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Scarey Shadowland Ideas For Ghost Estates...

Architects offer ideas for country's 'ghost estates'...


IT IS a future where empty housing estates are used as crematoriums and there is a scrappage scheme for ugly one-off country homes.

As the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) prepares to begin operations in the new year, a group of architects have put forward suggestions for what can be done with the unfinished constructions and 'ghost estates', legacies of the economic downturn.

From an unfinished hotel which has been handed over to the community, to a 'two-for-one' scheme for unsold houses, the 'Shadowland' exhibition which opened in Dublin yesterday floats some realistic and some more improbable ideas.

Among the suggestions are a 'City of Dead', where abandoned or unsold houses are used as crematoriums and chapels.

FKL architects, which organised the exhibitions, have also suggested a scrappage scheme for houses. One-off homes would be knocked down and the residents rehoused in towns, while trees are planted on the old site.

The same company has suggested using empty estates as schools, and a scheme where buyers can get two homes for the price of one, using the extra space for family space.

"The leftovers of the boom-time take the form of half-finished projects, 'ghost' housing estates and land zoned for development in inappropriate locations nationwide," said organiser Michelle Fagan of FKL.

"Under NAMA, the same people who created the issues in the property sector will be charged with resolving them.

"Decisions must be made regarding the future of these sites and this process must involve taking into account the impact on communities, as well as financial and economic outcomes."

Visitors to the exhibition have been asked to contribute their ideas via post-it notes on the exhibits.

A full report will be completed at the end of the exhibition, held at Dublin City Council civic offices.



Report by Shane Hickey - Irish Independent

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