Limerick-Shannon MASP Policy Objective 21
Public Realm and Placemaking It is an objective to deliver improvements in the public realm in the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area to create more active and vibrant urban centres which are attractive as locations of choice to live, work and visit. Examples of projects which can strengthen placemaking and public realm in the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area include but are not confined to: • A ‘World Class’ Waterfront – a renaissance of Limerick’s entire Waterfront; • The ‘Limerick Cultural Centre’ – an iconic destination building on the Waterfront; • ‘Great streets’ – a transformation of the City’s three
main streets – O’Connell Street, Catherine Street and Henry Street; • A new City Square/Plaza – to define the focal point or ‘heart’ of the City Centre; • Colbert Station renewal – a new public transport interchange and enhanced station environment; • Renewal of the Georgian Quarter – a concentrated programme to restore the Georgian part of the City to its former glory; • Improvements and enhancement to Shannon Town Centre to create a sense of place, to upgrade public realm and promote redevelopment; • The enhancement of Shannon the Living Town
The challenges of climate change and the transition to a low carbon society are a key component of the RSES and relevant objectives are set out in Volume 1, particularly in Chapters 2 and 5. Responding to these challenges will be particularly relevant to the MASP and appropriate climate adaptation and mitigation measures are supported. 10.0 | Social Inclusion and Infrastructure
There are significant issues relating to social deprivation in both Limerick and Shannon with parts of Limerick City identified as the most disadvantaged area in the Region. Eight of Ireland’s top ten unemployment black spots are located in the MASP area. To achieve an inclusive Metropolitan Area offering equal opportunities for all citizens and to increase the number of persons active in the labour market, a specific focus is required on access to education and training. The working population has grown significantly in recent years. Nonetheless established issues of long- term unemployment in parts of the Metropolitan Area remain. There is a requirement for focus and investment in ensuring long-term measures to systematically tackle these issues. The Limerick-Shannon MASP supports ongoing collaboration with regional stakeholders to ensure that social infrastructure such as education, health and
community facilities are provided and to ensure that opportunities for social as well as physical regeneration are realised. The Community Engagement Gateway planned for the LIT Campus in Moylish is an example Limerick City is a recognised World Health Organisation (WHO) Healthy City affiliated with the National Healthy Cities and Counties Network. Healthy Limerick aims to improve health, wellbeing and quality of life by ensuring all sectors are aware of and collaborate to achieve a healthy society. Limerick is a centre for regional health care services with Limerick University Hospital, a Model 4 hospital providing major surgery, cancer treatment and care, emergency department services as well as other medical, diagnostic and therapy services. University Maternity Hospital, Limerick is the second largest maternity hospital outside of Dublin. The Bon Secours Hospital at Barrington’s is an important private health care provider in the City. The capacity for hospital expansion through intensification and redevelopment of their existing sites and/or buildings needs to be supported.
Southern Regional Assembly | RSES
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