacant space into a place. It succeeded in opening up a more open and inclusive way of living.

312

PIMP YOUR PAVEMENT PROTOTYPE Location 01 Old motor tax office

Learnings & recommendations 01â&#x20AC;&#x201A; The City can tackle its dependency culture through nature There is a culture of dependency being fostered amongst people in social and private housing within the City. People do not see the City as something that allows involvement or ownership. The connection between people and the City could be grown through gardening programmes in social housing complexes. 02â&#x20AC;&#x201A; The City needs to facilitate people to own, play and care for it The relationship between people and the City is fractured. There is a lack of involvement between people and the inbetween space of the City. Over-regulation and difficulties with permissions prevent people from owning the City. The parks can be used to get people involved in taking care of the City in a new way. A new sense of ownership could be fostered through a trial programme in a park. 03â&#x20AC;&#x201A; Interactions need to be facilitated There is a general lack of involvement between people and the in-between space of the City. It is not a place, yet it is everywhere. Many of the green spaces in the City are closed off and concrete is the dominant material. By opening up the green space and transforming concrete into nature, the residents, passersby and workers in the City can become reconnected to nature and each other. Small interventions in the under utilized spaces could help brighten the City and allow many community projects to take place with small budgets. 321

04â&#x20AC;&#x201A; Growing fun in the City The underused areas of the City can be used for fun. People love to have fun. They want to experience joy. By allowing these spaces to be used for more positive projects, joy will be created. 05â&#x20AC;&#x201A; Approaching people on the right level In order to successfully engage with people, the message must be suited to the audience. Otherwise, the meaning will be lost. Clear communication is essential.

322

Prototype 06

Broadcasting People A snapshot of the stories & people of the Markets Area

Can high足 lighting the diversity of the citY'S identity help people love, enjoy, care for, visit & use it more?

Concept

Markets Area

Community

Shared passion

Identity

How? By recording, making public and distributing the stories of people’s love for the city more and more people can learn about the diversity of identity in the city. When a place’s identity is invisible it becomes difficult for people to engage with, love and use it. If people cannot connect to the places of their city, they cannot join in helping shape their future. Every place in the city is full of ingredients – the stories of its people, the character of its buildings, the linkages and encounters that happen daily. By highlighting these components, the identity and vision of a place like the Markets Area emerges and begins to form an inspiration canvas for it’s future. 326

PROTOTYPE OVERVIEW

Open Days 01 Historical real city 02 Unknown city

Project grounding

Questioning concept

Background

A1 Page 329

A2 Page 331

Page 333

Page 335

Project development

Sketching

Prototyping

Feedback

A3 Page 337

B C Page 338

Page 339

Page 349

BACKGROUND The Markets Area was suggested as a potential-rich area that needed attention throughout our street engagement processes. The more we explored and talked to people, the more we realised that the city is largely unaware of the Markets Area existence, many people confused it with Smithfield, or talked about it as that blank space on their Luas trip. It seemed peculiar to us that somewhere so central, and crucial in terms of connecting other areas, would be so unknown. We also noticed that the Markets Area is missed on the main cultural and tourist maps.

330

OPEN DAYS As a way to understand the challenges and hopes of people using and living in the Markets Area we held a series of Open Days, where we talked to a diverse range of people. From them we discovered 2 narratives of the area, as well as how the area is perceived in the city.

01 ‘Historical real’ city

02 Unknown city

People shared with us the history and folklore of the area, from it’s trading, religious, law and production origins through to it’s current day mix of ethnicities, markets, artists and exciting happenings.

We also heard how many people in the city had never heard of, or been to, the Markets Area despite it’s central location and unique qualities. Many of the people who live or work in the area told us that they don’t feel connected to the area, that it has lost a lot of life and it is not enticing to spend time there.

“ Almost like a little village outside of the city centre” Helen Kerrane “ I come in here for the craic. I don’t want to go to the M50… This is Dublin for me” Joe Doherty

“ Not as vibrant as before. Not enticing.” Deborah Crowley

“ Victorian jewel” Deborah Crowley

“ It’s town but it’s not town.” Vincent Donnelly

“ Deco in the Christian Mission is very active” Rose Kearney

“ Needs a bit more life” Mary Jackson

“ Couldn’t live anywhere else, it’s home, but you’d miss the people that have lived here years ago” Maureen

“ It’s after changing so much – the craic has disappeared.” Dave Murphy “ Would be great to have somewhere where you could watch the markets working. The two could co-exist.” Dave Murphy

“ It’s a great place to work – it’s the real old Dublin – all the characters around the place. A lot of it is gone – no more horse and cart.” Tom Shields

“ Lots of shops closing, area needs something to get people in e.g. coffee shop.” John

“ It’s real Irish – everybody comes to the markets – it’s a popular place. You meet everybody.” John

“ Excluding Capel St. – barren. Was beautiful in the past. No feeling of belonging or community.” Emily Gibson “ @DesigningDublin where exactly do you mean by markets area?” Conor Courtney

332

Area Snapshot Starting with the topic of ‘Lack of Identity and Vision’, we worked to understand if there was a project about identity that could be linked to the Markets Area. We delved back into what we’d heard during the Open Days and pieced together a set of quotes and area gems. This information helped us create a mini picture of the area’s current identity, which we categorised into 6 elements.

01 Produce The buying and selling of goods in the area.

02 History Capture what has come before and create a bridge between old and new.

03 People Capture and portray people’s activities, how they fit into the system of the area and people's interactions.

04 Traders The group of people who embody the markets.

05 Hidden gems The places, people and stories that people may not know about the area.

06 Spaces The buildings and places of the area.

334

QUESTIONING CONCEPT In parallel we also investigated and questioned how the identity and vision of an area is formed. There were a few local and international place — branding projects, books and other goodies that we found inspiring.

