Duncan Stewart investigates the relentless demise of Irish towns and asks what is being done now to reverse their decline.
Central to how towns survive and thrive is the system of exchange between town centres and the surrounding lands. Up to the 20th century, town centres were bustling with life; families lived above the shops that lined the main-street, food and goods were exchanged in the market square. Those who lived out of town worked the land and provided livestock, food and goods for the town markets.
But over the last 50 years, the townscape and this system of exchange has completely changed. The market evolved into out-of-town shopping centres and online shopping. Over time as more shops on the main-street closed down, so too did essential services like post offices and banks. Town centres hollowed out as those who lived in the centre relocated to the suburbs. Today, towns all across Ireland no longer function as primary economic or residential hubs. They are rapidly declining into abandoned ruins that were once vibrant and critical social centres for communities.
What would it take to bring our towns back to thriving compact communities, suitable for all demographics once again? A new Urban Regeneration Fund and a town centre first policy sets to reverse the decline of Irish Towns and Sligo town is earmarked for the largest investment of new funding. Will this help to turn Sligo town around?
30 июл 2024
