Changing Urban Functions

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Changing Urban Functions

• Drogheda, Co. Louth

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Functions

• R
• I
• C
• E
• P
• O
• T
• S

• Res/ Rel/ Rec
• Industrial
• Commercial
• Educational
• Port
• Open spaces
• Transport/ tourism
• Service

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Examples of Urban Functions visible on maps/
photos

• Recreational pools, parks, golf courses,
  marinas.
• Commercial shopping centres, shop fronts, market
  squares.

• Ports cranes, containers, large ships, marinas.
• Services hospitals, garda stations, government
  offices.
• Open spaces car parks, playing fields, river/
  mountain walks.

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Droghedas Functions

• Multifunctional
• Transport
• Residential
• Industrial
• Retail
• Port
• Religious
• Educational

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History

• In the past Drogheda had an important defence
  function.
• Port was the most important function in the past.
• It was the basis of Droghedas industrial
  function.
• Industries included ironworks, shipbuilding,
  shoe-makers, oil and cake mills, textiles.

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History

• World famous textile industry.
• Yarn and linen mills.
• Raw cotton imported, then spun and bleached in
  Drogheda.
• Mills had closed by the early 20th century.
• However world famous Greenhills towel and sheet
  factory remained opened.

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Brannigans Weavers
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1970s and 1980s

• Decline in industry
• Industries had become uncompetitive on the world
  market.
• High unemployment
• Derelict, rundown factories, were a blight on the
  landscape.
• Some were demolished and sites used as carparks.

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1990s onwards

• Celtic Tiger
• National investment policies
• EU grants
• Development of transport infrastructure (trains,
  roads, bypasses,Boyne river bridge)
• Commuter town

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Boyne River Bridge
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1990s

• Large industry Becton Dickinson (medical
  syringes)
• Many industries Flogas, Natures Best, Boyne
  Valley Foods.
• Derelict industrial sites redeveloped into
  apartments, hotels, conference centre and two new
  shopping centres.

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Tourism

• Tourism function is important to the area.
• Good transport links and accommodation.
• Many attractions
• Newgrange
• The Battle of the Boyne site
• Monasterboice High Crosses and Tower

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Changing Functions

• Defence is a past function.
• Importance of the port function has declined.

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Exam Question

• Explain how the functions and services of urban
  centres can change over time. (30 marks)