A city of culture and learning – learning
To build on Cork’s designation as a UNESCO Learning City and the city’s rich cultural heritage and to foster learning, culture, heritage and the arts throughout the City. City of learning and culture
Cork City Centre has a strong, long-standing relationship with educational institutions, going back over centuries. UCC’s draft masterplan represents strong potential for capital projects to be developed over the coming years and the University is planning to develop a new business campus on St Thomas Street that will accommodate 4,000 students and will be operational by 2025/2026. The St Thomas Street project is a major opportunity for the city, increasing footfall in the south city centre area, supporting retail and hospitality in the vicinity of the campus. Public realm improvements will be required over the medium-term. Other developments are ongoing including at the Mardyke Campus and at the Tyndall Institute, which will result in a doubling of researcher numbers at Tyndall to more than 1,000 in the coming years. This growth also includes a substantial increase in postgraduate numbers at Tyndall, growing to a targeted 250 PhD students by 2025. Accessibility between existing campuses and the city centre can be seen as a means of improving agglomeration and innovation. Active transport is sufficient in the short-term, with light rail connecting UCC to the core city centre over the long-term. The Draft CDP highlights the emerging concept of an innovation corridor for Cork City, largely following the proposed route for the LRT and encompassing the Docklands, City Centre, UCC, MTU, Cork University Hospital and the CSAIP. The connection of these sites and institutions has the potential to be transformative for Cork City, helping to foster access and exchange between sectors and contributing to an innovation ecosystem.
As CCC works with the NTA to plan and finalise the route for the LRT, it is recommended that CCC prioritises connectivity and accessibility between institutions by way of walking, cycling and public transport in order to help facilitate the development of an innovation corridor for the City.
On a wider level, art colleges act as landmark buildings in many major cities. The Crawford College of Art and Design excels as a leader in visual arts and generates footfall in its immediate vicinity. There are opportunities to grow its impact on footfall, and to consider space for other arts colleges to consolidate in the south city centre area. Previously, consideration was give to the development of a science museum concept, building on Cork education, science, innovation, and maritime heritage. This has not been advanced, however the exploration of the development of an iconic museum has merit.
Key areas: • Camden Palace • SIPTU
• Debenhams • Kyrl's Quay • The Coal Quay • Former Savoy Cinema • Patrick St • North Main St.
Comparative learnings: Bordeaux – opera house plaza with bars, restaurants, cultural offering, public transport, Porto – Art District, Dundee – Creative Dundee Stakeholders: College of Further Education, Cork College of Commerce, Cork Education Support Centre, Griffith College Cork, Enterprise Ireland, Higher Education Authority, Mercy University Hospital, Munster Institute of Technology, National Maritime Council of Ireland, Tyndall Research Institute, University College Cork
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