City: Waterford, Republic of Ireland

City: Waterford, Republic of IrelandContext:

Waterford is the oldest city in Ireland, with a current population of 47,000.It is a regionally significant gateway city, built on both sides of the River Suir, in South East Ireland. Its river side location means it is routinely subject to flooding.

Strategic Development Plan:

Waterford City Development Plan,2013-2019Comprises 2 volumes, 3 appendices,4 schedules, 2 zoning & & 2 supporting strategies running to almost 650 printed pages.

Policy Objective 1.1.2: To facilitate the delivery of key infrastructure,see measures below

Structures

A new, single, unified County & city Authority with revenue raising powers, supported by an integrated County & City development Plan, Regional Planning Guidelines, and the National Spatial Strategy, a 20 year development plan intended to provide a number of key strategic alternatives to Dublin, as major centres of growth.

Measures

Provision for a population increase of almost 30,000 people (or 57% population growth) in Waterford City and Environs by 2020

A downstream river crossing to facilitate the extension of the Outer Ring Road

A new city centre pedestrians/cyclists bridge, to link the redeveloped North Quays with the existing City Centre

Development of a high-quality bus-based public transport system in the City supported by Park and Ride facilities located north and south of the River

The completion of the new Waste Water Treatment Plant providing significant capacity for future housing and industrial development

The provision of a virtually limitless band width as provided by the MAN Broadband infrastructure

The continued enhancement of flood defences to take account of climate change.

Increases in sustainable energy supply capacity

Development of world class educational and research facilities at Waterford Institute of Technology, working in close collaboration with indigenous and new high tech industries

Expansion of the East Waterford Water Supply Scheme to secure the supply of Water to the city.

Expansion and improvement of the South-East Regional/Waterford Airport

Innovative Ideas

The development of a 163 hectare Waterford Knowledge Campus at the Western City boundary, has excellent knowledge development via links with Waterford I.T. and industry development potential. The focus of the campus is to provide a globally recognised "green" environment, stimulating education, innovation,knowledge transfer, indigenous and foreign direct investment. The campus will comprise Ph.1 of Measure 6, above.

Action PanContinued enhancement of flood defences along the quay side and on the banks of the St. Johns river which rises to the south of the city, flowing through most of its southern suburbs before joining the river suir, east of the city centre.

Impelemtnation of mandatory mininmum floor levels for all new developments on the north quays and other areas known to flood as part of the planning policy for the city.

The rolling out of the MAN referred to in Measure 6, above, extending Ph.1 from the knowledge campus (See innovative ideas) to the Main Waterford I.T. Campus and the new Business & Technology Park

Continued Developemnt of PArk and ride facilites in conjunction with enhanced public transport will facilitate future develpoemtns in th eWaterford Knwoledge Campus, The Main Waterford I.T. Campus and the new Business & Technology Park

Feasibility