I Amsterdam BY CITY OF AMSTERDAM

What is Dublin For BY BRAND UNION

laces – Identity, Image P & Reputation by Simon Anholt

335

branding of Manchester BY Peter Saville Dublinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s back lane garage doors image collection BY bicyclistic.com

140 Characters by Areaman Productions Inside Out photography project by JR

336

Sketching Reviewing everything we’d heard, what we’d gathered and knowing the potential for positive change an identity project can have on a place, we decided to focus our prototype on one simple goal – to portray the essence of the Markets Area. We thought that this was important because : ›› ›› ›› ›› ››

We could find out and show the personality of the area. We could connect people from one corner to the other. We could capture living memory and make it visible. We could show the positive aspects of the area. We could present the great opportunities that exist in the area.

With the focus of ‘portraying the essence of the Markets Area’ clear, we worked to develop many elastic ideas that we could transition into prototype solutions. Working with our pool of research, we sketched 9 possible concepts : 1 Law People/What goes on in there? 0 100 images of the activities in the Four Courts, posted around the outside of the building.

06 Spaces/10 Cameras/10 Locations Placing 10 cameras in 10 locations around the area, from St. Michan’s Park to the Bridewell Garda Station, ABC Fishing Tackle shop and the Hacienda Bar, and broadcasting live feeds from these across the city.

02 Fruit / Vegetables/Flowers /Banana Cam 100 second long video showing produce’s journey from port to customer’s mouth, shown in the trading areas.

7 Hidden Gems/100 Yellow Arrows 0 Building off the international project of the same name, creating and positioning 100 signs that point to the hidden gems of the area, with a Google map showing these also.

3 Trading/The 3 Marketeers 0 Cartoon strip that follows 3 people of the Market’s Area — a street trader, large scale wholesaler and a bartering trader.

8 People/1000 Photos Diary 0 Give 20 people a camera for 5 days and transform their images into a visual diary of life in the area.

4 Informal Activities 0 /Compare the Markets 10 depictions of how the area is used by people, contrasted with how it was designed to be used.

9 History/Sign Posters 0 Add posters to the signs of the area which tell the story of the area.

5 Buildings/Market Building 0 100 photos of the main market building from different angles juxtaposed to create an image matrix.

Deciding Working through the project sketches showed that there was a pattern emerging around ‘stories’. Using this idea as a base we considered how best to capture and display these stories and developed the project ‘Broadcasting People’, which would record the stories of the city, and display them in public areas around the city and online.

338

Stages The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Broadcasting Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; project had three stages and was designed to keep growing and evolving gathering more content as it went. As a prototype we took on parts 1 & 2, testing them out in the Markets Area, and seeing what impact, if any, they would have in the city. Stage 1 10 x video captures Recording different people in the city and telling the story of what connects them to the Markets Area. Stage 2 1 x projection Projecting the video stream at a large scale within the Markets Area for the people passing by and locals to see. 1 x online presence Placing the recordings online and spreading them as widely as possible. 10 x poster transcripts Placing posters in the locations of the recording with a transcript of the story to link it back to the sense of place. Stage 3 100 x video captures (additional) Continuing to grow the project, capturing more stories and spreading them in further locations. Getting people involved in recording, uploading and sharing their own stories of the Markets Area.

340

Broadcasting people Prototype Location 01 Market Studios 02 Market building 03 DUBCO Credit Union 04 The Exchange 05 Zozzy TV 06 YouTube

Stage 1 – Video capture We shot 17 videos representative of a diverse cross section of the people who live, work, play, plan, love, and use the Markets Area. Each video was a snappy story showcasing how these people feel connected to the area, combined with footage of local activities and icons. The interviewees were extremely willing and we were also able to persuade passersby on the streets to take part in ad-hoc interviews.

" My name is Linda and I’m in the markets the last 33 years. I went to the local school, George's Hill, and I absolutely love it here, and I think I’ll be here for another 33 years." Linda Healy

“ Everything is so central, everything is on your doorstep. We have Michan’s Church just over there, we have the fruit markets just down behind us, and Christchurch there, Four Courts, and so we’re surrounded by culture everywhere. Darren Caffrey

343

“ I think the area has character, there’s something about it that’s vibrant, and attractive and I enjoy being here. I hope that this type of program will draw us more together as a community, I think that can only be for the better, and I think in the longer term, although we’ve lost many of the characters that were here we should develop a community that has sort of a positive outlook on life and a positive outlook for what we can do for the area that we live in. I love being here." Allen Prosser

“ This place is a buzzing place, a busy place, a busy area. I love the closeness to the city centre of this area. I could never do suburbia, it’s either the city centre or the sticks, because even though it’s a big city you can still meet people here.” Mags Maxwell

344

“ I’ve been here now for almost 40 years, I’m still a blow in! The great thing about living here, is the neighbourliness, the good neighbours you have around here. They protect each other. They look after each other. That’s one of the finer points of the square and it’s one of the most beautiful squares left in the city, undisturbed and unspoiled." Robert O’Toole

“ My name is Tom Coffey from the Dublin City Business Association. We are interested in this area because it is one of the most important parts of the city. This is the old Irish quarter. In Medieval times the Vikings were up on the hill in Christchurch behind me, and the Irish were down here trading, and they’re still trading. This area has been neglected somewhat but it has huge potential in terms of the local economy and in terms of the international produce that we can eat and deliver here to Irish people in terms of organic food and in terms of new types of jobs and revive it into also an international tourist quarter." Tom Coffey

345

" The undercroft of Mary’s Abbey is just about 100 or 200 yards away from where I’m standing, and in fact we have a wonderful historic spine that goes from the Abbey and right through to what building is behind me, which is of course the great Green Street Courthouse, associated with Emmet, and Wolfe Tone, and Mitchell and old Finian’s.” Geraldine Walsh

" The market just has this kind of traditional culture that I think all the markets in the world have, before even the Wall Street stock market opens the vegetable markets always open in the first times you know. It just has this great tradition that even if you go to the Rungis Market in Paris, or the International Market in London, you know, any of the major markets, you’ll see first thing in the morning all the traders hustling and bustling against each other, swearing, cursing whatever, but by midday they’re all having a cup of tea together, so this is one good thing about the markets you know.” Mia Manaan

346

Stage 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Projecting The second stage of the project involved taking the 17 recordings and broadcasting them to the city.

