City Development Needs To Be For People Not Profit

Recent green lights for North Quay development are to be welcomed but only as a fraction of what is needed to transform our city into a vibrant space for all. Careful planning along with assurances by developers, will be necessary to develop an urban space that blends the needs of its people in harmony with commerce, transport and the built environment.

“We are pleased that the development for Waterford, that we have been championing for years can be progressed” says Úna Dunphy of People Before Profit.  “However, we need to be sure that the sale of sites with planning permission at the North Wharf and Michael Street at the knockdown price of €9m, is the beginning of a process of transforming Waterford City centre into a people friendly living area and positioning the City as a transport hub for the South East”.

It is essential that the WCCC gets assurances this project will be undertaken and completed.  Contractual agreements must be signed to ensure that a quick turnaround sale at an inflated price, cannot happen, nor can the privatisation of any public areas be accepted.

The development at the North Quay must avoid the high-rent gated community type residential development and must create a real community joined to the City centre by a new bridge.  The location of both railway and bus stations on the north of the river is essential to the reopening and development of the South East Rail network reopening Rosslare to Waterford and Limerick.  This is essential in view of the vital importance of the Rosslare and Bellview Ports to the post Brexit freight business and the need to radically reduce emissions from road freight.

We believe that the 2020 – 2028 Development Plan offers a real opportunity to reimagine our city and county.  A  tree lined Linear Park along the South Quay’s, from Rice Bridge to Adelphi Quay with a river side boardwalk, mooring areas, landing stages, kiosks, sculpture, shrubs, seating and performance areas etc., along with walkways and a light rail loop line should revitalise Waterford’s spectacular riverside location.

Una continues “We need to look ahead and take account of all aspects when redesigning central hubs in our city. Working towards a car free centre involves planning, and our river front offers unique possibilities for this, with bus corridors and later the possibility of light rail. A Park and Ride system with shuttle bus services to the Quay could aid the progress of a car free centre.”

We now have an opportunity, to make Waterford a vibrant, iconic living space if we base our decisions on the needs and ambitions of our people and not on the drive for profit.