A new 15-year plan aims to bring nature back to Dublin’s streets

Dublin's green strategy is a response to the Nature Restoration Regulation enacted by the European Union in 2024 which outlines a need to increase green spaces and tree canopy covers in urban areas

News Stephen Holland Local Democracy Reporter 11:59, 24 Jul 2026 View 3 Images Weaver Park in Cork Street, Liberties (Image: Dublin City Council)

A 15 year plan to green Dublin aims to address an urban landscape that is currently “well below what would be expected in any European city”.

City Parks Superintendent Leslie Moore spoke to Dublin City Councillors at the Community, Gaeilge, Sport, Arts & Culture SPC on Monday about an ambitious plan to turn the city’s grey urban landscape into a hotspot of trees , greenery, and biodiversity. He said that the Sustainable Residential Development guidelines recommend 20 to 25 square metres of green space per person and that most Dublin city areas fall well beyond that.

The facts that stand for themselves as Mr Moore highlighted a 2017 study which showed just 0.7msq in the Liberties, 1.89msq in the North East Inner City, and 1.6msq in Stoneybatter. With tree canopy coverage standing at around 10%, a major plan endeavours to improve air and water quality and increase biodiversity over the next decade and a half.

View 3 Images Dublin city green before and after (Image: Dublin City Council)

Greening a city has many benefits, with Mr Moore pointing to the impact it can have on mental health and well being. Previous greening initiatives have already addressed the Liberties, North East Inner City, and Stoneybatter and the council are now expanding to other parts of the city as part of their City Centre Public Realm Master Plan.

Focused not just on greening streets but also expanding pedestrian spaces and rebalancing traffic, Mr Moore pointed to several successful projects such as landscaping works at a former car parking area in Marrowbone Lane, trees replanted along Dorset Street, and Chatham Street greening as part of the Grafton Street Quarter public realm strategy .

It’s not always possible to plant native trees, Mr Moore explained, and, in response to climate change they have been trailing more exotic trees that can withstand “a lot warmer than it used to be”. He highlighted that the heat waves seen in recent weeks have shown a need to consider trees that can withstand long periods of drought and still maintain their greenery.

Overall, 1,840 urban trees have already been planted since 2018 across Dublin city and 3.6 hectares of hard surface has been de-paved. Mr Moore revealed that 1,200 cubic metres of soil has been brought back into Dublin and there are now four hectares of new parks and green spaces.

View 3 Images Dublin city greening results (Image: Dublin City Council)

The new 15 plan comes as a result of the Nature Restoration Regulation enacted by the European Union in 2024. This stipulates that there should be no loss of green space and that tree canopy cover must increase by 2030. The council are focusing on areas with the largest deficit and encourage community participation as well as engagement with environmental groups.

The draft plan is currently being compiled and is hoped to go before the full council early next year. Greening interventions were welcomed by councillors who highlighted the often underappreciated role that trees play in the lives of residents.

Social Democrats Cllr Noelle Brown said it’s important not only to plant new trees but to protect the ones that are already here. She highlights trees that in some instances are 100 years old being removed and causing significant upset around locals who had not been informed.

She pointed to instances in Drimagh where a contractor damaged trees during works and questioned the duty of care set out to workers to protect trees and biodiversity. Mr Moore said the protection of trees is part of planning permission stipulations.

Sinn Féin Cllr Mícheál Mac Donncha said the inequality between different areas needs to be addressed, as more prosperous neighbours generally have better tree canopy cover. But, he said the old method of planting a tree outside everyone's house can also cause problems with footpaths and that the important thing is that all plans are communicated well to residents.

Social Democrats Cllr Cat O’Driscoll agreed and she hopes this plan can address the “trees versus footpath dilemma we contend with”. As a 15 year plan, she welcomed the long-term thinking behind it and its sustainable approach while highlighting how trees can complement road safety and help slow down traffic.

Labour Cllr Fiona Connelly said it was only when she became a public representative that realised just how attached people are to the trees close to their home and it is important that they are treated with respect and not damaged during works. Mr Moore agreed “people live their trees” but added “in some places people hate trees outside their houses so you have to deal with both”.

This content is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme

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