01 Markets Studio, Markets Area We projected across the street onto the wall of the school. Although only visible at night, it was extremely dramatic and gathered groups of passersby who paused to watch and absorb.

02 Markets building We hung a screen in the markets building and had many people stopping by. It ended up becoming a sort of forklift drive-in cinema.

03 DUBCO Credit Union, Markets Area We showed the recording on their information screens in the lobby area.

347

04 The Exchange, Temple Bar We used their front window for projecting. It was a great venue for showing the Markets Area to a wider audience in a space that is nearby and yet unconnected.

05 Zozzy TV We uploaded the video to ZozzyTV, which has two large screens on the city's biggest shopping streets, Grafton Street and Henry Street, which stream user created content.

06 YouTube The videos were also uploaded to YouTube so that they would be available to anyone across the city as a more permanent resource and inspiration.

348

Feedback Feedback has been overall encouraging and positive, both from what we heard and the engagement we have watched at the various locations. ›› T he videos have been viewed 1069 times, and have received many positive comments online – “Didn’t know of this place before and I love this – weaving narratives around one part of the city. I love Dublin.” ›› P eople stopped and watched the projections in each of their locations, the traders created a forklift drive-in cinema, the Gardai told us they enjoyed the late night show at the Market Studios and passersby young and old spent time enjoying the experience. ›› T he people who we recorded expressed how pride in the fact that they were able to represent their local area by taking part. ›› W e heard that people were excited to see that there were hidden activities, spaces and characters to meet in this area of the city. ›› M any visitors actually went to the Markets Area to see and watch the projected video, which brought added footfall to the area at various times of day and night. ›› D CC responded really positively to how cheap and easy it was to create this rough and ready, but still highly effective snapshot of the area. They were also excited to see how easy and handy it was to display the recordings.

350

Prototype 07

URBAN LIVING

A destination place to pause caffeinate, sit, walk, reflect & chat

CAN AREAS OF THE CITY OFFER A MORE VIBRANT, DIVERSE, FLEXIBLE, COMFORTABLE, LIVING EXPERIENCE?

Concept

Volunteers

Waste Material

Flexible Evolving Locally owned Maintained spaces How? By combining people with energy and skills, resources that are being wasted and spaces in need of change in a mutually beneficial way. When you challenge people to imagine how they wish Dublin could be they often talk about beautiful, cosy, relaxing, friendly, outdoor spaces. In contrast, all too often you hear how outdoor spaces go wrong, attracting antisocial behaviour, being expensive to create and maintain, and ultimately not meeting the needs of people. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Urban Livingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; aims to test how volunteers, using waste materials, can create flexible, evolving, locally owned and maintained spaces that grow the living city that people wish for. 354

PROTOTYPE OVERVIEW

Project ideas

Project definition

Site Study & Open Days

A Page 357

B Page 363

Page 365

Prototype

Future scenarios

Inspiration

C Page 367

Page 372

Page 373

Site Study Once the Marketâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Area was chosen as our working area, we spent time walking, experiencing and investigating it. We photographed and built up a picture of the visual language of the spaces. We captured our initial ideas for change, and the impressions that led us to imagine them. We also conducted more involved site studies of the area. In particular we investigated the formal and informal built environment, the activities and people of the area. All of these elements helped to frame the 'urban living' project. Some of the descriptors that emerged from the site studies included â&#x20AC;&#x201D; disjointed, rigid, cold, sharp, unwelcoming, cut off, mechanical, gated, unharmonious, strangled, secluded, old-fashioned, unsavoury, run down, underused, broken and cracked, shabby and dull.

358

Site Study of the built environment

Open DayS During the Open Days, two days of street engagement, we talked to as broad a range of people as possible from all around the area. The people included tourists passing through, people living in the area, traders, publicans, teachers, people that service the area, artists working in the area, workers in community organisations, and people from the law world. We asked them questions related to what they thought, what they would change, and what they loved in the area. One question related to people telling us how they would describe the Markets Area to a friend. We heard many good things about the wonderful people in the area, but also many thoughts about how poor the area is at meeting their needs. People commented on the aesthetics of the place, how it looked dull and dirty and had gone to ruin over the years.

We heard Not safe to play on streets Susan Mooney

Shabby Michael Morrisey

Empty zone. Not friendly Very rough Gerry Durcan

A mess now Not very much of interest & be careful walking through Gerry Durcan

No reason to come here…what reason would I have? Alan Richardson

More going on than meets the eye Run down, historical, interesting, dirty Peter O’Brien

Disinterested – nothing to do Geraldine

Bit of energy/life Gerard

There’s nothing at all for 8 – 16 year olds to do Car park is a waste of space Aileen

Industrial, lacking trees Shane

361

Become more open & appealing David Smith

We also heard people’s wishes for a rich, desirable area, full of offerings, as well as the need for a stimulating environment that would allow for participation and engagement. If there was something going on in the area that I could get involved in I’d love to get involved Shauna Browne

Public space, indoor and outdoor, intimate park, more trees Cafes on streets, galleries Shane

More going on than meets the eye Run down, historical, interesting, dirty Peter O’Brien

Abandoned areas used People to see nature Places for teens Sergej Sokolov

I’d love to put on a festival It has the potential to be a new Temple Bar, but more authentic Colm Sexton

