Design and Cities symposium to celebrate award of RIAI Hon Membership to Pasqual Maragall
Congratulations to the RIAI for putting together a very interesting seminar with stimulating speakers, and a stellar performance from Colm Toibin, in his tribute to Barcelona and Pascal Maragall in his Ode to the City. A writer and orator of Colm Toibin’s talent provided an eloquence and passion to the topic of urbanism I haven’t come across since reading Jane Jacobs.
However, this seminar certainly didn’t go to plan. The Dublin City Council executives turned up to bask in Barcelona’s reflected glory, and instead got a right pasting.
Its incredible how paradigms change. 10 years ago, such an assembly of Ireland’s senior architects –would have been dominated by talk of critical mass, iconic architecture, building height studies, the parts of the city that could accommodate towers, contemporary architecture and zeitgeist. Through all presentations, the word ‘architecture’ was mentioned once. We heard no talk of buildings, but of politics, citizenship, trust in people (not architects). Was this the twilight zone?
David Mackay (MBM Arquitectes) told a story of a bus trip through urban Barcelona, and the children who lived in the city. Fine, but for someone who built his reputation on Barcelona, he certainly wasn’t letting any secrets out of the bag. Or has he forgotten how it was all accomplished? He talked about the need to bring identity to the suburbs. Streets that bring you to, and through places... and the importance of politics. He didn’t talk about his architecture, a design or a plan. The man talks good urbanism, but he is also responsible for designing of one of Dublin’s worst buildings, which I consider an insult to the city, right beside Dublin Castle and City Hall. It was interesting how little he had to say.
Andrew Montague, Lord Mayor of Dublin (Labour Councillor) was a revelation. An intelligent & articulate local politician and proud Dubliner. He is the person behind Dublin’s Bike scheme, and with huge success after 2 years, and only 2 bikes damaged (and returned) in that whole time, It was great to hear a hint of vindication in his assertion that Dubliners can be trusted. He made me think how Scousers will bore you to death with their love of Liverpool, something missing with the Dubs.
He set in train a big argument that we need a Mayor for the Dublin Region. He has 1 year compared to the 15 Pasqual Maragall had to work with in Barcelona. He said he has no mandate for change or vision. The Council is therefore very localised. He highlighted we need a thriving city centre. Local Authorities on edge of the city pursuing rates and sucking the lifeblood out of the city (ie. Dundrum) What counts are Small initiatives – trusting people. Urban Markets – like those in the heart of Barcelona are lacking (like English Market, Cork). And quote of the afternoon; “If I wasn’t wearing this chain, nobody would recognise me”.
Manuel Diez Garrido highlighted his experience of as a Spaniard who had lived and in Barcelona, and now as an adopted Dubliner. He talked about the “pulse” of the city. A theme well embellished by 5pm. Barcelona has a tangible and instant pulse and Dublin does not. This is because of the poor quality of the urban area. But in Dublin, the pulse seeps through by the character of the city and its people.
H e was critical of Development Plan process – statements and intentions that don’t mean anything. The Council worked to serve departments rather than projects. Politicians were protecting people from their own council. The need to make the city attractive, and get people & families living there was paramount. He wondered what Dublin City did with budget of €800m clearly to the City Managers (later) bristling resentment.
Ali Grehan, Dublin City Architect is her own person and architect; a refreshing change from her predecessor. She has taken on the challenge of making Dublin a World design capital, with a challenge to translate our incredible cultural heritage and talent into physical pride. She talked about design translated to the making of beautiful things, and crafts being part of that. This is a revolution for the city! She highlighted the new Irish have made the city and the old Irish have fossilised view of the city is. She supported the straight talking Spaniard.
Dick Gleeson, City Planner said that Instead of complaining about the rain we should be designing for it. He highlighted that Barcelona has 16,000 people per sq.km.; a different world from Dublin. He spoke about Collaborative urbanism and faith in people. A serious paradigm shift, but lets take him on his word and embrace the positive message.
Colm Toibin left everyone open mouthed in admiration, and RIAI president Paul Keogh summed it up with “wow”. He told a tale in Catalan initially how the major’s poet grandfather had handed down an “Ode to the city” to the future major. It was about how post-fascist Barcelona had through open arms, embrace modernity. Through political skill and ingenuity, the Secular, Modern & articulate had risen, and Cataluyna had pride in its capital city. This was a central part of Catalan heritage. Pascal Maragall was Planner + Politician, Visionary + Pragmatist. Tobin cited that “How we live in the city is how we live”. Patriotism is open, not about blood or country, but supported equality. Tobin brought out the impact of the personality of Maragall, the moustache and the gravely voice. The clarity. “You hate the sea” he told the city; and they did something about it. They facilitated the idea of shared space.
Tobin squarely placed our urban failures on Fianna Fail’s shoulders, with little faith that this government would be different. For change to happen, he said the City must be socialist;- Politics first based on Citizenship. Socialist is not a word used often in Ireland.
Pasqual Maragall smiled and enjoyed the occasion, said little other than such transformative years can kill you, and probably would have done if not for his wife.
Looking around the audience I wondered are there any architects under 40 left? Most were over 50. Is this where the new thinking is to come from?
