Santry River Restoration and Greenway Project

1. General information

Location and description of the intervention

City or FUA

Dublin (FUA)

Region

Europe

Short description of the intervention

A new landscape plan for the Santry River, developed since 2019, envisions it as “the backbone of a green infrastructure project,” designed to support nature, pedestrians, and cyclists. The project will create a continuous route from the Dublin Bay Biosphere at St Anne’s Park to the wider hinterlands of Dublin at Sillogue.
The plan proposes transforming the Santry River into an “integrated green-blue landscape for ecology and recreation,” incorporating a variety of sports, cultural, and leisure activities. Through an agreement with Fingal County Council and the National Transport Authority, Dublin City Council has commissioned studies to address the existing flood risks along the river.
The council’s goals for the Santry River include river restoration, flood mitigation, greenway development, and environmental protection, extending from the river’s origin in Harristown within Fingal County to its outlet at James Larkin Road. The project framework will span four years, with annual reviews and budget assessments.
The project team has engaged the public in early autumn of 2022 to gather input on these plans, as the Santry River project aims to create a vibrant River Park that integrates natural and recreational elements. Running through North Dublin, this new green-blue infrastructure will serve both ecological and community needs, offering opportunities for sports, culture, and relaxation. Ultimately, it will form a natural corridor linking the Dublin Bay Biosphere at St Anne’s Park with Sillogue, promoting biodiversity while enhancing accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists (2).

Website of the intervention

https://www.dublincity.ie/residential/environment/protection-water-bodies/green…

Principal problems

Climate-Related Hazards

River flooding

Urban flooding (stormwater)

Health, Well-being and Social cohesion

Inadequate access to recreational opportunities

Implementation area characterization

Climate

Temperate ( Humid subtropical, Hot-summer Mediterranean, Warm-summer Mediterranean, Warm-temperate with dry winter)

Ecosystem

Rivers/streams

Address

60 Lein Gardens, Harmonstown
Dublin
D05 XD37
Ireland

Location

The NBS is situated in an area, with clear delineation of boundaries and a specific shape (polygon). The NBS project can also have more than one area location (more than one polygon, situated close by).

Area boundary (map-based)

NBS area image

Source of NBS area image

Source: https://dublingazette.com/dublinlocalmatters/news/river-restoration-greenway-56423/

Area description

Freshwater landscape (e.g. river, lake)

Type of area before implementation of the NBS

Freshwater setting (e.g. river, channel, lake, pond)

Timeline of intervention

Start date of the intervention (planning process)

2019

Start date of intervention (implementation process)

2026

End date of the intervention

2029

Present stage of the intervention

In planning stage

2. Objectives of the intervention

Objectives of the intervention

Goals of the intervention

To implement a comprehensive river restoration, flood alleviation, greenway, and environmental protection project to enhance the Santry River in Dublin.
To address the high levels of existing flood risks in Dublin.
To establish the Santry River as the backbone of a new green infrastructure project, supporting nature, pedestrians, and cyclists and creating a route from the Dublin Bay Biosphere at St Anne’s Park to the hinterlands at Sillogue.
To engage the local community in governance processes through public stakeholder engagement events, promoted via community groups, area offices, and this website.
To provide facilities for sports, cultural, and recreational activities.
To improve water quality, protect habitats, promote biodiversity (1-6)

Key Priorities

Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation)

Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration)

Sustainability challenge(s) addressed

Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)

Climate change adaptation

Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)

Green space creation and/or management

Habitat and biodiversity conservation

Water management (SDG 6)

Flood protection

Improvements to water quality

Health and well-being (SDG 3)

Creation of opportunities for recreation

Enabling opportunities for physical activity

Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)

Inclusive governance

Disaster-risk reduction

Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?

Restore rivers and other fresh water bodies to reduce flood or drought risk

Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?

Ecosystem-focused

Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?

Protect and enhance urban habitats

Preserve and strengthen existing habitats and ecosystems

Preserve and strengthen habitat connectivity

Protect species

Undertake specific measures to protect species

Means for conservation governance

Create and use scientific knowledge for conservation

Implementation activities and NBS focus

Implementation activities

The project was initially in the information gathering and validation stage, which continued into 2023. This stage involves collecting and validating data to understand existing conditions, such as flood risks. By Autumn 2023, options were developed, and a Master Plan created outlining the preferred approach for managing these flood risks and integrating green-blue infrastructure (including retaining existing habitats of known species, develop riparian zones, re-design green areas within the riverpark for nature and amenity, develop a planting and maintenance program (tree survey and planting
programme)). Stakeholder consultation occured to gather input on the developed options, ensuring that the plan addresses community needs and concerns. Preliminary design work was anticipated to begin in Autumn 2023, followed by the planning process in Summer 2024 to obtain the necessary planning consent. After securing planning approval, detailed design work will commence, leading up to phased construction. Construction is expected to start in 2026 and will proceed in phases according to the detailed design. Public stakeholder engagement events will be organized throughout the project's duration to keep the community informed and involved. These activities collectively address existing flood risks and aim to enhance ecological and recreational aspects of the area, with the project anticipated to be completed by 2029 (1, 3).