Community space, workshops, art classes, AND outdoor areas Nuala O’Loughlin

Clean place up, make more desirable Michael Morrisey

Covered, garden style area with flea markets & fruit markets Peter O’Brien

362

Pattern structure The pattern forming from what we’d heard, combined with our observations and research, clearly indicated that something was lacking in the area. We named this — a lack of vibrancy and diversity. Using the lack of vibrancy and diversity lens, we identified 7 key considerations that helped to frame the 'Urban Living' project going forward. › Smells and sounds › Flowers, trees and general greenery › People using the area › Choice of offerings (shops and stalls) › Public art › Rest areas and places for people to congregate › Children playing in the area

364

Project ideas As a next step we searched our idea pool and pulled out 50 ideas that could potentially contribute to the vibrancy and diversity of the Markets Area. These ideas ranged from simple activities like cinema nights, to radical urban interventions such as creating play spaces in a vacant car park, and systems for creating variety, like a hotel style vacant space reservation website. From these ideas we developed 3 key structures to address the lack of vibrancy and diversity challenge. ›› Facilitation of local community projects ›› F acilitation of public spaces allocated to artists ›› Food and merchandise stalls We developed each of these structures, looking at potential locations, and possible champions in the area and began to imagine how they could be designed in a holistic way. After a while we realised that these structures were quite limited and didn’t originate from a core understanding of the challenge. So we returned to the drawing board to better appreciate what lack of vibrancy and diversity is about and to create more grounded solutions.

FUture scenarios We took the descriptors that had come from the 'Site Study' and 'Open Days', and for each one wrote a future scenario where we described a solution to the challenge.

When I look around the area I feel like Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m in a different time. The uniqueness shines out.

I imagine awnings of all different colours giving shelter to the entrances of shops.

I can see clearly where I am allowed to walk. Road markings and signposts are clearly displayed.

There are places to sit in comfort, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shelter from the elements. I can sit in the sun.

367

It’s great to be able to find quiet spots to hide in, I can get real ‘me’ time to do what I want.

I get the sense that people care about the properties they own and work in. People are sweeping entrances and washing exteriors. I’d be embarrassed to litter here.

I feel I can go and explore the area. I feel invited into spaces and shops. If I stand and observe the area I don’t feel like I’m loitering.

Tops of walls are free from barbed wire and broken glass. Gates don’t look so menacing.

Shop signs are freshly painted and when you walk by shop windows they are clean. There’s no litter on the streets.

I don’t get the impression of people wanting to isolate themselves. The area encourages people to lose their inhibitions.

368

Every corner shows excitement down each path, it’s hard to choose a direction because they all sound and look good.

Footpaths are easy to navigate. I don’t have to dodge crates and waster. Prams wheels don’t catch in holes/cracks.

Hard edges are smoothed with foliage. More organic shapes are used in fences and buildings.

Shops are clearly shops. People are sitting and chatting outside.

When I look around I see little details and quirky oddities in the most unusual and obscure places. Space is utilised to it’s full potential.

369

These mini scenario descriptors helped us to get a better sense of what we very trying to achieve with the 'urban living' project in terms of the feeling, atmosphere and key changes. We were aiming to create a space reminiscent of a village square where people could pause, sit, caffeinate, reflect and watch the hustle and bustle of daily life around them. There were a number of attributes that we identified as being central to the project : ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ››

Village feel Flexible space People indulging in and enjoying new offerings Different types of hustle and bustle Comfort in urban spaces A sheltered secluded space that everybody can enjoy.

370

01 Bushwaffle Amsterdam, Netherlands Inflatable modular urban furniture.

02 Free Zone Copenhagen, Denmark Budapest, Hungary Istanbul, Turkey Gothenburg, Sweden The exhibition project â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Free Zoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; focuses on the boundaries between private and public space within the city scape.

371

Inspiration We were particularly inspired after reading an article, which examined how the city of New York, and Gehl Architects are trying to make cities sweeter for people by giving public space back to people. It made us question how such a project could happen in Dublin and reflect on the fact that this city tends to choose high cost solutions, rather than making temporary interventions and understanding first how well the plan works. These examples helped us to think more clearly about the prototype design and the essential elements that it needs to cover, from being temporary and flexible in nature, to how it should create a relaxed and enjoyable space.

03 Gehl Architects TImes Square, New York

372

Urban living room We wanted to create an experience that was quintessentially Markets Area and involved as many local people in the project as possible. We decided to hinge the prototype on local people building street furniture that would be used to create a space to pause, sit, caffeinate, relax, chat and reflect outside the market building. We hoped that the process of building and creating the street furniture would in itself add vibrancy to the area, and getting people involved would make it a project that was owned by the community. We developed 5 key criteria for the project: 1.â&#x20AC;&#x201A; Use recycled materials from the local businesses in the building of the street furniture. 2. When the furniture was completed, it would be placed around the area and used at the publicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s convenience. 3. Each bench, seat, or table would be painted in vibrant colours. 4. Make it easy for people to move the furniture around with minimal effort. 5. Furniture would be constructed by volunteers from the surrounding area under the guidance and tutelage of skilled, volunteer craftsmen. The prototype had 2 stages - firstly, we created a workshop in which we designed and built the street furniture. Secondly, we brought the final pieces out into the street and tested their impact.

374

URBAN LIVING PROTOTYPE Location 01 Mary's Lane 02 Little Mary Street 03 Mary Street

In keeping with the project challenge of lack of vibrancy and diversity, we aimed to have the workshop located in a space that was quite public, open and allowed us to engage with passersby. After many conversations with the market manager and meeting all health and safety regulations and other requirements, we were given the go-ahead to use a vacant berth in the main market building. The space offered the necessary infrastructure and space as well as the ideal levels of public visibility.

