Presentation to 2014 ICLRD Conference, Armagh City Liam Conneally Senior Planner Limerick City and County Council Introduction LG role in supporting Enterprise.

Presentation to 2014 ICLRD Conference, Armagh City

Liam ConneallySenior PlannerLimerick City and County Council

Introduction

LG role in supporting Enterprise and Economic Growth

Questions to be asked of Local Government

Putting People First

Responding to the Challenge – Limerick's approach

Questions

Have we a clear sense of what we want for our future environment?

Is the Local Government Structure fit for the challenge ahead?

Do we have the skills sets and competencies available to play our part in a changing system?

We talk about spatial planning but should we not be discussing planning for people?

Have we the courage to embrace a different way of responding to the new demands of Putting People First?

Putting People First

Local Government is being empowered to lead economic, social and community development locally.

Local Government will be the main vehicle of governance and public service at local level, deliver efficient and good value services, and represent citizens and communities, as effectively and accountably as possible.

Separate structures of public service will not therefore be established outside of local government unless clearly necessitated in exceptional circumstances.

• High Level of Unemployment

• Poorly Performing City Centre

• High Level of Social Deprivation

• Lack of Unity

• Image

The Approach

That the people of Limerick are supported by a professional, proactive and accessible local government structure at the heart of a wider public service

Acknowledged for its inclusive participation of all it's citizens in the development of their community

That Limerick is the desired location for business development, cultural enrichment and educational opportunity

That Limerick and the MidWest will compete with other European destinations in terms of business, tourism, living and investment

Vision

Empowering People

There are 8 priority themes in the regeneration programme

Community Participation, Empowerment and Civic Engagement and Whole of Government Approach - support an integrated approach across the LRFIP as a whole. The Policing, Justice and Community Safety Priority is required to create the conditions for other elements of the LRFIPs to work.

Education and Learning

Health and Well Being

Ageing Well

Employability and Work

Families and youth at risk

Community

Social Strategy

• Mid-West Task Force Report

• Putting People First – Action Programme for

Effective Local Government (DoECLG)

- LA’s to prepare Economic Development Plans

• Alignment of Economic and Spatial Policies of the

merging Local Authorities

• Other Locations who have transformed their Cities/Regions have used this approach

• Consultants GVA/AECOM/Thinking Place appointed

• Expertise in:-

1. Economic Analysis and Business and Economic Development2. Spatial and Urban Planning3. Architecture, Cultural and Heritage4. Transportation5. Marketing

• Limerick City Urban Area

• Key Locations in County

Economic and Spatial Plan

Limerick 2030: An Economic and Spatial Plan

3 Elements:-

Economic Strategy

Spatial Plan

Marketing Plan

ECONOMIC STRATEGY

Economic objectivesStrategy: Reviving Limerick’s Economy

Research & Analysis

Economic Challenges

Economic Objectives

Economic Actions

Economic objectives

Grow and Diversify the Limerick Economy

Attract Greater Level of FDI

Bring More Economic Activity to the City Centre

Increase High Value Knowledge Based Employment

Maximise Impact of Limerick’s ICT Assets and Reputation

Improve Economic Infrastructure

Develop Economic Governance and Delivery Structure

Economic Challenges

Economic objectives

Position Limerick as a competitive knowledge economy,

known for its skills base, excellence in high-tech sectors

Develop an outstanding environment for starting and growing new

business

Create the conditions for long-term economic growth

Create a vibrant city centre economy with a new mix of economic uses

and a strong education presence

Maximise local employment impact from development and Regeneration

Economic Objectives

Economic objectives

Conclusions and Recommendations:-

1. Potential to Create 12,000 FTE new jobs (5,000 in City Centre)

2. Limerick should aim to become Ireland’s most Business Friendly

Location

3. Develop Multi-Sectoral Cluster Approach

4. Develop Rural Economic Nodes around Principal Towns

5. Identify Strategic Uses for Industrial Zoned Lands in County Limerick

Economic Strategy

Economic objectives

Conclusions and Recommendations (continued):-

6. Establish €50M Seed and Venture Capital Fund

7. Develop Ultra-fast Broadband Capacity

8. Develop City Centre Higher Education Campus

9. Develop Innovation Hub

10.Establish High Level Economic Group

Economic Strategy

SPATIAL PLAN

‘A good city is like a good party, you stay much longer than you planned’