Type of NBS project

Creation of new green areas

Creation of green corridors (including connectivity between urban and rural ecosystems)

Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas

River rehabilitation/ restoration

Protection of riparian vegetation

Restoration of riparian vegetation

Strategy, plan or policy development

Creation of city-wide or neighborhood green and blue infrastrcuture protection or enhancement strategies/plans

Improved governance of green or blue areas

Establishment of inclusive governance mechanisms involving local communities

Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity

Habitat mapping, restoration and monitoring-focused management

3. NBS domains, ES and scale

NBS domain and interventions

Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented

Blue infrastructure

Rivers/streams/canals/estuaries

Amenities offered by the NBS

Unknown

Design elements for well-being

Visual elements (e.g., expansive views, scenic views, natural light, diverse vegetation)

Auditory elements (e.g., birdsong, water features, quiet areas, rustling leaves)

Olfactory elements (e.g., floral scents, earthy smells)

Services

Expected ecosystem services delivered

Regulating services

Flood regulation

Habitat and supporting services

Habitats for species

Cultural services

Recreation

Mental and physical health and wellbeing

Scale

Spatial scale

Meso-scale: Regional, metropolitan and urban level

Beneficiaries

Demographics in implementation area

Dublin has the highest level of disposable income in Ireland at €27,686, 18% above the national average, which continues the divergence witnessed over the last three years. The Dublin region has seen the biggest decrease in unemployment in the last year with 4,700 people being employed who were previously unemployed (7).

Socio-economic profile of the area

Mixed income

Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts

Yes

Specification of climate or environmentally vulnerable communities

Communities located in floodplains

Non-government actors

Citizens or community groups

Primary Beneficiaries

Citizens or community groups

Specify primary beneficiaries

The primary beneficiaries of the Santry River project are the local community, including stakeholders within the Santry River area, pedestrians, and cyclists. The project emphasizes the importance of community involvement, stating that "the input and insights of you, the local community and stakeholders within the Santry River area" are essential to its development and success (2).

Marginalized groups

Unknown

Other beneficiaries

Local wildlife (e.g., birds, pollinators)

Endangered species (flora and fauna)

Natural habitats (e.g. wetland, forests, coastal areas)

City infrastructure (e.g., reduced flooding, improved water quality)

4. Governance and financing

Governance

Governance arrangements

Co-governance with government and non-government actors

Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative

Dublin City Council is leading the project on behalf of Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council and the Nation Transport Authority (2). Additionally, the project team planned to reach out to the local community and stakeholders to gather their thoughts and keep them informed about upcoming activities. This engagement includes opportunities for site visits and collecting ideas via a portal, ensuring that the input from the local community is integrated into the project's development. Dublin City Council confirmed that a multi-disciplinary design team had been appointed for the project and said contract documents had been signed (2,6).

Key actors - initiating organization

Local government/municipality

Public sector institution

Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)

Citizens or community group

Stages of citizen and community engagement

Planning and design (e.g. site selection, identification of key priorities)

Development of project proposal

Feedback during project implementation (e.g. review sessions)

Level of citizen and community engagement

Moderate

Community empowerment or capacity-building initiatives

Implementation of educational programs, workshops or trainings

Creation of collaborative decision-making processes that actively involve community members

Participatory methods/forms of stakeholder involvement (all stakeholders)

Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)

Taskforce groups

Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)

Uncommon actors ("Missing actors")

Unknown

Land owners

Public space owned by the city

Policy drivers

NBS intervention implemented in response to a Regional Directive/Strategy

Yes

Please specify the "Regional Directive/Strategy"

EC Directive on the Assessment and Management of Flood Risks 2007, EU Floods, Water Framework, Birds and Habitats Directives (2)

NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan

Yes

Please specify the national regulations/strategy/plan

SI 122 of 2010 EC Regulations 2010 and S2 495/2015 (2)

If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme/type of the plan

National Disaster Risk Reduction Plans

NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan

Unknown

Mandatory or voluntary intervention

Mandatory (based on policy)

Intervention is mandatory

Environmental regulation

Enablers & Barriers

Type of enablers

Unknown

Governace and decison-making instruments

Legislative and regulatory instruments (e.g. laws, strategies, regulations or restrictions)

Strategic instruments (e.g. GI strategies, green space strategy or plans)

Standards, certifications or guidelines (e.g. standards for accessible green space; biodiversity standards)

Arrangements for governance cooperation

Formal coordination mechanisms to oversee project implementation and decision-making (e.g., multi-stakeholder steering committees, working groups)

Task forces or commissions (e.g. group of multi-disciplinary experts)

Barriers

Unknown

Financing

Total cost

Unknown

Please specify total cost (EUR)

Unknown

Source(s) of funding

Public local authority budget

Type of fund(s) used

Earmarked public budget

Non-financial contribution

Unknown

Co-finance for NBS

Entrepreneurship opportunities

Unknown

Business models

Risk reduction model

Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?