378

Collaborators & volunteers The prototype came to life with the involvement of the local community and interested citizens. Using social media we put a citywide call out for volunteers interested in creating street furniture. We also spread the word around the Markets Area through Brad贸g, HACE, DIT, the MACRO centre and the Christian Mission to get the most local involvement. In particular we hoped that people with wood working skills would get involved to pass on their knowledge and lead the build. We discovered the 'Wood Collective', who are a group of people who collaborate and create projects with the aim of educating people of the uses, benefits and sustainable qualities of wood in construction. They were delighted to come on board as collaborators. Overall throughout the course of the 2 weeks we had 17 volunteers get involved. They ranged in age from 22 to 75, were an equal gender mix, and even included people of other nationalities, from Spain and Portugal. Some of the volunteers had no previous wood working experience but were keen to learn. They helped with painting and decorating the furniture, dismantling the pallets, collecting materials, transporting the furniture and setting up the workshop space. Some of the volunteers brought their health and safety training experience so that the project would comply with the risk assessment requirements. Also, three carpenters offered their time and skills in support of the project.

Materials & tools The furniture was mostly made from recycled waste material. At the end of each day we salvaged broken pallets from the streets and rubbish. After a while, the traders began to bring their broken pallets over to be used rather than throwing them away. Dublin City Council donated paint remnants from previous projects and brushes, as well as safety gear from steelcapped boots to high visibility jackets and safety goggles. This process highlighted a gap in the use / waste systems of the area. Every working day in the markets, unwanted pallets, some of them broken, but others in good condition, are left on the streets and pathways by the traders. Many of these same traders often complained that they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have enough pallets to carry out their daily business, and at the same time the collection and removal of the unclaimed pallets is a major ongoing expense for Dublin City Council.

Bearing in mind the core intention of the project, we searched the Markets Area to find the best possible location for the furniture. We settled on the triangular, area in front of the market building on Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lane. With its central location and proximity to the high ornate walls of the markets building, the space offered both natural protection form the elements and a visually attractive backdrop. The furniture was also used as part of the 'Golden Path' prototype.

Location Unfortunately the site didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t turn out to be as suitable as hoped, being on the north side of the building it offered little sun. It was also extremely hectic from early morning until mid afternoon when forklifts, trucks, pallets, crates and people were constantly moving in and around the area. We originally thought the traders would have been glad of the seats and benches but realised that in fact they would have caused massive disruption if left in situ for the entire day. Therefore, the furniture was placed outside the markets building at 3pm each afternoon and brought back inside the markets building just before the workshop closed at 9pm.

Learnings & recommendations Show donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t talk The traders in the market building were initially hesitant about sharing space to facilitate the street furniture workshop. When they saw the space active and the ideas in action, they came to support the project and many commented that it brought some badly needed life back into the area. Gratitude is a simple thing Passersby really appreciated the seating and many expressed their gratitude for the work that the team and volunteers took on. People want to help love the city The people who volunteered in making the furniture said they would be delighted to get involved in similar projects if they were to occur in the future. One of the volunteers has used the project as portfolio material to access a course in further education. The process can be applied anywhere in the city Two festival organisers have expressed interest in using the furniture at events. This made us realise that this type of furniture can be built and prototyped anywhere in the city. Use the resources of the city as teaching tools Teachers from the local primary school told us they believed the project offered an interesting way to encourage their student to be aware of waste and the importance of recycling in the city.

385

Prototype 08

CREATIVITY NETWORK Creating bang encounters that influence action

CAN WE CLUSTER PEOPLES’ CREATIVE ENERGY TO MAKE THE CITY MORE APPEALING?

Concept

Dots : Stakeholders (white) inspirers (black) Arrows : Inspirers introduce new ideas and provide an external point of view Loops : Creative projects

How? By empowering and connecting people to each other and the projects that they love, want to do and can help the city. A city without activity, projects and happenings, is nothing more than a maze of empty, boring spaces. Cities need people and action to make them appealing, all happening in a big messy system of collaboration, linkages, and communication. When gaps happen in the system, people become isolated, actions pause and the city loses its appeal. 'Creativity Network' aims to un-pause the Markets Area through a network of people connecting and collaborating on projects that help their area of the city. 390

PROTOTYPE OVERVIEW

Project foundations

Projects emerging

Emerging Creativity Network

Page 393

Page 397

Page 402

Creativity Network

Page 403

Creativity Network future

Creativity Network sketch

Speed dating

Testing network

01 Page 407

02 Page 411

Page 413

Page 417

Investigation We began our exploration of the Markets Area using 2 styles of investigation.

A. Open Days We engaged with passersby on streets and popped into organisations, businesses or stakeholders in the area over the course of 3 days.

B. Site Study We dove into understanding the ways, context, history, uses, environment, people, movement and economy of the area. Through this research pool we were able to identify things that were lacking in the area from interaction and safety to movement and identity. The ‘Creativity Network’ project eventually evolved to answer two — lack of linkages and lack of fun/lightness.

394

Lack of linkages Many of the people we engaged with explained the difficulties and challenges that they encountered using the Markets Area. ›› D CC Many groups and individuals felt as though DCC were faceless in the community, that they had been ignored by DCC when they created the Markets Area plan and that they unnecessarily blocked positive actions such as youth organised events. ›› M ACRO Although named and intended to be a resource centre for the community, it was widely felt that it was no longer serving the community and was a very unfriendly place for users. ›› Disconnected groups Many of the groups and organisations brought up the fact that they didn’t have strong ties to like-minded or nearby organisations, and in fact many didn’t even know of their existence. ›› D isconnected area As a part of the city the Markets Area is strangely unknown and many people have no sense that it exits, or that it’s full of interesting places and experiences such as shopping in the markets. ›› B usiness/Community gap Only a small number of local workers actually live in the area so they do not share the same area concerns, in fact, since the workers don’t live locally, they are largely ignored by the Councillors for the area, leaving a gap in the influence level of the two parties. ›› U n-mixing residents Many people told us how they like their apartment block, flat complex or square in how it’s isolated from others and they hope to keep it this way, making poor use of facilities such as the Kevin Barry pitch, and preventing community cohesion. Many of these failed linkages were represented through small examples but when grouped and analysed depicted a clear picture that ‘linkages’ on a broad level were lacking in the Market’s Area. 395

