Environmental quality and Environmental quality and heritage issuesheritage issues

Three most important environmental Three most important environmental issues in cities are air pollution, waste issues in cities are air pollution, waste

disposal and water qualitydisposal and water quality

Air pollutionAir pollution

Burning of fossil fuels and traffic emissions lead to Burning of fossil fuels and traffic emissions lead to poor air quality and high pollutionpoor air quality and high pollution

Laws been produced due to poor air qualities in Laws been produced due to poor air qualities in many citiesmany cities

Smog is a brownish yellow haze caused when the Smog is a brownish yellow haze caused when the sun light cause pollutants in the air to chemically sun light cause pollutants in the air to chemically react with each otherreact with each other

Nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide and volatile Nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide and volatile organic compounds: can cause ground level organic compounds: can cause ground level ozone causing lung problems and reduce plant ozone causing lung problems and reduce plant growthgrowth

Air pollutionAir pollution

Particulate matter: can cause bronchitis or asthma Particulate matter: can cause bronchitis or asthma Mega cities around the world tend to have a smog Mega cities around the world tend to have a smog

problem problem Smog can cause Acid Rain which damages Smog can cause Acid Rain which damages

buildings and statuesbuildings and statues Till 1980s a layer of fog surrounded Dublin and Till 1980s a layer of fog surrounded Dublin and

other urban centres (in Ireland caused by mixing other urban centres (in Ireland caused by mixing fog and smoke) fog and smoke)

Hospital admissions and death for respirtory Hospital admissions and death for respirtory disorders highdisorders high

Air pollution Air pollution

Air pollution act 1987: banned the sale of Air pollution act 1987: banned the sale of smoky coal in citiessmoky coal in cities

Special Control areas were created in which Special Control areas were created in which only smokeless fuels could be usedonly smokeless fuels could be used

Major urban areas followed this policy Major urban areas followed this policy Reduced winter smog and reduced Reduced winter smog and reduced

pollution levels by 70%, linked with a pollution levels by 70%, linked with a decrease in death ratesdecrease in death rates

Reducing air pollution Reducing air pollution

Irish EPA states that traffic emissions are the greatest Irish EPA states that traffic emissions are the greatest cause of pollution in Ireland cause of pollution in Ireland

Nitrogen Oxides and BenzeneNitrogen Oxides and Benzene Under Kyoto Protocol Ireland must reduce its air pollutionUnder Kyoto Protocol Ireland must reduce its air pollution Methods used for reducing air pollution include:Methods used for reducing air pollution include:1.1. Setting lower speed limits on roadsSetting lower speed limits on roads2.2. Making shopping areas pedestrianisedMaking shopping areas pedestrianised3.3. Placing a congestion charge on cars entering certain parts Placing a congestion charge on cars entering certain parts

of citiesof cities4.4. Laws regarding use of cleaner fuelsLaws regarding use of cleaner fuels5.5. Converting public transport to battery powerConverting public transport to battery power6.6. Require industries to remove pollutants from emissions Require industries to remove pollutants from emissions

Smog in Los AngelesSmog in Los Angeles

Clean air act of 1970 succeeded in limiting Clean air act of 1970 succeeded in limiting the build up of smog in urban areasthe build up of smog in urban areas

A smoky dark haze is a regular occurrence A smoky dark haze is a regular occurrence EPA measures levels of smog and regulates EPA measures levels of smog and regulates

producers producers Vehicle emissions is the most common Vehicle emissions is the most common

causecause The smog irritates the eyes and throat and The smog irritates the eyes and throat and

may lead to respiratory failuremay lead to respiratory failure

Waste disposal in Urban areasWaste disposal in Urban areas

Almost 2 tonnes of waste is produced per person Almost 2 tonnes of waste is produced per person per yearper year

The UN Development Programme estimates more The UN Development Programme estimates more that five million people die a year from diseases that five million people die a year from diseases related to inadequate waste disposalrelated to inadequate waste disposal

Under EU law all member must manage there own Under EU law all member must manage there own waste disposal systemwaste disposal system

In Ireland fully integrated waste management In Ireland fully integrated waste management system is being put into place with the objective system is being put into place with the objective being 40% recycling, 40% thermal treatment and being 40% recycling, 40% thermal treatment and 20% landfill20% landfill

Methods of waste disposal: Methods of waste disposal: Landfill disposalLandfill disposal

Giant rubbish dump Giant rubbish dump In the past cheap method of disposalIn the past cheap method of disposal Sao Paulo: poor people often search landfills for Sao Paulo: poor people often search landfills for

scrap metal and things they can sellscrap metal and things they can sell About 60% of Irelands waste ends up in landfillAbout 60% of Irelands waste ends up in landfill Landfills generate methane gasLandfills generate methane gas Contamination of land or water due to movement Contamination of land or water due to movement

of materialof material In sustainable society landfill should only be used In sustainable society landfill should only be used

when all options have been exhaustedwhen all options have been exhausted

Methods of waste disposal: Landfill Methods of waste disposal: Landfill disposaldisposal

