Ireland’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Week is taking place from 20 – 29 September. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is hosting a free event on Saturday 19 October, ‘Bringing Back Homes – Creative and Sustainable Ways to Revitalise Old Buildings into a Home’ that will showcase four examples of vacant buildings that have been transformed into new homes. Revitalising vacant buildings contributes to several SDGs including: Decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), Industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), Sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), Responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) and Climate action (SDG 13). 

Exploring the potential of underutilised or vacant buildings helps address some of the challenges of the housing shortage and climate action. Architects and building professionals will present their transformative projects that have creatively re-developed vacant shops and offices into homes in Dún Laoghaire. Dr. Kathleen Stokes from Dublin City University will present findings from the 2024 research report ‘Opportunities and challenges of vacant above the shop units for residential use in Ireland’. Oliver Kinnane from UCD Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy, will moderate the discussion, questions and answers.   

Councillor Jim O’Leary, An Cathaoirleach, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said: “This event will provide inspiration and advice to those interested in bringing old buildings back to life as a home. Incentives such as the vacant and derelict property grants from the Croí Cónaithe scheme, encourage rejuvenation of old buildings which contributes to our Sustainable Development Goals and the circular economy.” 

Frank Curran, Chief Executive, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council commented: “Reuse and adaptation of buildings supports Ireland’s move towards a low-carbon society and regeneration of our towns. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown is a very desirable place to live and is already serviced with infrastructure, including shops, schools, health centres, community centres, sports grounds and parks. The adaptive reuse of vacant buildings has a critical role in creating sustainable communities.” 

Andrée Dargan, County Architect, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said: “Adaptive reuse of vacant or underutilised properties fits with the sustainability agenda, by reducing the amount of energy associated with demolition and the subsequent raw materials needed for the construction of an entirely new building. This conservation of resources and reduction in carbon emissions contribute to a more sustainable built environment.”   

This promises to be a popular event and it is part of the Open House Dublin architecture festival. Bookings open on 19 September on openhousedublin.com

Click here to book for this event. 

Ireland’s Sustainable Development Goals