DLR Covid Mobility
DLR Covid-19 Mobility Review: Roadspace Reallocation & Public Realm Improvements
Project Overview
DLR Covid-19 Mobility Review (‘Covid Mobility’ for short) is a multi-year and multi-phase research study by TU Dublin’s The Sustainable Transport & Mobility Research Group and the School of Architecture, Building and Environment, supported and funded by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLR).
The study involves the socio-economic and mobility evaluation and review of DLR’s Covid-19 related investment in temporary urban infrastructure works in Blackrock Village, Dundrum Village/Town Centre, and in Dún Laoghaire. These works were originally brought in by the Local Authority to help address some of the mobility and economic challenges associated with the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Research
The overall objectives of the TU Dublin's Covid Mobility research are to:
- Explore the short-medium term mobility and socio-economic impacts of DLR’s 'Covid Mobility and Public Realm Work's using an explorative methodology suited to a Local Authority context;
- Contribute to a developing knowledge base on the impacts of urban cycleways within Ireland; and
- Explore the role and longer-term potential of temporary public realm and active travel (walking and cycling) interventions.
A mixed methods and explorative approach is employed in this research with a focus on a People-Place-Movement (PPM) triangulation methodology. These three elements are key to best practice in urban design, urban planning and transport planning and their integration. The PPM approach has been tested and developed by the research team to evaluate and improve public spaces, streets, and mobility systems. It focuses on the interaction between three key dimensions:
- People – Understanding the needs, behaviours, and experiences of individuals, businesses and communities using the space.
- Place – Assessing the quality, health and space allocation of the physical environment, sense of identity of the location.
- Movement – Examining how people and vehicles (public and private transport) move through and around the space, and associated impacts.
This research informs policy, supports industry innovation, and contributes to global sustainability goals, including the UN SDGs (particularly goal no. 11 Sustainable Cities & Communities). Key impacts include:
1. Addressing Knowledge Gap: There is a significant research gap in Ireland in the area of the socio-economic and mobility impacts of (temporary and permanent) road-space and public realm (re)allocation. This study helps addresses this knowledge gap. The medium-term nature of the research (over 5 years) also makes the outputs of particular significance, as such medium-term research is highly limited.
2. Societal & Policy Development Impact: The research outputs and associated recommendations have contributed to the design and funding of:
- a major high-quality permanent road-space reallocation and public realm regeneration scheme in Blackrock Village via ‘Living Streets Blackrock’;
- in Dun Laoghaire via Living Streets Coastal Mobility Route;
and more recently in Dundrum via the establishment of a Town Regeneration Team to support the regeneration of the Dundrum Village/Town Centre.
The research has also featured/referenced in draft national Government Policy and studies including:
- ‘Moving Together: A Strategic Approach to the Improved Efficiency of the Transport System in Ireland’ (2024, p. 141) and associated background studies;
- in the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government & Heritage’s report on urban regeneration (2022) Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage – Urban Regeneration (oireachtas.ie)
- Department of Transport, Transport Research Insights paper pdf (2025)
- national and local media (see further below for examples).
Publications & Outputs
Phase 3 DLR Covid-19 Mobility Review: 2024, 2025 - Blackrock
- ‘Blackrock Main Street 4-Year Covid Mobility Follow-On’ medium term economic development and business feedback follow-on study on the impact of the Covid Mobility works in Blackrock Main Street, and surrounding streets.
Phase 2 DLR Covid-19 Mobility Review: 2022, 2022 – Coastal Mobility Route & Dundrum
- Phase 2-a CMR Economic Development & Community Business Feedback (February 2023) explores feedback from the business community along the Coastal Mobility Route.
- Phase 2-b DLR Covid-19 Mobility Review - Dundrum Village explores the socio-economic and mobility impacts of the Covid Mobility works in Dundrum Village/Main Street.
Phase 1 DLR Covid-19 Mobility Review: 2020, 2021, 2022 – Coastal Mobility Route & Blackrock
- Phase 1 DLR Covid-19 Mobility Review (June 2021) explores the short-term social-economic mobility impacts of the public realm and mobility works in Blackrock Main Street, and the short-term mobility impacts of the Coastal Mobility Route (CMR). It involved developing and piloting evaluation and audit methodologies to assess the Covid-19 mobility and public realm works in Blackrock Village and on the Coastal Mobility Route (CMR).