Landfill disposalLandfill disposal Fire is a serious risk: 2011 a fire occurred in Co. Kildare in Fire is a serious risk: 2011 a fire occurred in Co. Kildare in

a disused landfill, fire lasted several weeks and caused a disused landfill, fire lasted several weeks and caused pollution in local areaspollution in local areas

Urgent need for new methods to replace landfill 16/29 of Urgent need for new methods to replace landfill 16/29 of landfills in Ireland have three years capacity leftlandfills in Ireland have three years capacity left

Pay by weight system for household waste: annual Pay by weight system for household waste: annual payment for collection, pay by weight, result waste been payment for collection, pay by weight, result waste been reducedreduced

West Cork 43% reduction in waste sent to landfill since pay West Cork 43% reduction in waste sent to landfill since pay by weight system came into playby weight system came into play

Methods of waste disposal: Methods of waste disposal: Incineration Incineration

Deals with waste that cant be recycled Deals with waste that cant be recycled Mass burn incinerators burn all waste incl. Mass burn incinerators burn all waste incl.

recyclable material recyclable material Reduces waste by 75% in weight and 90% Reduces waste by 75% in weight and 90%

in volume generating energy that can be in volume generating energy that can be harvested for electricityharvested for electricity

Burnt at 850Burnt at 850°C, most of the ash is non °C, most of the ash is non hazardous: can be used for road hazardous: can be used for road constructionconstruction

Methods of waste disposal: Methods of waste disposal: Incineration Incineration

Release greenhouse gases: dioxins, chemicals Release greenhouse gases: dioxins, chemicals that weaken the immune systemthat weaken the immune system

Ringsend, Dublin, incinerator faced years of Ringsend, Dublin, incinerator faced years of opposition: opposition:

2011 permission granted2011 permission grantedWill handle 600,000 tonnes per annumWill handle 600,000 tonnes per annumProduce 56 megawatts of electricity: enough for Produce 56 megawatts of electricity: enough for

80,000 homes and 20% of Dublin's household 80,000 homes and 20% of Dublin's household electricity needselectricity needs

Reduce reliance on landfillReduce reliance on landfill

Hazardous wasteHazardous waste

Is classified as being hazardous when it displays Is classified as being hazardous when it displays properties that ,make it dangerous or harmful to properties that ,make it dangerous or harmful to human health and the environmenthuman health and the environment

Ireland has 164, 661 tonnes of hazardous waste Ireland has 164, 661 tonnes of hazardous waste produced each yearproduced each year

Currently has no dedicated waste lanCurrently has no dedicated waste landdfill disposal fill disposal facilities facilities

Transported to other countries to be treated Transported to other countries to be treated through Indaver Ireland’s Hazardous Waste through Indaver Ireland’s Hazardous Waste Facility at Dublin PortFacility at Dublin Port

Water quality IssuesWater quality Issues Management and treatment of water is Management and treatment of water is

responsibility of local authoritiesresponsibility of local authorities Water is sourced in Rivers, Springs, Lakes and Water is sourced in Rivers, Springs, Lakes and

StreamsStreams All water is treated before consumptionAll water is treated before consumption Dublin: June 2003, water quality poor at Bull IslandDublin: June 2003, water quality poor at Bull Island Unsightly algal growth built up on Dollymount Unsightly algal growth built up on Dollymount

strand as a result of nitrogen pollution from strand as a result of nitrogen pollution from sewerage in Dublin Baysewerage in Dublin Bay

Changed since 2003 as the €300 million Ringsend Changed since 2003 as the €300 million Ringsend water treatment plant came onlinewater treatment plant came online

Dublin Bay ProjectDublin Bay Project

1.1. Waste treatment plant to meet EU and Waste treatment plant to meet EU and Dublin Bay water quality standardsDublin Bay water quality standards

2.2. A pumping station at SuttonA pumping station at Sutton

3.3. A submarine pipeline under Dublin Bay to A submarine pipeline under Dublin Bay to bring waste water from north Dublin to bring waste water from north Dublin to Ringsend for treatmentRingsend for treatment

Treats 300million litres a dayTreats 300million litres a day

Dublin Bay ProjectDublin Bay Project

Benefits of the Dublin Bay ProjectBenefits of the Dublin Bay Project1.1. Improved water quaility in Dublin BayImproved water quaility in Dublin Bay2.2. Dollymount, Sandymount, and Merrion Dollymount, Sandymount, and Merrion

Strand meet the EU national bathing Strand meet the EU national bathing standardsstandards

3.3. Dumping of sewerage in the sea has Dumping of sewerage in the sea has stopped stopped

4.4. Untreated sewerage is no longer Untreated sewerage is no longer discharged at Howthdischarged at Howth

Heritage and planning issues in Heritage and planning issues in Urban AreasUrban Areas