Jan Gehl

A Premier Shopping and Leisure Destination

A Thriving Business Centre

An Expanding Residential Population

A Leading Centre for Culture/ Arts/ Creative Industries

A World Class Tourism Destination

A High Quality Safe, Pedestrian Friendly Place

Strong Rural Economy

Vision for Limerick City Centre

A ‘Special City’ – innovative, authentic, attractive, unique,

progressive at the centre of a prosperous rural hinterland

1. A Revitalised Waterfront

2. The Limerick Cultural Centre

3. Great Streets

4. A New City Square

5. City Centre Higher Education

Campus

6. Renewal of Georgian Quarter

7. A New Public Transport

Interchange

7 Transformational Projects

A New Riverside Park

Extending from Sarsfield Bridge to King John’s Castle

The ‘front garden’ to the city - pedestrian- friendly and ‘green

Open views and access - remove Sarsfield House

Open up rear of Hunt Museum

New Pedestrian Bridge across Abbey River

Limerick Cultural Centre as focal point

The Limerick Cultural Centre

A state of the art visitor attraction/ destination on the riverfront :‘hub’ concept - museum, library, performance - National Diaspora Centreiconic architecturethe best site - waterfront and heart of the city

A New City Square

Centred on Arthur’s Quay AreaA meeting place / place of celebrationPedestrianise or limit through trafficActive frontagesAppropriate scale and high quality designAppropriate to Limerick

Reviving the Shopping Offer

New Retail Development adjacent to Arthur’s Quay

Renovation of Cruises Street

Refurbishment Debenhams / Pennys

Support for Independent shopping

Open air/ street market

High Quality, Pedestrian Friendly Retail Quarter

City Centre Education Campus

Imperative to aid revitalisation of City Centre

A multi-campus concept - UL/ LIT and MI

Build on LIT proposals and recent investments by MIStudent accommodation

Complements Development of a Business Quarter

Renewal of Georgian Quarter

Tax incentive regime to encourage refurbishment for home ownership (LivingCities Initiative)Owner Occupier – business/retailCouncil – led pilot/ demonstration projectNeed to retain and protect existing businessesNeed to meet people’s accommodation needsProtection can lead to DestructionNeed to Relax Restrictions

Public Transport Interchange

A new inter-modal interchange

Refurbished rail station, new bus station, relocated car park

New entrance plaza

Better signage and connections to city core

Aerial View of Transformational Sites

A B

C D

Train/Bus Station

Sarsfield Bridge

Georgian Quarter

Charlotte Quay

Dock Road

Photomontage of Riverside Park

Photomontage of New City Square

Georgian Block – Demonstration Project

• Estimated Project Cost €2M

• Limerick Civic Trust

Limerick City & County Limerick City & County CouncilCouncil

CPGCPGLCDCLCDC

SPCSPCSPC SPC SPC

Metropolitan District

Municipal District

DistrictDistrict

Municipal District Municipal District

• Signing of the Charter of Cohesiveness and Convergence

• Economic Forum

• Reduction of City Council Rates by 21% in 2013/14

• Introduction of Business Incentive Scheme

• Since January 2013 – 450 new jobs created in Limerick City Centre

• Review of Development Contribution Schemes

• Implementation of a single business support centre

• Establishment of the Limerick Marketing Company

• Innovation Hub ready for Launch

• City Centre Cultural Infrastructure Strategy

• Limerick – National City of Culture 2014

Progress To Date

Economic Forum;

“To advise, support and influence the delivery of Limerick 2030: Economic and Spatial Plan and to assist in the development of other measures to improve the economy in Limerick”.

Key City Centre Development Sites to be progressed

‘Opera’ Site

Arthur’s Quay Retail Centre

Georgian Block

‘Hanging Gardens’ Development

Bridge connecting Arthurs Quay Park to Johns Castle

To Conclude Local Government is a significant player in the economic development of this country. Its role is often undervalued but its contribution is immense. As highly accountable and responsive organisations, grounded in their business, environmental, cultural, educational, and social communities, they are closest to our citizens needs. Local Government is therefore not just simply an agent of central government, it is in its own right an innovative leader of the economic growth of the country across all sectors of society. We look forward to further enhancement of this role over the next programme of EU funding and we will make a significant contribution to the achievement of the challenging targets of Irelands National Reform Programme.