Dear Editor,
Recent reports from the Housing Commission suggest the demand to construct no less than 256,000 “dwellings” (News, May 21st), yet no one is advocating the vital necessity of creating neighbourhoods or communities.
In this evolving global society, it’s not sufficient to merely have a house; we require a supporting network with others. Residential areas lacking basic infrastructure like public transport, healthcare centres, nurseries, academic institutions, worship hubs, sport areas, leisure facilities, assisted living services, stores and so forth will inevitably fail to grow into communities.
There will incessantly be an individual prepared to manipulate susceptible youngsters or capitalise on those detached from their loved ones. If we lack the capability to unify individuals within a communal setting, disorderliness and misconduct are an unfortunate consequence.
Our focus should be on creating neighbourhoods, not solely residential estates.
With kind regards,
Barbara Kelly,
Greystones,
County Wicklow.