Lack of fun and lightness ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ››

“Area feels shabby” “Church St. at Luas is OK, but either direction is not OK” “Make place more presentable – clean it up” “Feels unfriendly, empty zone, industrial place” “Officey, law attire – out of court” “Become more open, more appealing” “Legal epicentre” “More going on than meets the eye” “Dreary cycle” “Rundown” “Kippy” “Not enough market area” “Poor area, beautiful in the past, functional, no feeling of belonging/community” “Disinterested”

dditionally we analysed the Site Study work, which revealed further patterns and insights. A By synthesising both pieces of research we were able to compile a summary of findings related to the area. ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ››

Empty, wasted space Legal epicentre Officey, formal Shabby, rundown, dreary Industrial Disinterested, nothing to do, area turns its back on you – ‘the wall’ Walls – virtual/psychological/real/tangible Not appealing – lack of approachability More going on that meets the eye Be brave, or part of the system… intimidating?

396

Diagram of linkages in the Markets Area

Lack of linkages We continued to investigate the two streams of research â&#x20AC;&#x201D; lack of linkages and fun and lightness. We formed a core thesis; that linkages in the area need to happen organically, through collaboration on mutually beneficial projects. The big idea that formed for this project was to create a space in the area where dialogue happens openly and honestly, where action and activity is possible. We had two plans, firstly to change the way people think about and relate to their area, working towards collective change and action, through generating programmes, ideas and events. Secondly we hoped to create bang moments between people by bringing them together and igniting conversations and interactions.

Lack of fun and lightness The big vision for this project was to transform the Markets Area into a great fun place with a real sense of humour, making it a lively place to live, work , play and pass through. We realised that the challenge was actually about appeal, rather than fun and lightness, since these didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t suit some people and we were aiming to create a solution that was inclusive of everyone in the area. Once we began dissecting and understanding appeal, and the closed circle system of causes and symptoms that contribute to it, we realised that the best focus of our energy would be in finding ways to make people feel and get more creative. We believed that people addressing the symptoms of lack of appeal, such as shabbiness, the dearth of exciting goings on, and the unfriendly environment, would not only directly make the area more appealing quickly but would also affect the root causes of the challenge.

399

LACK OF CONSIDERATION (FOR PEOPLE & PLACE)

Lack of respect

Lack of civic pride

Lack of ownership

Rundown, Shabby, Boring, Intimidating etc.

LACK OF APPEAL

Resulting symptoms Cause Visible symptoms Resulting symptoms

400

“The lack of linkages project was focused on creating linkages through action, whereas the lack of appeal project was focused on creating action through linkages. One project was about the content created and the other about the mechanism to create content. They were naturally symbiotic in nature so the two projects merged and the beginning of the ‘Creativity Network’ emerged.” As both ‘lack of’ projects grew we realised that they would compliment each other very well in a partnership.

Emerging creativity network During our initial conversations we had noticed a strategic and interesting potential link between the DCC market building, George's Hill Primary School, Get Up and Grow and The Markets Studios (artists). All four were physically very close, and were right by the central hub of the activity and movement in the area. We felt that something interesting could emerge if we could get the four of them working together on projects… essentially creating a micro creativity network. As we considered this possibility other exciting questions emerged. ›› H ow could we include all the resources of the area? Would they provide a ‘frame’ for the network to work from? ›› W hat other natural links exist locally? Who are the other stakeholders that could be brought in? Are there other creative people in that city who’s involvement would be positive? ›› A re we trying to make the Markets Area ‘a place to be creative’ for anyone in the city? Alternately are we aiming to ‘make the place creative’ with the emphasis on local businesses and residents? hese questions widened our thoughts and we decided to completely open up the idea T and include as many varied types of people and interests as we possibly could in a macro ‘Creativity Network’. As the net widened, there would be no need to include physical resources from the areas (such as parks or particular buildings) as the plan would be to ensure that the gatekeepers to those resources would be part of the network. We therefore split the proposed participants of the proposed ‘Creativity Network’ into two groups; 'stakeholders' (ie people from the area, such as residents, the school principal, the DCC Parks local representative, etc) and 'inspirers' (people with no particular relationship with the area). The proposal was to have a healthy mix of both types. This approach meant that it would both create a place to be creative and for the place to be creative itself.

402

Structure So if there was to be some form of creative network, what form would it take, who should run it, what type of projects should it create, etc? We realised that our sole role was to act as a catalyst, and an initial facilitator, and to then let the network form in its own way, setting it up sufficiently well to be able to grow and continue itself. As such we created guidelines for ourselves for imagining the network structure. A. It needs be self-organising with a flat structure. B. It needs to be easy to maintain. C. People would need to meet, and with ease ignite random creative sparks with others. D. We would not be involved in the medium or long-term maintenance of the ‘Creativity Network’.

405

Another consideration was the actual purpose and outcomes from the network. People who would be getting involved in the network needed to get something out of the experience. Working from this perspective and the project core we developed 3 key criteria for the work and projects, which would emerge from the network. A. Each person involved with the network needed to be getting something out of it, so that they didn’t lose interest. B. The Markets Area had to be getting something out of it, so the projects developed by the network needed to be 'public' in some form. C. Projects developed by the network had to create as many linkages as possible, rather than settling for a simple exchange, they should challenge themselves to involve multiple partners, especially in a way that could benefit a wider community. While we had a good idea of ‘why’ the network was important, and had considered the desired outcomes it hoped to achieve, we wanted to hold off on formalising ‘how’ it would work until we had met with the potential people involved and understand what would best meet their needs.

