Introduction Metropolitan Cork has existing critical mass and is an emerging international centre of scale driven by the State’s second city of Cork at the core, and supported by a network of metropolitan towns and strategic employment locations. As a national primary driver and an engine of economic and population growth, Metropolitan Cork is a principle complementary location to Dublin. Strengthened regional connectivity will enhance integration of the Cork metropolitan area with the Atlantic Economic Corridor. It will regenerate and develop as an international Smart City and metropolitan area with an enhanced high-quality environment, vibrant city centre, compact suburbs and metropolitan towns. The MASP builds on the strong tradition of collaboration in Cork, facilitated by initiatives such as the CASP. Land Use and Transportation Sustainable regeneration and growth (particularly compact growth) will be achieved through effective sustainable transport and spatial land use planning. Sustainable higher densities must be delivered, especially at public transport nodal points. Significant investment across a host of agencies will be required to deliver holistic infrastructures for regeneration and growth to achieve the population and jobs targets. The game changer for Metropolitan Cork is the implementation of the CorkMetropolitanArea Transport Strategy (CMATS). Strategic residential and employment development must support the delivery of this network including the proposed high capacity Light Rail Transit Corridor. The distribution of growth must follow a spatial hierarchy that underpins delivery of the CMATS. Refer to Cork MASP Vol 2 for further details. Housing and Regeneration The sustainable growth of Metropolitan Cork requires consolidation, regeneration, infrastructure led growth and investment in each of the following locations: city centre (including the Docklands and Tivoli), light rail transit (LRT) corridor, strategic bus network corridor and suburban area nodal points and corridors along the Ballincollig to Mahon LRT line, district centres, north and south environs, Glanmire, city and suburban area expansion (sustainable and infrastructure led), metropolitan towns on rail corridor, (Monard SDZ, regeneration ofmetropolitan towns and urban expansion areas in Midleton, Cobh, Carrigtwohill, Blarney) and other metropolitan towns (including Carrigaline). Cork MASP
Employment & Enterprise Strategic locations and drivers for economic growth in the metropolitan area will include intensification of employment in the city centre, docklands, city suburban areas, Higher Education Institutes (UCC and CIT) and international centres of research and innovation such as Tyndall, Rubicon, MaREI, Cork Science and Technology Park, Mahon, Ringaskiddy, Marino Point, Carrigtwohill, Little Island and Whitegate. Strategic assets include Tier 1 Port of Cork, Cork Airport, health infrastructure and Cork University Hospital. The special role of Cork Harbour reflecting its natural and historic heritage, industry, maritime economy, tourism and communities, as a unique driver for the Region is recognised and will be subject to an integrated framework plan. Environment The Cork MASP seeks to integrate sustainable economic and social development with the protection and enhancement of the natural environment to ensure our transition to a climate resilient society. Objectives seek a healthy, green and connected metropolitan area, green infrastructure, inter-connected parks, sports and recreation facilities and greenways. Placemaking initiatives and public realmenhancements are supported. Social Infrastructure The Cork MASP supports on-going collaboration with regional stakeholders to ensure that social infrastructure such as education, lifelong learning and skills, healthy cities, health infrastructure and community facilities are provided. Social inclusion and regeneration of disadvantaged areas are supported.
Southern Regional Assembly | RSES
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