Critical centre

The aim of my thesis was to examine the form of the city, with particular focus on the economic and social causes that have influenced the suburbanization of many of our cities. Living in Limerick for the past number of years, I was excited to attempt to find a solution to the suburban sprawl that has effected Irish cities. Through the process of research and writing I began to look at the form of Georgian Limerick, and how its form may have contributed to the suburbanization of Limerick. During this process I began to question the value of the existing model of the city that we have at present, particularly in terms of structure, organization and zoning. It is clear that the current economic form of the city has failed as a sustainable model, which is evidenced in the large areas of Limerick City that are unused, particularly the upper levels of the Georgian blocks. A new model for the city therefore should be economically viable as well as addressing the issues of structure, form and zoning. Through various studies I began to examine alternatives to the existing city form. There were certain aspects in particular that I began to analyse and question, including the relationship between street and facade, the potential for a more stratified occupation of the city, and the ability of the city to accommodate a different type of function.