Chapter 2 I Core Strategy actors Affecting Population Growth 39 Residential development is a central driver in realising and sustaining The strategy sets out a city-wide average household size target of 2.49 for the Plan period based on a changing average household size from 2022-2028. population growth. There are additional factors that need consideration when planning for population change. Changes to average household size, migratio and immigration rates and changes to tenure mix and student housing numbe all contribute to population change in the city. Quality of life plays a defining role in influencing population change. Delivering a wide range of improvemen in the urban environment, community infrastructure and cultural experiences improves the quality of life on offer in a city. This higher quality of life leads to an increase in the numbers of people seeking to live, work, study, visit and experience the city. 2.43 Occupancy rates are another important 40 Trends over the last 20 years show an increasingly urbanised global and national population. More recently, Cork City experienced these trends with th population living in the city centre growing by 19% during the last census perio (2011-2016). This growth was four times the rate experienced within the wide city and occurred during a period of very low new residential development. Changes in household size have a significant impact on population growth. Ireland recorded an average household size of 2.75 in Census 2016. Cork Cit recorded a smaller AHS of 2.63 with notable differences at neighbourhood level, ranging from 1.74 in St. Luke’s to 3.25 in Frankfield. Figure 2.17 illustrates the range and variety in Average Household Sizes across the city. This higher quality of life leads to an increase in the numbers of people seeking to live, work, study, visit and experience the city. 2.41 Trends over the last 20 years show an increasingly urbanised global and national population. Cork City has begun to experience this trend more recently, with the population living in the city centre growing by 19% during the last census period (2011-2016). This growth was four times the rate experienced within the wider city (+5%) and occurred during a period of very low new residential development. Changes in household size have a significant impact on population growth. Ireland recorded an average household size of 2.75 in Census 2016. Cork City recorded a smaller AHS of 2.63 with notable differences at neighbourhood level, ranging from 1.74 in St. Luke’s to 3.25 in Frankfield. Figure 2.17 illustrates the range and variety in AHS across the city. 2.42 The Joint Cork Housing Strategy and Housing Need Demand Assessment (HNDA) 2022-2028 has carried out a detailed assessment to help predict and plan for changes in future AHS during the plan period and beyond. consideration in planning for population growth. At any given time, the housing stock in the city will comprise both occupied and unoccupied units. The largest component of unoccupied units is classified as vacant. Figure 2.18 shows how the vacancy rates in Cork City significantly reduced in the period 2011 and 2026. The vacancy rates for houses are at much lower levels than the State averages, with the vacancy rates for apartments at a marginally higher level. For the purpose of projecting forward it is assumed that the residen- tial occupancy rate in Cork City in 2028 will remain constant with the 2016 rate.
Average Household Size Cork City (2016)
0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50
2.88 2.72 3.11 3.02 2.99
2.72 2.63
2.63 2.63 2.75 2.55
2.08
Figure 2.17: Average Household Size (AHS), Source: Census 2016 Figure 2.17: Average Household Size (AHS), Source: Census 2016
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Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028 I Volume 1
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