406

01 Speed dating We decided to run an initial process, which would bring together the potential members of the ‘Creativity Network’ and allow their interactions, conversations, project ideas and wishes to inform the next project steps.

Inviting We combined our collections of potential contacts, discussed headings, and added more, and more contacts. We made sure to invite an even number of local ‘stakeholders’ and city wide ‘inspirers’ to attend. Since we were aiming for a broad and mixed group we were very conscious to make the invite personal and emphasised that the process and creativity as a concept was open to people from all experiences and places. While we emailed most invites there were a number of people who we approached differently, such as elderly local residents, those we particularly wanted to encourage to attend but who were disillusioned with projects such as ours ("we've seen it all before" they commented), or those who may be confused or curious about why we wanted their involvement, for example the market traders.

Location We wanted to find a space to hold the initial gathering that would be 'creative', rather than being a standard-feeling meeting room. It also needed to be local to the Markets Area, and still be suitable for hosting a gathering of people. We were lucky to have found and been granted the use of a room in Green Street Courthouse, which was an immensely historical and inspirational space. More importantly the Building Unit section of the courts agreed to participate in the network, already building up the links to key holders of local resources. 407

Process We decided to simply 'speed date' the entire group, so for 4 minutes two people would talk to one another. They were challenged during the speed dating, not just to get to know the other person a little, but to also come up with potential projects that both would be interested in pursuing within the Markets Area. The participants were invited to "talk to people that they didn't know”. We occasionally stepped in and helped with the 'mixing up' by ensuring age groups mixed well, that people who already had ideas in mind had the opportunity to ‘date’ relevant others and that no one was left isolated or stayed static too long. At the end of the session we asked all participants to present to the group the ideas that they found to be most interesting.

Outcomes ›› 3 8 people attended the 'Creativity Network' kick off ›› 143 project ideas emerged ›› 2 3 themes developed when the ideas were grouped We felt that the idea of the ‘Creativity Network’ was successful. There were numerous great ideas, which responded well to the criteria we had outlined. More importantly, there appeared to be a great hunger and interest in being involved with making their ideas real. The participants seemed to have fruitful conversations and initiated or built exciting linkages.

CREATIVITY NETWORK PROTOTYPE Location 01 Green Street Courthouse 02 Chancery Street Courthouse

PROPOSAL Based on what happened at the initial Speed Dating process, we designed the structure of the network going forward. We compiled a list of the properties that it should have. ›› Easily managed, from organizing meetings to following up after. ›› People can easily join at any stage. ›› Everyone is equal. ›› Composed of a healthy mix of ‘inspirers’ and ‘stakeholders’ ›› Breaks down barriers. ›› Encourages random, unforeseen connections. ›› F acilitates people getting to know each other, in both a professional and personal context. ›› A person/group is needed to ‘keep it alive’. ›› Results need to be visible to the public. ›› Scheduled, rather than relying on an informal timetable. ›› C ontract decided between participants, considering when meetings are held, etc. ›› Inclusive of all age groups, ethnicities etc. ›› Fun and positive experience. The current proposal is that a ‘Creativity Network’ meeting be held every 3 months. Participants might attend every meeting, or they might choose to only attend one once a year. Each meeting would be split into two parts : ›› Quick Speed Dating - where people purely brainstorm. ›› Slow Dating - where people advance their ideas towards projects. The emphasis would be on the latter stage, and it could revolve around food (for example tapas at each 'round'). We wanted to create a robust structure, one that could act as a strong backbone, but which could grow, evolve and be flexible. We imagined that occasionally it could become a street feast, perhaps seasons or events are celebrated (a masked meeting at Halloween), and guest lecturers could speak for a short time at the start to stimulate ideas.

412

02 TESTING NETWORK We decided to hold a second process that would serve as a tester for how the network would continue going forward and give us a chance to hear back from the network users. This second meeting focused on progressing the 'ideas' towards more concrete 'projects', and aimed to have participants commit to at least one. We felt that the best way for something like the ‘Creativity Network’ to succeed was for it to start to generate visible results.

Preparing process This process built on the first, but added an extra layer of testing how the network could structure itself and it’s meetings going forward. There were 4 key elements we hoped to accomplish during the process. ›› T ake the ideas from the first meeting a step further, and ask people to commit to at least one project. ›› Provide further opportunity for linkages. ›› Explain the ‘form’ that the ‘Creativity Network’ might take. ›› Handover the organising of the ‘network’ to the group. In preparation for the process we grouped all of the participants ideas from the first meeting onto sheets, which made them more digestible and easier to engage with quickly. We hoped that in this form they would serve as a good kick off for delving into projects and generating discussion. As the Designing Dublin project was to finish very shortly after the second process, we wanted to also ensure that we had someone interested and capable to 'handover the torch'. We hoped that this would be a revolving responsibility, taken on by different people each time. The Market Studios, a local artists space, had seemed particularly interested so we offered them the role of organising the next meeting. We met with them, explained the idea further, answered their concerns and they agreed that they'd be delighted to organise the next meeting.

413

Process For this second iteration we ran a slower ‘speed dating’ process with the participants, this time giving each conversation 15 minutes to explore, consider, and build upon the ideas generated at the first event. After 3 rounds, we asked participants to sign up to developing 1-3 of the projects in collaboration with others. Finally we explained the general idea behind the ‘Creativity Network,’ what form it would take, the elements it would have and how people could stay involved, own and grow it. We introduced the Market Studios as the next event organisers and invited people to contribute their feedback, on both the concept and structure of the network.

Process Outcomes ›› 27 people attended the second gathering ›› 42 project commitments were recorded ›› 1 member took on the organising role going forward

414

'Creativity Network' second process, Testing Network

Feedback We received a large pool of feedback, both from people who attended either or both of the processes, and even some from those who couldn’t but were following the happenings via email.

