Southern Regional Assembly RSES LowRes

Cork MASP Policy Objective 16

Retail a. Support the role of Metropolitan Cork as a Level 1 location for retail provision and the retail hierarchy for as identified in the Metropolitan Cork Joint Retail Strategy 2013 which identifies: • Level 1: Metropolitan Cork: Cork City Centre • Level 2: Large Metropol i tan Towns : Ballincollig, Carrigaline, Cobh and Midleton.

Level 4: Neighbourhood Centres and Large Village Centres. Level 5: Local centres, corner shops and smaller villages.

b. Support the role of the Metropolitan Cork Joint Retail Strategy and seek further preparation of joint retail strategies for Metropolitan Cork between Cork City Council and Cork County Council in accordance with Section 28 Retail Planning Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2012).

Level 2: District Centres: Blackpool, Douglas, Wilton, Mahon Point, Ballyvolane, Cork Docklands, Hollyhill. Level 3: Smal ler Metropol i tan Towns: Carrigtwohi l l . Glanmire, Passage West , Blarney, Monard.

9.0 | Environment The Cork MASP seeks to integrate sustainable economic and social development with the protection and enhancement of the natural environment whilst ensuring our transition to a climate resilient society.

considerable value to the Cork Metropolitan Area. This value needs to be recognised and utilised to ensure sustainable funding of these assets. The better integration of biodiversity into economic and development decisions will ensure better projects and will mitigate against unforeseen negative climate change consequences. As per Chapter 5 of the RSES, the incorporation and consideration of an ecosystem services approach can lead to significant enhancements in relation to planning policy and decision-making. An ecosystem services approach can be a major catalyst in bringing the different pieces of the jigsaw together while assisting us all to better understand and articulate the potential win win outcomes. The RSES actively seeks measures to achieve a low- carbon society and enhance the environment through the reduction of greenhouse gases, minimising energy demand and waste in order to reduce the increasingly adverse effects of climate change. This includes a shift to clean mobility, improved walking and cycling environments and a reduction in car-demand. Refer to RSES Chapters 5 and 6.

Placemaking initiatives such as investment in public realm will create a more attractive area to live, visit and invest.

High-quality green and blue spaces are important not just for nature but for peoples’ health and wellbeing, particularly in an increasingly urban society and increasing settlement densities. There is a need to plan more strategically for green and blue infrastructure in the Cork Metropolitan Area, particularly considering climate action strategies and plans. This is important in the context of the transformative changes that will take place in the metropolitan area. Natural and semi-natural assets should be recognised as ‘infrastructure’ and like any type of infrastructure, these assets will only continue to provide us with these benefits if we actively plan, invest in and manage them sustainably. Green and blue infrastructure brings

Southern Regional Assembly | RSES

267

Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker