Myrtle Square and Convent Lane Greening
Delivering integrated sustainable drainage design to support the development of Myrtle Square and Convent Lane, a green pedestrian space in the heart of Dún Laoghaire town.
Throughout this project, our teams worked alongside a range of partners including utilities providers and fellow consultants. Our role as drainage consultant, saw us provide expertise to support the objective of creating a vibrant public space which would enhance resilience to climate change.
- Client Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
- Location Dún Laoghaire, Dublin
- Partners Donnachadh O’Brien & Associates Consulting Engineers, Fallon Design M&E Engineering, Levins Associates, Scott & MacNeill, O’Herlihy Access Consultancy, Cumnor, ESB, Uisce Éireann, Gas Networks Ireland, Eir, Virgin Media
A bespoke green infrastructure drainage design solution, delivered with climate change allowances for long-term resilience
To become a low-carbon, climate-resilient, and sustainable town, a new public square in the heart of Dún Laoghaire presented an opportunity to demonstrate how resilience could be embedded into urban development.
Through our role as drainage consultants, we were appointed to create a full and integrated drainage design solution, which would include Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) measures. This role would also see our team conduct detailed utility, topographic and site investigation surveys, produce engineering design drawings, specifications and schedules and oversee the construction of the SuDS.
To deliver long-term resilience our designs included climate change allowances following client policies. We incorporated tree pits, a nature-based solution, into the proposed drainage system, providing multiple benefits to the project.
As well as capturing surface water runoff and reducing pressures on the existing sub-surface drainage network, the use of a system of tree pits also suited the urbanised environment. With Convent Lane continuing to be used for business deliveries, it was essential that the proposed solution made allowances for vehicular loading and was easy to maintain.
The Myrtle Square development will include the installation of a landmark canopy structure, which will act as a frame for climbing plants and also have integrated bird and bat boxes.
A vibrant public space, providing environmental enhancement
The introduction of trees, green canopies, and soft landscapes will not only help to create a vibrant public space it will also hugely benefit the environment. The newly planted trees will play a crucial role in attenuating rainfall, intercepting surface run-off and reducing the urban heat island effect. Furthermore, they will also create new habitats for the town's wildlife.
