Sustainable Urban Development Cork City s experience of the Designated Urban Centre Grant Scheme Ann Doherty Chief Executive, Cork City Council 27 th March 2018
Southern and Eastern Regional Operational Prog. 2014-20 Designated Urban Centre Grant Scheme Sustainable Urban Development an objective of EU Regional Policy (Art 7) Eligibility based on designation in National Spatial Strategy as Gateway city/hub town A minimum of 5% of ERDF allocation for Sustainable Urban Development Projects had to demonstrate that they fit with Integrated Strategy for the city/town Focus on integrated social, economic and environmental development of urban centres Scheme managed by Regional Assemblies 1
Southern and Eastern Regional Operational Prog. 2014-20 Designated Urban Centre Grant Scheme (DUCGS) Gateway Cities of Cork, Limerick and Waterford, plus Hub towns Themes Urban Revitalisation Sustainable Urban Transport 50% co-financing rate 2
Cork Gateway or Metropolitan Cork, shown hatched Consists of Cork City administrative area and adjacent parts of Cork County administrative area 3
Planning Policy Framework National Spatial Strategy South-West Regional Planning Guidelines Cork area strategic plan (non-statutory) Cork City Development Plan 2015-21 Cork County Development Plan 2014 4
Cork Area Strategic Plan (CASP) Metropolitan Cork (Gateway) Land Use and Transportation Strategy 5
Cork City Development Plan Sustainable Urban Development Polices Revitalisation of city centre Redevelop docklands as new high density mixed use urban quarters Promote sustainable transport public transport, walking cycling 6
Cork project selection criteria for DUCGS in 2015 19 Projects scored based on following criteria: Project value (local, intermediate, strategic) Catalyst value (wide, medium, low) Funding gap (between secured and required) Planning status (risk indicator) Value for money (internal rate of return 7
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Cork Gateway projects submitted for funding 9
Cork projects approved for funding: Harley Street Pedestrian Bridge Marina Park 10
City Centre Movement Strategy: promoting walking, cycling, public transport 11
Harley Street Bridge pedestrian and cycle bridge Objective of City Development Plan since 2004 Integrated with City Centre Movement Strategy Supports sustainable modes of transport (co-funded by National Transport Authority) Improved Linkages from City centre to Railway station and Mc Curtain Street/ Victorian Quarter Protects nearby Brian Boru bridge from change, (protected heritage structure) 12
Harley Street pedestrian and cycling bridge- process and public engagement Local stakeholder workshops held Design via competition Exhibition held as part of consultation on Part VIII Planning process Construction: April 2018-March 2019 Naming competition to be held 13
Bridge will improve connectivity from City Centre to the Victorian Quarter, an area undergoing revitalisation at present 14
Marina Park in context: South Docks Local Area Plan Brownfield regeneration area 160 ha in extent Capacity for 20,000 people and up to 25,000 jobs Marina park the main amenity area 15
Marina Park Design 16
Marina Park process and public engagement Iconic park as part of Docklands redevelopment Marina Park international design competition held 2011 Masterplan prepared 2013 Integration of GAA stadium with Park Exhibitions and public consultation at each stage of design and planning process Construction May 2018- Feb 2019 17
Marina Park Phase 1 Co-funded by DUCGS, Cork City Council and National LIHAF scheme 18
Addressing climate change - Surface water management Marina Park designed to provide surface water storage for other parts of the South Docks, helping to prevent flooding from heavy rainfall events 19
Marina Park 20
Marina Park catalyst for future development The park will act as a catalyst for future mixed residential and office development in south docklands Park will also benefit existing community in the area and the wider city 21
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Conclusion on the experience of the DUCGS in Cork City Projects were closely integrated with urban policy in the city (City Development Plan, City Centre Strategy, City Centre Movement Strategy, South Docks Local Area Plan) DUCGS helped fund projects that would otherwise have taken longer to fund and helped leverage funding from other sources e.g. National Transport Authority for Harley Street Bridge Helped develop system of objective project identification and assessment, ensuring they aligned with overall policy priorities Challenges include need for funding to be part of on going programme rather than one-off 23