Up to €2.5 billion being invested in Cork as part of unprecedented transformation

Up to €2.5 billion is to be invested in Cork city over the next five years to support the city’s growing population which is projected to increase by 110,000 to 353,500 by 2040.

The investment in the city over the next five years comes as the city enters a period of unprecedented transformation with a commitment to invest in housing, sustainable transport, parks, public spaces and climate resilience over the next five years.

This forms part of a wider €10 billion investment pipeline, excluding health and education, over the next 10 years.

Cork City Council and its public sector partners are working to deliver €1.9 billion on housing; €120 million on walking and cycling facilities; €200 million on rail and light rail planning and design; €190 million on Cork Docklands; €40 million on flood prevention;€35 million on new city library; €25 million of public realm improvements and €14 million on Marina Park Phase 2.

Last year, Cork City Council delivered the MacCurtain Street Public Transport Improvement Scheme and a suite of major public realm, active travel and public amenity projects are now underway including the redevelopment of Bishop Lucey Park and the wider Grand Parade Quarter, Marina Promenade, Mahon Cycle Scheme, and Marina Park Phase 2.

Work is due to start on Morrison’s Island Public Realm and Flood Defence Scheme and development works in the Cork Docklands are ongoing with a draft Framework Masterplan to be published in the coming months.

Chief Executive of Cork City Council Ann Doherty said the expanding city presents “huge opportunities” to become a city of scale with top-class public transport, a vibrant city centre, a greener city, and a healthier city.

“Cork City Council cannot deliver a more sustainable and liveable city on its own. It can support the creation of conditions for a more sustainable way of living but it needs support from residents, communities and businesses and an acknowledgement that the transition, while challenging at times, will ultimately deliver for the city and its people,” she said.

Cork City Council is set to roll out a public information campaign over the coming months to familiarise those who live, work and study in Cork with the rationale behind these projects and details of the schemes to be delivered in the city over the coming years.