All neighbourhoods serve a local community. They provide a range of services and facilities and act as a focal point for the local population.

The real value of any neighbourhood is its people. A good neighbourhood fosters a sense of belonging and community. It provides opportunities for people to meet, socialize, play and work together.

'Creating good neighbourhoods and successful communities' is about strengthening Dublin's existing neighbourhoods and communities and fostering the same qualities in newly emerging areas.

In recent years, progress has been made. New mixed-use, family-friendly neighbourhoods and communities have emerged in areas such as Ballymun, Pelletstown and North Fringe. Community facilities such as the Ballyfermot Leisure, Youth & Community Centre, the Lab in the inner city and the Red Stables in St. Anne's Park have helped this process.

In the years ahead we must maintain this growth. Good neighbourhoods require a range of facilities such as schools, care centres, cultural spaces and transport, all of which should be within walking distance of residents and workers. Delivering on this involves many different agencies and requires an inter-agency response to ensure the right elements are delivered at the right time.

Sustainable neighbourhoods also require higher densities to make the necessary facilities, services and transport connections viable. Achieving the related Development Plan priority to 'provide quality homes in a compact city' is a vital part of creating good neighbourhoods.

We must also integrate and act on the many national, regional and local guidelines on best-practice in urban planning that have recently been published. These must be integrated and acted on.

The 'Creating Good Neighbourhoods and Successful Communities' priority is designed to address these challenges and ensure Dublin develops in a way that enhances people's quality of life.