Cork City Centre – SCOT analysis
The City Centre has a range of strengths and opportunities, and faces some constraints and threats. Threats Strengths
Challenges • Changing retail trends and COVID-19 have dampened footfall demand for traditional retail, requiring a more experiential offer • Building vacancy, particularly of upper storeys, is an inefficient use of building stock, detracts from urban environment • A shortage of green spaces and outdoor amenities may represent a barrier to attracting new families to live in the city centre • Cultural sector lacks access to affordable and secure spaces, constraining opportunity for growth and expansion • Cost to construct and retrofit new apartments is a barrier to addressing vacancy and supplying new housing
• Strong activity in the office and professional services sectors, a driver for employment and FDI • Presence of third level institutions UCC and MTU, provide opportunities for learning, R & D and innovation • Diverse cultural offering, the presence of several cultural institutions serves as a
significant attractor for residents and visitors, with festivals driving year-round activity • A walkable city, pedestrianisation of 17 streets in 2020/2021 has improved accessibility and supported social activity • Anticipated population growth in the Cork
• Cost of housing development may hinder new supply, acting as a barrier to realising projected population growth • If left unaddressed vacancy may lead to further dereliction and deterioration of the city’s built environment • Exit of several international retail brands in recent years, if left unaddressed may compromise the centre’s key retail function • Failure to realise population growth and economic development of sufficient scale may see city ‘lose out’ to Ireland’s other urban centres, diminish Cork’s role as Ireland’s ‘second city’. • Climate change impacts require flood protection and other mitigation and adaptation measures
metropolitan area will contribute to higher levels of consumer demand
Opportunities
• Major levels of public investment, particularly under the URDF will drive transformational projects at Grand Parade and the wider area. • Significant potential for culture and the night-time economy to become a key generator of economic and social activity. • Unlock the River Lee as a key asset in the city, helping develop the city’s identify and tourism offer.
• The implementation of CMATS provides an opportunity to reduce congestion and improve accessibility into and within the city centre, while improved wayfinding and NTA funding for sustainable transport will further support these initiatives • Support independent retail in the city centre to ensure a diverse, attractive and viable retail offering.
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