Cork County Council Announce Public Realm Enhancement Plan for Cobh

An exciting new urban design to enhance the public realm of Cobh’s town centre has been drawn up by Cork County Council, with a people-centred approach that promises to make Cobh a more attractive town in which to live, work and visit. Senior Executive Architect Giulia Vallone and Cork County Council Architects’ Department have been previous RIAI Award Winners with public realm projects such as Clonakilty 400 Masterplan.

Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Mary Linehan Foley commented, “This transformational plan aims to create a people friendly town centre, enhancing the cultural heritage of this historic town, while encouraging active and healthy lifestyles. It’s a holistic plan that places Cobh’s local economy at its core. It will improve safety and the natural environment with an urban greening strategy using integrated sustainable urban drainage and planting to enhance biodiversity. More accessible routes and improved wayfinding throughout the town will make for a more inclusive space for both the local community and visitors. It’s a very exciting project for Cobh.”

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey added, “With the Cobh Public Realm Plan, Cork County Council aims to revitalise the historic town core through high quality placemaking, improved pedestrian connectivity, offering the local community and visitors a place to gather, socialise and host events in the town. Hand in hand with Project ACT this public realm enhancement plan will help revitalise Cobh and will be a massive boost to economic regeneration in the area and will benefit the cultural and socio-economic development of Cobh.”

The plan comprises a wide range of public realm enhancements including:

• Tree-lined traffic tables facilitating safe crossing for pedestrians
• Greening of car parking and more accessible footpaths in the heart of Cobh
• Redesign of the town plaza with outdoor dining
• Lighting masterplan to enhance the townscape, save energy, respect natural habitat and promote a safe and thriving night economy
• Soft landscaping, rain gardens, urban trees and an innovative street furniture strategy
• Reconfiguration of the town park, its connection with the Irish Navy and reconnection with the heritage promenade
• A new Top of the Hill streetscape which will attract footfall and maximise safe walking routes to schools and drop off areas
• A new sense of neighbourhood throughout the higher town core for residents including new accessible terraces to frame the view of Cobh’s most iconic buildings

Brian O’Flynn, Head of Ireland’s Ancient East, noted that “Cobh is a key tourism destination within Ireland’s Ancient East and Fáilte Ireland has supported Cork County Council in their application under the Urban Regeneration Development Fund to further enhance the visitor experience of the town. The improvements to the public realm proposed in this plan will not only help to attract more visitors to Cobh, but also will encourage them to stay for longer and explore all that the area has to offer.”

Johanna Murphy, President of Cobh and Harbour Chamber, commented “The Chamber is delighted to be involved in this exciting and ambitious project. This public realm enhancement will benefit both businesses and the community for generations to come. This urban regeneration strategy, attracting people to live in the town centre, will help with the issue of vacancy and dereliction. Cobh and Harbour Chamber have been working closely with Cork County Council and we thank them for their efforts and support.”

Further information on Cobh Public Realm Enhancement Plan will be available on www.corkcoco.ie.