Pressures on the Environment from Urban Living

The results of the 2016 census show that almost 2/3 of the Irish populations now live in urban areas. Since the economy began to grow in Ireland during the 1990s, there has been a sustained movement of populations from rural to urban areas. Cities and towns began to sprawl as a result of development in infrastructure, housing and industry, with growth rates exceeding those of our EU neighbours.

Areas Converted to Residential Use

Areas Converted to Residential Use, Dublin Area, MOLAND 2000–2006

Courtesy EPA

Areas Converted to Residential Use
Courtesy EPA

Areas Converted to Residential Use

Areas Converted to Residential Use, Dublin Area, MOLAND 2000–2006

Courtesy EPA

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For example, according to Census 2016, the fastest growing town in Ireland was the Louth town of Drogheda. Its population grew 6% to almost 41,000 since the previous census in 2011.

The type of urban development that consists of dispersed development of urban areas in low to medium density development (urban sprawl) is seen as particularly negative for the environment. Because it is difficult to serve such development with public transport, problems are created in areas such as: air and water pollution, waste management, loss of rural landscape and excessive use of fossil fuels. It can also result in damage to surrounding ecosystems and loss of biodiversity. The dramatic increase in road construction in Ireland, for example, has the effect of breaking up habitats. Wildlife, such as foxes and badgers, is now a common sight in Dublin, Cork, Belfast and many smaller towns in Ireland.

Traffic in Dublin

Dublin's daily rush hour.

Copyright Environmental Protection Agency

Traffic in Dublin
Copyright Environmental Protection Agency

Traffic in Dublin

Dublin's daily rush hour.

Copyright Environmental Protection Agency

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In addition, the concentration of vehicles and households in urban areas increases air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Ireland subsequently has the third highest per capita levels of greenhouse emissions within the EU behind Luxembourg and Estonia (Eurostat, 2020). Industries also release chemical pollutants into the atmosphere. These pollutants are washed away by rainwater into rivers and can damage water quality as well as marine ecosystems.

One of the most prominent problems of urbanisation around the world is the ‘urban heat-island’ effect as cities tend to generate higher temperatures than rural areas. It can cause urban areas to be 10 degrees Celcius warmer than rural areas in extreme cases. Heat gets trapped between high-rise buildings, while roads and other artificial surfaces also trap heat. This ‘urban heat-island’ effect has severe environmental impacts, especially on air quality, and is a major contributor to climate change.

A consistent reduction in pollution is needed in order to secure a sustainable future. The EPA report  'Ireland's Environment 2020: An Integrated Assessment' has information on urban issues and the requirements for sustainable living.