Niamh Sweeney

B.Ed 3

Student No: 10329881

Improving the Urban Environment Jacinta Prunty 2001

Introduction: In the 18th Century, Dublin was seen as an important city. However this status changed when, in 1801, Dublins power transferred to Westminster. The wealthy in Dublin moved to suburbs and left Dublins Corporation with little funds. Dublin became an area of poverty, slums and disease. Geographical Context and Administration: Dublin was expanding in all directions. It had a small but growing population due mainly to in-migration, many of them poor. Attempts to improve the city were made through Paving and Street-Widening Commissioners. Catholic Parishes in the city only helped the poor in their own area, with parishes in poorer areas having least money to do so. The Housing Conditions of the Poor 180050: Overcrowding and poor sanitary issues were a serious problem in the city leading to the spread of diseases. Absentee landlords took no initiative to solve the problem and although the poverty was well publicised by the mid-nineteenth century, the government favoured a laissez faire approach. Griffith Valuation, Dublin 1854: This was a report conducted to identify areas of poor housing in the city. It was found that low value residences were widespread throughout Dublin, not solely concentrated to one particular area. They were usually located in unattractive areas, for example, alongside the railway or behind principle thoroughfares. Housing Types: Tenement, infill cottages or cabins and cellars were the three prime locations where the poor located. In many tenement abodes, businesses occupied the ground floor. In Dublin, many were abandoned housing of the rich. It usually involved each family occupying only one room and paying rent on a weekly basis allowing no separate sanitary access for each family leading to unhealthy, dirty conditions. Cabins and cottages were often built on shared land, deprived of light due to high walls. Cellar dwelling were regarded as the worst accommodation with no ventilation. Corporation action on slum housing: Many acts and legislations were introduced to improve the housing conditions of the poor but most failed. Two key moments in the road for improvement were the appointment of the citys first medical officer of health and the passing of the Sanitary Act (1866) which brought about the formation of the Public Health Committee of Dublin Corporation. This corporation made significant advances to the tenement crises. It brought about the clearing of slums, the building of housing for the working class and the sewering of streets especially in twelve particularly unhealthy areas. First Steps: Two Schemes by the Dublin Artizans Dwellings Company: The DADC was a voluntary movement of influential citizens aiming to improve health and general living conditions in the city. The Corporation acquired and cleared the land around the Coombe and Plunket St. and it then leased it to the DADC. The DADC built ventilated, furnished houses with a water supply, proper drainage, and sanitary appliances. However, many of the poorest could not afford these improved dwellings. These schemes were very costly. Block Dwellings and tenement refurbishment: In an attempt to better the slum situation block dwellings were built. Apartments could accommodate greater numbers when housing the huge population living in the slums. Still, there were mixed views on the apartments. Iveagh Trust scheme: This was a scheme, originally sponsored by the Guinness family, to house the poorest people in Dublin. However, it was controversial as some say that the poorest people rarely benefited from it. Dwellings, shops public baths, a swimming pool, hostel and play centre were built. Condemnation and closing of insanitary dwellings 1879-82: The Corporation closed houses that were deemed unfit for humans to live in. Nearly 2,000 houses were closed. Once the sanitary regulations were applied, they could be reopened. However, many reopened regardless. Public Heath Reports: Many inspections of dwellings and companies occurred. Owners of dwellings who were fined for the insanitary state of their dwellings were made public. In 1893, Dr. Cullen reported that housing conditions were improving and they were on par with cities such as London. Retrospect: Disease, poverty and poor housing conditions were key issues in the nineteenth century. A number of acts to improve the housing conditions were introduced yet they made slow progress. However, improvements were made but the poorest dwellings still remained rather dismal by the end of the nineteenth century.