Chapter 3 I Delivering Homes and Communities
3.81 In 2012 Cork was designated a World Health Organisation (WHO) Healthy City. As such, a range of partners, including Cork City Council and the HSE have committed to continually creating and improving the physical and social environments of the city and expanding the community resources that enable people to mutually support each other in performing all the functions of life and developing to their maximum potential. The designation recognises that a Healthy City is not merely a product of health sector activities but largely determined by policies and actions beyond the health sector. The Cork Healthy Cities Action Plan Phase VII 2020-2030 lists a number of actions under relevant themes aimed at improving the health and well-being of people in the City and reduce health inequalities. The Action Plan, by necessity, is multi- faceted but in terms of land-use management there are a number of relevant themes including ‘Healthy Places and Settings’ and ‘Integrated Planning for Health’. 3.82 Within Cork City, healthcare facilities are managed by a range of public, private and voluntary bodies. The Health Service Executive (HSE) is the primary organisation responsible for healthcare infra- structure in the City and is responsible for providing public health and social services. The public healthcare system is undergoing strategic change as part of the ‘Sláintecare’ ten-year programme. In addition to a range of investment proposals and care improvements, one of the key outputs of Sláintecare in terms of spatial planning implications is a strategy of transitioning towards a primary and community-based care system rather than the current hospital-centric model of health care. There are also proposals to invest in the hospital system with the National Development Plan 2018-2027 supporting the development of a new acute hospital and elective hospital for Cork. 3.83 Community Healthcare Networks (CHNs) are being implemented by the HSE across Cork City and County to deliver Primary Health Care Services in accordance with the Sláintecare vision. There are 7 CHNs covering Cork City under the remit of the Cork/Kerry Health Region and each network will manage and deliver local services within its geographical area, working together to meet the needs of the local community. As these centres will offer community-based services, they will be permissible in principle within a wide range of Zoning Objectives.
3.84 In addition to the strategic new development proposals, there are also likely to be requirements to expand and undertake development works to existing healthcare facilities in the City. Subject to compliance with other policy objectives contained in the Development Plan, these proposals will be supported in principle. 3.85 In accordance with wider sustainable transport objectives, measures to help reduce private car use and facilitate more sustainable transport use such as sustainable travel/mobility plans and park and ride facilities will be encouraged in respect of all new and existing hospitals. In the case of Cork University Hospital, this could include implementing a park and ride service involving dedicated off-site parking or shared parking within a facility where the existing parking area is only used periodically or outside daytime hours.
Recreation and Amenity
3.86 The availability of indoor and outdoor recreational facilities at a neighbourhood level is vital to creating a greener, healthier, and more sustainable City overall. It also responds to the challenge of having to plan the future development of the city in a manner that facilitates and encourages every resident, worker or visitor to engage regularly in some form of active recreation, irrespective of their age, economic or social circumstances or their physical capabilities. Much like other forms of community infrastructure, recreational facilities also offer an opportunity for social interaction leading to more inclusive communities while outdoor facilities have the potential to support biodiversity and climate change benefits.
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Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028 I Volume 1
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