Suburban Planning

TadhgSk

I have become interested in the area of planning in the last few years and I have learned how suburban living in Ireland is unattractive from the point of planing an architecture.

One problem I see is how in the country as much houses as possible are squashed together such as semi detached houses. I also believe identical houses in an area look awful. Why havn't councils selled plots off for the owner to build a house as they want it build with a decent sized garden?

I have come across many people how do not like the idea of suburban living because of small cramped houses.

I also don't like how there isn't a common architecture for houses and how different styles mixed together look unatractive and incongruous.

Another flaw I believe is how many high walls are built to entrances and sides of houses are built instead of hedges and trees planted to give a more natural look.

I have no architectural or planning experience but believe these are problems affecting Ireland's urban landscape.

schween

Far from Irish houses being small and cramped, I think compared to some other countries Irish suburban residences are large.

I also disagree that our houses are squashed together. I think our housing estates in general are quite spacious. And bigger gardens are not what we need.

The Irish and in particular families need to embrace apartment living more.
The fact that housing estates are so numerous, so spread out and use so much space is what has made Irish planning a disaster!

SC024

TadhgSk wrote: »

I have become interested in the area of planning in the last few years and I have learned how suburban living in Ireland is unattractive from the point of planing an architecture.

One problem I see is how in the country as much houses as possible are squashed together such as semi detached houses. I also believe identical houses in an area look awful. Why havn't councils selled plots off for the owner to build a house as they want it build with a decent sized garden?

I have come across many people how do not like the idea of suburban living because of small cramped houses.

I also don't like how there isn't a common architecture for houses and how different styles mixed together look unatractive and incongruous.

Another flaw I believe is how many high walls are built to entrances and sides of houses are built instead of hedges and trees planted to give a more natural look.

I have no architectural or planning experience but believe these are problems affecting Ireland's urban landscape.

Are these 2 statements not contradictory?

rayfitzharris

I thought so too at first,
but I guess SCO24, he means "not identical" != "different styles"

where "different styles" are more different than "not identical".

Personally I think the concept of sticking to a style is complete rubbish and begs the question of who (or what era) defines the style. Unless of course you believe that the first person to build in an area has the best eye for the aesthetic. God forbid it be an 70s or 80s bungalow from a book fan!

But some people like banality where as other like the spice. Each to their own, it should be.

Danno

One off housing has ruined vast swathes of our countryside... repetitive estates have ruined vast tracts of our towns and villages.

If we could flatten all the estates and move the houses in from the countryside we would have a fine country indeed.

Slig

Unfortunately its a cultural thing in rural Ireland. We all want to live in isolated houses in the country expect all the conveniences of urban life (broadband, reliable electricity and water supply, mobile phone signal, etc.) and then complain that there is no infrastructure.
I agree that one off rural housing is ruining our countryside, especially as it is usually tasteless, boring or inappropriate designs. Unfortunately until we get a consistent planning system that is not influenced by political (Local Councillor) imput I cant see anything happening.