Chapter 6
Green and Blue Infrastructure, Open Space and Biodiversity
Issues / Recommendations / Observations
Sub. No.
Chief Executive’s Response & Recommendation
or visually impaired. The submission requests a revision to support and facilitate the development of outdoor and indoor recreational facilities to cater for people who are blind or vision impaired. This includes ensuring public parks and walkways have inclusive access-points and abide by best practice in terms of inclusive design (footpath width, colour contrast park furniture etc). (iv) The submission sets out multiple suggested edits to incorporate a holistic healthy cities approach to a range of the City Development Plan Objectives in the Draft Plan. It asks for a text change regarding Objective 6.2, Accessibility to the Green and Blue Infrastructure. Cork City Council will work with stakeholders in ensuring that green and blue infrastructure networks and spaces are made available , accessible and safe for all. This includes seating, accessible toilet facilities, appropriate path gradients and surfacing, path widths and signage. (v) The submission relates to permeability in terms of access for people with special needs who do not drive. It asks for an increase effort in permeability for pedestrians/cyclists including building new accesses and opening semi-public access routes (e.g. COPE Foundation controlled gate to Tank Field, but many other parts of the city).
Recommendation Add a reference to inclusive design in Objective 6.18, Public Open space. d. To follow an approach of qualitative as well as quantitative standards for open spaces providing high quality open spaces with high levels of access to recreation for local communities , including good practices of inclusive design . Healthy Cities is an important concern for Cork City Council. Cork city has been designated a WHO Healthy City. Recommendation Amend text in Objective 6.2 Accessibility to the Green and Blue Infrastructure Network a. Cork City Council will work with stakeholders in ensuring that green and blue infrastructure networks and spaces are made available, accessible and safe for all. This includes seating, accessible toilet facilities, appropriate path gradients and surfacing, path widths and signage.
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Objective 10.32 of the Draft Plan specifies that public realm proposals will need to provide for all age groups and universal design. Objective 6.20 requires all active recreation infrastructure to incorporate universal design principles to ensure accessibility for all ages and abilities. Public rights of way / public access are discussed in Chapter 11, paragraph 11.120, while Objective 2.12 Walkable Neighbourhoods in Chapter 2 is also relevant. In Chapter 6, it is reflected mainly in the Public Open Space strategy through
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