1.0 | Introduction 1.1 | Overview As Ireland’s oldest City, Waterford is long recognised as an International Gateway and Port with its origins dating back to the Viking Settlement of 914AD. The City experienced a significant expansion in the 18th century, including the establishment of Waterford Crystal in 1783. The City was the site of significant manufacturing and trade activity through to the late-20th century when changes in global economic structures and practices, amongst other factors, severely impacted its economic base. In more recent years, the city and wider area has reoriented its economic activity towardsmore knowledge intensive, innovation-based activity, in particular ICT and pharmaceuticals. The City and suburbs have since expanded to a population of 53,504 (2016 Census) with a wider regional population looking to the City for
employment, education, health and public services as well as retail and entertainment.
The NPF has confirmed Waterford’s status as the principal urban centre of the South-East with the objective for the City to become an important driver of national growth and a ‘Regional City of Scale’ with a defined Metropolitan Area. This requires a development strategy to build Waterford’s population and employment base to drive metropolitan and regional enterprise growth in combination with surrounding urban centres. The MASP provides a high level strategic framework for the sustainable development of the Waterford Metropolitan Area based on the ambition for the City and Metropolitan area as an innovation-centred, enterprising, University City with a diverse population, a vibrant cultural sector, a thriving economy, and a significant and substantial profile that brings European and international recognition.
Map 1 | Waterford Metropolitan Area
Southern Regional Assembly | RSES
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