3.8 | Networks Designation of individual settlements is not the sole determinant of achieving successful renewal and growth. Across the Region, there are examples of smaller-scale settlements that have a significant role in employment provision to their surrounding communities, often in highly skilled, world-leading innovative sectors. Killorglin in County Kerry for example has twice the ratio of jobs to resident workers than the regional average. Other towns in the Region located near or along inter-
regional corridors and cross-boundary locations share similar economic strengths and specialisms, which when combined, provide strategic opportunities to drive the regional economy, contributing to and interacting with the larger centres of growth such as key towns and metropolitan areas. These networks present opportunities for collaborative projects and shared benefits from strategic infrastructure investments, particularly from improved inter-regional connectivity (transport networks and digital communications) perspective. The RSES also recognises the importance of improved intra-regional connectivity between networked settlements - public transport, rail, inter-urban walking and cycling routes, greenways and e-mobility initiatives. Refer to Chapter 6 Connectivity for more information.
There are a number of well established networks of settlements in the Region that are strategically driving sub-regional growth and there are opportunities for further potential networks. Examples of existing and potential networks include:
• Kerry Hub and Knowledge Triangle: Innovation hub and centres of excellence in an established network between Killorglin, Tralee and Killarney interacting with the Atlantic Economic Corridor. The RSES recognises the important economic role of Killorglin in this network and its strong association with Tralee, Killarney and third level institutions. Reference to this network is also included as an example of regional innovation in Chapter 4; • Galway Ennis-Shannon-Limerick Economic Network: A potential network of Key Towns and Metropolitan Areas sharing assets on the Atlantic Economic Corridor. Reference to this network is also included as an example of regional innovation in Chapter 4; • North CorkAgri-FoodNetwork: A potential network of Charleville, Fermoy, Mitchelstown with Mallow as the Key Town leveraging significant potential from food and beverage and agri-tech assets; • West Cork Marine Network: A potential network based on the N71 West Cork to South Kerry Corridor across settlements of Clonakilty as the Key Town with Skibbereen, Bantry, Schull and Castletownbere, leveraging significant marine economy, tourism, food and beverage, digital and other assets with strategic transport connections to the Cork Metropolitan Area; • Cork Ring Network: A potential network of Mallow Key Town, Bandon, Kinsale, Fermoy, Macroom and Youghal, all with a strong relationship with the Cork Metropolitan Area and with potential for sustainable employment led growth, consolidation and enhancement; • North Kerry/ West Limerick/Shannon Estuary/ Clare: The RSES recognises and supports the
economic role and potential of settlements including Listowel, Abbeyfeale Newcastle West (Key Town), Kilrush as economic drivers in a potential North Kerry/West Limerick/Clare network connected with the Shannon Estuary (and Shannon Foynes Port. Their attributes extend to include the Shannon Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) area and strategic locations identified under the SIFP as a Shannon Estuary Coastal Network. Reference to the SIFP network is also included as an example of our Region’s strategic marine and costal assets in Chapter 4; • Limerick-Waterford Transport and Economic network/axis: This potential network along a strategic east-west axis across the Region links the cities of Limerick and Waterford and the Atlantic Economic Corridor and Eastern Corridor. Cooperation and coordination are required across all Local Authorities to develop potential regional synergies through enhanced collaboration between the Waterford and Limerick-Shannon MASPs, the Key Town of Clonmel and the towns of Carrick- on-Suir, Cahir and Tipperary in South Tipperary. Early initiatives along this axis include the River Suir Blueway. The RSES process has identified the potential for future collaborative actions at local level to realise opportunities; • Waterford-Kilkenny-Carlow-Dublin M9/Rail network: A potential inter-regional network and opportunity for economic collaboration connecting the Waterford Metropolitan Area and Key Towns of Carlow and Kilkenny City on a strategic road and rail corridor linking the Region to the Dublin Metropolitan Area and Eastern andMidland Region. This potential network is further referenced as an example of regional innovation in Chapter 4.
Southern Regional Assembly | RSES
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