Chapter 3 I Delivering Homes and Communities
3.94 These confirm the need to continue promoting a more responsive building environment for older people and the need to take their needs into account in locating, designing and servicing development proposals. The needs inform the Core Strategy including the provision for compact growth and liveable neighbourhoods whilst also forming a key part of the Cork Healthy Cities Action Plan 2020-2030. The needs are addressed through development objectives in this section and in the wider plan addressing adaptable housing, the need to provide suitable accommodation for the elderly, delivering sustainable and accessible public transport and accessible and multi-purpose Green and Blue Infrastructure.
Zoning objectives which address existing and proposed residential-led development, local centres, district centres and the city centre are inherently flexible to accommodate library development subject to wider development management considerations. In addition to the proposals specified above, during the course of the Development Plan new opportunities to delivery libraries alongside new development may arise and these will be supported in principle.
Age-Friendly City
3.92 With an ageing population, there is a need to ensure a supply of adequate services to meet their needs. Many people are remaining in the workforce for longer and staying healthy and active until later in life which is positive; but it necessitates consideration of additional services and more adaptable services and a built environment to meet this need. 3.93 In April 2019, Cork was designated a World Health Organisation Age Friendly City. An Age Friendly City is a place where more and more older people can stay living in their own homes and communities, lead healthy and active lives, get to where they want to go, when they want to go, and are valued con- tributors to the lives of their communities. Cork City needs to continue facilitating improvements with the Cork Age Friendly City Strategy (2016) containing a number of priorities linked to land-use planning including: • Ensuring that older people have access to adequate health services and information and to age friendly health and community facilities needed for healthy and active living; • Ensuring that the location, design and maintenance of buildings and the surrounding environment are age proofed and in line with current best practice; • In transportation terms, enabling older people in Cork City and areas adjoining the city to get to where they need to go when they want to go there; and • Enabling older people to live in their own homes and communities by providing the necessary supports and services as well as suitable housing in the right locations.
An Inclusive, Equitable and Safe City
3.95 In planning for the growth and community infra- structure needs of Cork City, care is needed to ensure that opportunities to facilitate a more in- clusive, equitable and safe city are maximised. Although these considerations extend beyond the remit of spatial planning, they should inform how development is brought forward in Cork City. Many within our community including children, older peo- ple, people with disabilities and Travellers will have specific housing, planning and design requirements. In the planning and design of housing developments there needs to be a focus on community engage- ment and the design of developments must have regard to the varied needs of our community.
Social Inclusion
3.96 Social inclusion is important in creating sustainable neighbourhoods Cork City Council seeks to further integrate social inclusion into the policies, programmes, activities and services of the Council. The aim is to ensure that everyone regardless of their background, experiences and circumstances can gain access to the services and facilities they need to achieve their own potential. The promotion of inclusive neighbourhoods that cater for all in accordance with the principles of universal design and that offer quality of opportunities and quality services to all will be a priority.
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Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028 I Volume 1
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