Chapter 6 I Green and Blue Infrastructure, Open Space and Biodiversity
Cork City’s Green and Blue Infrastructure Framework
The Water Environment in Cork City is an integral component of the GBI network, playing a fundamental role in managing flooding and surface water drainage, maintaining water quality, and enhancing enjoyment of public spaces. The City’s rivers and catchments play central roles in a healthy GBI network.
Cork City requires a functional and resilient Biodiversity network to transition to a low carbon environment, address flood risk and air quality pressures, maintain healthy food production, and to inspire and educate through access to nature.
The Landscape and Harbour in Cork contribute to its wider setting, creating a unique sense of place. Identifying and delivering new GBI opportunities will conserve, enhance and increase the enjoyment of the environment as assets for both residents and visitors.
A diverse GBI network offers many opportunities for Tourism, Culture, Recreation and Leisure . Protecting and enhancing Cork City’s GBI network will increase ecotourism and promote nature-based and heritage-based tourism.
A well-planned GBI network in Cork City will help reverse the detrimental impacts of Climate Change ensuring the GBI assets unique to the City continue to provide valuable ecosystem services in the fight against extreme weather events and increasing global temperatures.
Connectivity and Access to green and blue space and areas for recreation in the City provides a host of benefits to health and wellbeing, air quality, climate change and biodiversity and is central to sustaining active travel for all.
An enhanced GBI network in Cork City offers major benefits for People, Community, Health and Wellbeing including opportunities for exercise, sport, amenity, recreation (including formal and informal play), social inclusion and community enterprise.
Delivery of a well-planned GBI network offers Economic Value and Land Use Management opportunities that can localise economic benefits, promote inward investment, increase employment and stimulate wider economic activity in the City.
Table 6.1: Cork City’s Green and Blue Infrastructure Framework.
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Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028 I Volume 1
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