Public actor (e.g. municipality)

5. Evaluation and learning

Impacts, benefits

Environmental impacts

Climate change

Storm / wave induced erosion and flooding

Expected storm / wave induced erosion and flooding

Water management and blue areas

Improved water quality

Expected improved water quality

Increased protection against flooding

Expected increased protection against flooding

Enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems

Expected enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems

Description of environmental benefits

-Expected storm / wave induced erosion and flooding: "to provide flood protection up to 1% AEP in the areas of Santry Lake" (Ref. 3)
-Expected improved water quality: "The “high-quality” scheme will be delivered in parallel with the Santry River Restoration Project, aimed at improving water quality, protecting habitats, promoting biodiversity and reducing flood risk." (Ref. 6)
-Increased protection against flooding: "Based on the above legislation, DCC seeks to implement a river restoration, flood alleviation, greenway and environmental protection project to improve the River Santry in Dublin." (Ref. 2)
-Enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems: "Based on the above legislation, DCC seeks to implement a river restoration, flood alleviation, greenway and environmental protection project to improve the River Santry in Dublin." (Ref. 2)

Economic impacts

More sustainable tourism

Expected more sustainable tourism

Description of economic benefits

-More sustainable tourism: "This greenway will really improve active travel options in the local area, which not only supports our climate imperatives, but also provides an attractive enhancement to a route that is already used by many." (Ref. 6)

Evidence for use of assessment

Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process

Unknown

Presence of indicators used in reporting

No evidence in public records

Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports

No evidence in public records

Availability of a web-based monitoring tool

No evidence in public records

Name of any specific impact assessment tools

Unknown

Use of GIS in mapping impacts

No evidence in public records

Cost-benefit analysis

Unknown

Transparency

Meetings with stakeholders’ representatives

Inclusion of diverse stakeholders in project governance processes (e.g. planning, implementation, monitoring, etc.)

Community forums for information sharing and encouraging the participation of marginalized groups

Clear communication channels for stakeholders to provide feedback, raise concerns, and ask questions about the project

Justice

Community satisfaction

Unknown

Trade-offs & Negative impacts

Unknown

Measures to prevent gentrification or displacement

No initiatives or policies were implemented

High-quality & Transformative NBS

Multiple impacts delivery (climate, biodiversity, just community)

Goal setting and impacts delivery

In the planning phase, the project aimed to address issues in all 3 key priority areas, but impacts were not delivered in all three key areas.

Reaching original project goals

Inconclusive as the project is still undergoing implementation, or is still on its planning stages

Long-term perspective

Yes

Cost-effective solutions

Unknown

Equitable impacts

A. All stakeholders benefit fairly from the project

Transformative capacity

Social change (e.g. social relationships, networks and dynamics within them)

Ecological change (e.g. ecosystem functions and their distribution)

Magnitude of change

Unknown

Application of lessons learned

Unknown

Perception of Environmental Change

Unknown

6. Sources

References

Dublin City Council (n.d.). Santry River Restoration and Greenway Project. Dublin: Dublin City Council, Accessed on September 16, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Dublin City Council (n.d.). Project Background. Dublin City Council, Accessed on September 16, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Dublin City Council (n.d.). SANTRY RIVER RESTORATION & GREENWAY MASTERPLAN. Dublin City Council, Accessed on September 16, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Cunningham, R. (2022). River Restoration & Greenway Project. Dublin Gazette, Accessed on September 16, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Ginty, C. (2022). Santry River Restoration and Greenway Project consultation to be held next week. IrishCycle, Accessed on September 16, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

McCullagh, T. (2022). Work to begin on new 6km greenway linking Santry with Bull Island. Irish Independent, Accessed on September 16, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Dublin Chamber of Commerce (n.d.). Economic Profile of Dublin. Dublin Chamber of Commerce, Accessed on September 16, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Comments and notes

Public Images

A shared vision for the Santry River

Ref. 2

Santry River Restoration and Greenway Project

Ref. 1

Santry River Restoration and Greenway Project

Ref. 1