A Better Quality of Life for All - Urban Forum Manifesto
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Fastest Growing Population
The population of the Republic of Ireland now stands at over 4.2 million – its highest level for well over a century. The country also has the fastest growing population in Europe, rising at a rate of 2.5% per annum, and it is estimated that our population is likely to increase to over 5 million by 2020 with anywhere between 70,000 to 100,000 immigrants arriving every year.
Increased Suburbanisation
Not surprisingly, there has been a boom in housing output to meet this burgeoning population as well as major changes in our social and family life. Almost half of all dwellings in Ireland have been planned and delivered by the private sector since 1990.
This population growth is accelerating the urbanisation of the country. However, this phenomenon is more complex than it might otherwise seem –our town and city centre populations are declining as our suburbs continue to sprawl and grow. Cork and Limerick cities declined by 3.2% and 2.7% respectively, while their county areas grew by 11.4% and 8.3% respectively. To highlight this problem even more starkly, Dublin will soon occupy the same surface area as Los Angeles, but with less than a quarter of its population.