Unfinished Housing Developments in the Republic of Ireland

Abstract

In 2010 Unfinished Housing Developments were visible in every county in the Republic of Ireland. This paper will outline two of the main factors that contributed to the rapid appearance of these developments, namely the planning and financial systems in place before 2008. Overall the paper will argue that in addition to the economic crisis that Ireland experienced in 2008 there were other significant influences which contributed to the emergence of high numbers of Unfinished Housing Developments. Unfinished Housing Developments are a very visible presence in Ireland at present and their effect has spread into many elements of social and cultural life. Together with the Ghost Estates, (Partially Occupied or Unoccupied Housing Estates) Unfinished Housing Developments symbolise the dynamics of the Irish property market in the years leading up to the financial crisis of 2008 and represent a significant problem for policy makers going forward as well as a notable example for arguing in favour of reforming both the planning system and the system of housing provision.

Keywords: Unfinished Housing Developments, Ghost Estates, Housing, Planning, Ireland