I’m surprised RTÉ produced an article like that. It’s really evident if you visit different parts of the uk I have a decent bit of exposure due to having Irish friends who settled in the UK through education and work while having a long term English girlfriend from a shittier part of England. Friends with phds living in London are having a great time girlfriends family from the midlands with no higher education are suffering(I don’t use that word lightly)
We have a terrible tendency to defer to the brits and follow their example in all things. We need to be smart and learn from their mistakes this time as I feel we’re not on too different a track at the moment. We throw money at issues but we don’t solve the root causes.
We need to recognise just how important the public realm is, both public services and public spaces. The uk has neglected and downgraded public services and poorly managed public spaces and infrastructure.
In Ireland people won’t accept a backslide in public services so the government is forced to increase funding despite being ideologically opposed to doing so. We lack infrastructure and public spaces that’s a problem we really need to address public transport is the cardiovascular system of a country we’re currently losing a fortune sitting in traffic. Public squares and parks fantastic amenities and any of them that are high quality are nationally famous every town needs them.
Dereliction and low density population in our cities and towns is a serious problem if a town of 30000 could add 1000 people living within walking distance of its high street that would give a phenomenal boost to local businesses. We have derelict floors above shops and offices and we have entire derelict buildings and even streets that could be redeveloped to bring good quality housing into central locations this will boost businesses and public transport use/demand.
I know I’m ranting a bit here but it’s something I feel very strongly about and I think we could go either way on this. 1 path leads to a better country and the other leads down the same path as britain.
2 comments
Food for thought.
I’m surprised RTÉ produced an article like that. It’s really evident if you visit different parts of the uk I have a decent bit of exposure due to having Irish friends who settled in the UK through education and work while having a long term English girlfriend from a shittier part of England. Friends with phds living in London are having a great time girlfriends family from the midlands with no higher education are suffering(I don’t use that word lightly)
We have a terrible tendency to defer to the brits and follow their example in all things. We need to be smart and learn from their mistakes this time as I feel we’re not on too different a track at the moment. We throw money at issues but we don’t solve the root causes.
We need to recognise just how important the public realm is, both public services and public spaces. The uk has neglected and downgraded public services and poorly managed public spaces and infrastructure.
In Ireland people won’t accept a backslide in public services so the government is forced to increase funding despite being ideologically opposed to doing so. We lack infrastructure and public spaces that’s a problem we really need to address public transport is the cardiovascular system of a country we’re currently losing a fortune sitting in traffic. Public squares and parks fantastic amenities and any of them that are high quality are nationally famous every town needs them.
Dereliction and low density population in our cities and towns is a serious problem if a town of 30000 could add 1000 people living within walking distance of its high street that would give a phenomenal boost to local businesses. We have derelict floors above shops and offices and we have entire derelict buildings and even streets that could be redeveloped to bring good quality housing into central locations this will boost businesses and public transport use/demand.
I know I’m ranting a bit here but it’s something I feel very strongly about and I think we could go either way on this. 1 path leads to a better country and the other leads down the same path as britain.