Limerick-Shannon MASP
Introduction Limerick City is the largest urban centre in the Mid- West and the country’s third largest city. The NPF supports ambitious growth targets to enable Limerick City to grow by at least 50% to 2040 and to achieve its potential to become a city of scale. Shannon is a significant employment centre with assets such as Shannon International Airport, Shannon Free Zone and the International Aviation Services Centre (IASC). Limerick City and Shannon are interdependent, with their complementary functions contributing to a combined strength that is a key economic driver for the Region and Ireland. Limerick Regeneration, the amalgamation of Limerick City and County and the Limerick 2030 initiative have all contributed to enhancing Limerick’s growth potential. Shannon has developed into a centre for research and development for autonomous vehicles that complements Shannon’s role as a world leader in aviation. Working together with, inter alia, Higher Education Institutions, Regional Enterprise Plan and Regional Skill Forum initiatives, Shannon International Airport and bodies such as Shannon Development and the Shannon-Foynes Port Company, there is capacity to build on recent successes and add to the ambitious vision for this Metropolitan Area. Integrated Land-use and Transportation The principles underpinning the MASP include the effective integration of transport planning with spatial planning policies and the alignment of infrastructure investment. The Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy will be instrumental in the regeneration and transformation of Limerick City and the wider Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area. It will deliver a high-quality, accessible, integrated and more sustainable transport network. A key priority of the MASP is the development of strategic residential areas and the provision of the Limerick Northern Distributor Route (LNDR). Housing and Regeneration Regeneration and placemaking are identified as drivers of change and are critical to sustained socio-economic vibrancy. The MASP highlights the need to increase residential density in Limerick City and Shannon through a range of measures including, reductions in vacancy, re-use of existing buildings, infill and site-based regeneration. The MASP supports the densification of Limerick City Centre, the assembly of brownfield sites for development and City Centre rejuvenation and consolidation. Collaborative efforts between local authorities and the Land Development Agency are supported.
Employment & Enterprise The Higher Education Institutions, ETB and Skills Forum that serve the Metropolitan Area are responsive to the upskilling needs of industry and building economic resilience. Positive examples of industrial clusters and inter-agency collaborations are key strengths in creating a vibrant business ecosystem. Key employment locations include Shannon Free Zone, National Technology Park, IDA Raheen Business Park, Limerick’s Dock Road, Annacotty Business Park, Ballysimon and Clondrinagh Industrial Estates with development in progress such in Limerick City Centre (Gardens, Opera, Cleeves) and the opportunity for a South Clare Economic Strategic Development Zone at UL. Investment in the creation of ‘place’, as well as Shannon International Airport and Shannon-Foynes Port, are key to realising the potential to attract and maintain economic activity and talent. There is an increasing demand for employees to engage in upskilling, reskilling and lifelong learning to respond to changing employment patterns and demands by developing skills resilience. The enhancement of linkages between enterprise and higher education and research is critical. Environment The Limerick-Shannon 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. The better integration of biodiversity into economic and development decisions will ensure better projects and will mitigate against unforeseen negative climate change consequences. Placemaking initiatives will create a more attractive area to live, visit and invest. Social Infrastructure 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. Solutions to social disadvantage requires a broad spectrum of responses such as lifelong learning and upskilling. The MASP supports ongoing collaboration with regional stakeholders to ensure that social infrastructure such as education, health and community facilities are provided and, in particular, to ensure opportunities for social as well as physical regeneration.
Southern Regional Assembly | RSES
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