DO YOU THINK THAT THIS APPROACH TO ENCOURAGING CREATIVITY AND COLLABORATION CAN WORK AND WHY? ›› " Good grassroots consensus" ›› " Yes because so many great ideas come up" ›› " Yes, I met people I would have never met before." ›› " A great diversity of people discussing relevant issues, coming up with ideas and possible solutions." ›› " Yes because of the diversity of people present." ›› " Yes, it takes a while to get the hang of it but in practice it works very well." ›› " Yes. Interested people working together can always achieve results."

Selection of email comments received ›› " …if you have not already could you send on the contact details from the last meeting. I met some very interesting people." ›› " I have read both documents and I am quite impressed. Its nice to see such creativity, energy and enthusiasm. Bradóg will be at the next meeting." ›› " I appreciate the notes and it would appear you have catalysed something that has legs. Best wishes with everything "

HOW WOULD YOU LET MORE PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THIS CREATIVITY NETWORK? ›› " Action. It will advertise itself if successful."

416

Do you know of anyone else who may be interested in getting involved in the network? ›› " Yep – would put them in touch." ›› "Yes, I'll let them know." ›› " Yes – other sector/ Gardaí" ›› "Yes – will network same." ›› " Yes. Some others from the local community who could be persuaded."

Are you interested in getting involved in the Creativity Network? ›› "Yes absolutely." ›› "Yes, I'll stay in contact."

Creativity Network future

Learnings & recommendations

Based on the feedback and outcomes from both processes we felt that the project had gained life and momentum. We felt that the planned format for the 'Creativity Network' was strong and flexible enough and we didn’t make any real changes to how we had envisioned it.

›› T he city could create a designated Prototype Learning Area, an area that acts as an ‘experimentation playground’, where strict rules are relaxed and prototype rules could be created to allow ideas to be quickly and easily tested – the Markets Area would be an ideal area for this.

We created an inspiration pack that could be handed out between organisers, outlining the ideas, contacts and allies of the network. Hopefully this will be a useful resource and catalyst for the champions going forward.

›› T he Markets Area is an area of the city with particularly light traffic at certain times of day. The people that use the area mostly use public transport, walk or cycle through. As such it could act as a wonderful ignition and test area for experimentation around public spaces and movement. Already the Markets Area forms part of a Green Ways route.

Having never intended to be the long-term guardians of its continuity we had created the mechanism from the start to allow the network to live and grow on its own legs. We hope that the ‘Creativity Network’ will continue and believe that we have laid the groundwork and set it up as best we can. We have tried to make it as easy as possible to arrange future meetings and receive as much support as possible from Dublin City Council and other bodies.

›› T here is a natural and exciting mix of uses in the area, which fit in well with a sustainable city ethos, and as such the Markets Area could easily become a leader in pushing towards more sustainable places and systems in the city.

Replicability When we designed the ‘Creativity Network’ project and prototype we intended that it would be able to live on, but we also aspired to create a model that could be replicated in other areas of the city and perhaps even organisations. As the stakeholders in each area would be different, this method could be replicated in different areas and they would produce different results. Equally, the exact form of the meetings might take a slightly different form in different areas depending on the participants. The establishment of a local ‘Creativity Network’ in different areas might therefore be a tool that could be rolled out across the city, transforming and creating linkages in areas where they are needed.

417

418

Outcomes Research

1200 1200 2 12 600 6 3 40

examples ideas

team summaries of 1200 examples individual design projects and prototypes key city centre stakeholders identified

test processes designed days working with process experts Paul and Kristin people engaged in test processes

419

Scheduled conversations

170 4 35 2

stakeholders invited to scheduled conversations

themes for scheduled conversations stakeholders engaged in scheduled conversations

exhibition locations; Filmbase and DCC atrium

420

Street conversations

10 5 15 1000 250 300 400 100

easy ways to engage people in conversation designed

processes for engaging people in conversation carried out locations throughout Dublin used people engaged in conversation

photographs of people engaged in conversation hidden gems revealed insights into Dublin exciting things you didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know about the city centre revealed and documented

421

‘100 Exciting things’ exhibition

4 5 350 250 200 100 5 220 7,894 11

days open to the public in Filmbase exhibition days open to the public in DCC atrium exhibition people attended Filmbase exhibition people attended DCC atrium exhibition feedback sheets collected exciting things you did not know about the city centre mounted on cardboard boxes

pieces of cardboard furniture created photographs of people engaged in conversation mounted on walls views of Google Map ‘100 exciting things’

approaches to mapping city centre

422

Mapping

4 1 1 1

potential focus areas defined GIS expert helping with mapping tool working area defined working session with Ronni Tino

423

Understanding working area

11 10 200 90 50 150 80 11 800

themes explored in site study open day events people engaged in conversation

maps indicating peoples journey through the Markets Area contacts added to database ideas to transform the Markets Area

challenges facing the Markets Area key ‘lacks of…’ in the Markets Area hours developing the project concepts

424

Project development

11 4 11 400 8

project concepts

project marriages prototypes developed hours organising logistics

prototypes

425

Prototype extravaganza

12 3 4 300 1 5

hours

processes for engaging key groups of stakeholder urban areas transformed people engaged in the Markets Area and City

Markets Area transformed for a day photographers taking images of 100 exciting things

426

Project helpers

4 1 3 2 50

architects building cardboard furniture radio presenter architects/designers building prototypes leaders of Out Loud group for 8 weeks people engaged in part-time Love the City network

427

Out loud

5 180

projects prototyped in the city days work

428

Total

259,200 5,000 12,000 10 350 27 9 16 5 11 100,384

minutes of learning

people engaged post-its used

birthdays celebrated blog posts

inspirational speakers

working sessions

books reviewed for book club

project presentations to outside groups weekly hour long radio shows recorded visitors to the blog

429

430

432