An Economic and Spatial Plan for Limerick Appendices

Limerick 2030 An Economic and Spatial Plan for Limerick
7. Exemplar Studies
In developing an Economic and Spatial Plan for Limerick, inspiration has been taken from good
practice across the world – drawing lessons from individual projects that relate to the
circumstances found in Limerick. Many of the projects selected relate to larger cities. In these
instances the key message is not the scale but the idea, the principle or the approach that is
important.
A thematic approach has been adopted addressing the following elements:
Shopping – as there is a need to totally revitalise the shopping offer refit models are therefore
most appropriate where modern shopping methods are being implemented. In addition the
independent sector will be essential for Limerick as will an enhanced outdoor market
environment.
Knowledge – the idea of using higher education in the City Centre to drive economic
change. Also the idea of knowledge/technology led economic change.
City Centre Living – Limerick City Centre offers the opportunity for different living
environments – Waterfront, Georgian, Medieval and 20 th Century. A key area is the
renovation and re-use of a Georgian neighbourhood. A comparable example is the Duke
Street/Bold Street area of Liverpool.
Destination/Iconic Buildings – there is much to be learned from the use of culture/tourism
iconic architecture in terms of place making and branding, for example Oslo, as well as the
use of culture to drive regeneration.
Events/Festivals – global events are hugely influential in changing image and driving tourism
and wider investment. A good example is the Manchester International Festival.
Waterfront – there are now many excellent waterfront developments across the world –
though no two are alike. Liverpool has lessons, as has Melbourne and Ebro in Portugal.
Scandinavian countries also offer lessons – Copenhagen and Oslo are good examples.
Green Cities/Sustainability – this is a growing feature of city design and renaissance.
Scandinavian cities offer excellent lessons – Stockholm, Copenhagen. Also Freiburg in
Germany and certain north American cities - Chicago.
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