- Phase 1-b CMR Mobility Update (July 2022) followed a recommendation from the Phase 1 review for ongoing monitoring. It focused on the Coastal Mobility Route with monitoring and evaluation of the changing mobility patterns throughout 2021 and 2022, as continued responses to the Covid-19 pandemic changed and evolved.
2-Page Summary - Phase 3 DLR Covid-19 Mobility Review: 2024, 2025 - Blackrock
TU Dublin - Blackrock 2025 Summary
Active Travel & Public Realm Evaluation Framework (Draft)
This aim of this Draft Summary Framework is to assist Local Authorities & other similar authorities in the monitoring and evaluation of their active travel & public realm interventions.
DRAFT ACTIVE TRAVEL & PUBLIC REALM EVALUATION FRAMEWORK (SUMMARY)
TU Dublin DLR Coastal Mobility Cycle Route Review Study 2021-2023 - Summary Video (extended version) TU Dublin DLR Coastal Mobility Cycle Route review study (extended)
News & Events
- September 2025
TU Dublin Study finds Main Street Redesign is Positive for Business Vibrancy in Blackrock
- December 2024
- March 2023
- November 2021
TU Dublin Assessment Finds Blackrock Main Street Works Effective | TU Dublin
O'Sullivan, C. (2023). Dún Laoghaire route one of the best in Dublin - report. RTE.ie. [online] doi:urn:epic:1365986. Available at: https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2023/0323/1365986-dublin-route/
Ginty, C. (2023). Businesses along Coastal Mobility Route say it has had a positive or neutral economic impact. IrishCycle.com [online}. Available at: https://irishcycle.com/2023/03/23/businesses-alone-coastal-mobility-route-say-it-has-had-positive-or-neutral-economic-impact/
McCullagh, T. (2021). Calls for extra public space in Blackrock village to be made permanent. [online] Irish Independent. Available at: https://www.independent.ie/regionals/dublin/dublin-news/calls-for-extra-public-space-in-blackrock-village-to-be-made-permanent/41108274.html
O’Brien, T. (2021). Further study of DLR’s new coastal mobility route recommended. [online] The Irish Times. Available at: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/further-study-of-dlr-s-new-coastal-mobility-route-recommended-1.4742301.
Rock, S. (2025). Innovation in Mobility & Regeneration - Creating Transitions in Policy & Practice, ‘Sparking Regeneration on a Redesigned Main Street: Insights from the Businesses of Blackrock 4-Years on’, Industry Engagement Event, TU Dublin, 13th November.
Rock, S. (2025). ‘Four-Year Business Follow-up: Blackrock Main Street’, Royal Town Planning Institute Ireland Annual Conference, 30th September, online.
Rock, S. (2024). ‘Walk the Walk: 8 Priority Recommendations from Mobility Research for Irish Towns & Cities', Transportation Research Area Annual Conference, 16th April, Royal Dublin Society (RDS), Dublin.
Rock. S., & Flavin, S., (2024). Smart Dublin Regional Workshop on Active Travel & Data, Invited Speakers, 27th February, Dublin.
Rock, S. (2023). ‘A Spanner in the Works’: Findings from the TU Dublin Covid-19 Mobility Study into Blackrock and Dún Laoghaire’, Irish Planning Institute Annual Conference, 20th April, Clonmel.
Rock, S. (2023). Innovations in Mobility & Regeneration, Industry Engagement Event, TU Dublin, Co-organiser & Speaker, 9th November.
Research Team & Acknowledgements
Lead Researcher/Principal Investigator: Dr. Sarah Rock
There are several people that have supported and contributed to the research over time. The team from TU Dublin (both current & former) include, but are not limited to: David O’Connor (Project Manager); Odran Reid; Michael Banim; Sinead Flavin; Lorraine D’Arcy; Robert Bradshaw; Brendan Meskell; Colm Walsh; Elaine Edmonds. The research team would like to thank other colleagues and students who have contributed their time to the data collection components of the research; and to Jill O'Callaghan for graphic design input (Phase 1).
The Research Team acknowledges and appreciates all the members of the public who have contributed to the research, especially the interviewees.
The Research Team would also like to particularly acknowledge the contribution and support of the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, including, Conor Geraghty (Senior Engineer – Active Travel, Infrastructure and Climate Change) and Robert Burns (former Director of Services, Infrastructure and Climate Change).