Heritage is about people, the places where Heritage is about people, the places where they live and the things they have in they live and the things they have in common common

It includes the built and natural environment It includes the built and natural environment

Up until 2016 the government will invest Up until 2016 the government will invest excess of 8 billionexcess of 8 billion

Heritage issues in urban areas:Heritage issues in urban areas:1.1. Destruction of the historic buildings: Destruction of the historic buildings:

As a result of urban decay buildings of As a result of urban decay buildings of architectural and historical interest were architectural and historical interest were destroyed and replaced with modern destroyed and replaced with modern structuresstructures

1960s and 1970s many Georgian buildings 1960s and 1970s many Georgian buildings were demolished in Dublin and the other were demolished in Dublin and the other Irish cities ie. The redevelopment of ‘the Irish cities ie. The redevelopment of ‘the Georgian Mile’Georgian Mile’

Heritage issues in urban area Heritage issues in urban area 2. 2. Derelict sites:Derelict sites:

As a result of destruction of historical buildings As a result of destruction of historical buildings preservation orders put on many buildingspreservation orders put on many buildings

Discourages property owners from developing Discourages property owners from developing sitessites

1970s and 1980s derelict buildings were eyesores 1970s and 1980s derelict buildings were eyesores ie. St Stephens Green shopping centre was an old ie. St Stephens Green shopping centre was an old flea market Dandelion Marketflea market Dandelion Market

Urban renewal act of 1986 aimed to balance urban Urban renewal act of 1986 aimed to balance urban development and preservation of buildingsdevelopment and preservation of buildings

The act has blocked intended construction in order The act has blocked intended construction in order to balance commercial interests and conservationto balance commercial interests and conservation

Heritage issues in urban area Heritage issues in urban area 3. 3. Protection of heritage sites:Protection of heritage sites:

Under 2000 planning act authorities are required Under 2000 planning act authorities are required to protect buildings of architectural, historic and to protect buildings of architectural, historic and artistic interestartistic interest

Listed protected properties may not be demolished Listed protected properties may not be demolished or altered, if ignored then developers will be forced or altered, if ignored then developers will be forced to rebuild the propertiesto rebuild the properties

Planning permission now requires excavations on Planning permission now requires excavations on sites being developedsites being developed

Building of the M2 close to the hill of Tara caused Building of the M2 close to the hill of Tara caused controversy controversy

Carrickmines Castle planning Carrickmines Castle planning controversy controversy

Historical important site in Dublin caused Historical important site in Dublin caused controversycontroversy

The area became a controversial archaeological The area became a controversial archaeological site in south Dublin in the late 1990s as the M50 site in south Dublin in the late 1990s as the M50 motorway was designed to run through the sitemotorway was designed to run through the site

Castle was built in Norman timesCastle was built in Norman times Castle was destroyed in a siege in the 1642 Castle was destroyed in a siege in the 1642

rebellion rebellion All that remained section of a medieval wall, part All that remained section of a medieval wall, part

of the gate house, a tower and ditchesof the gate house, a tower and ditches

Carrickmines Castle planning Carrickmines Castle planning controversycontroversy

Authorities approved new route for the M50 Authorities approved new route for the M50 through the site in 1997through the site in 1997

Protesters occupied the site for more thProtesters occupied the site for more thanan 155 155 daysdays, became battleground for development , became battleground for development versus heritage forcesversus heritage forces

Site was excavated Site was excavated forfor two years by archaeologist two years by archaeologist During early completion of the extension of the During early completion of the extension of the

M50 1/3 of the site was destroyedM50 1/3 of the site was destroyed When the final junction was built it destroyed the When the final junction was built it destroyed the

rest of the siterest of the site

Carrickmines Castle planning Carrickmines Castle planning controversycontroversy

To speed up construction the government To speed up construction the government amended the National Monument Act in 2004 to amended the National Monument Act in 2004 to balance the benefits of archaeological balance the benefits of archaeological preservation against public interestpreservation against public interest

Public interest was reducing traffic congestionPublic interest was reducing traffic congestion Amendment appealed in the high court in 2006 Amendment appealed in the high court in 2006

where it ruled in favour of the governmentwhere it ruled in favour of the government

Planning issues with land use Planning issues with land use changechange

In the past urban redevelopment schemes rarely In the past urban redevelopment schemes rarely considered the opinions of residents and local considered the opinions of residents and local businesses etcbusinesses etc

Today planning is carefully controlled Today planning is carefully controlled Modern legislation states that all partners in a Modern legislation states that all partners in a

community need to be consultedcommunity need to be consulted Protecting the interest of heritage, society and Protecting the interest of heritage, society and

economy is part of the consultative processeconomy is part of the consultative process The HARP scheme in Dublin is a good example of The HARP scheme in Dublin is a good example of

this (Historic Area Regeneration Project)this (Historic Area Regeneration Project)