Since January 2014, researchers from the School of Applied Social Studies, University College Cork have been undertaking ‘A Socio-Economic and Environmental Impact Study of Cork City Northwest Quarter Regeneration’. Cork Northwest Quarter Regeneration (CNWQR) involves the demolition of 450 houses and their replacement by 656 new housing units in Knocknaheeny over 10-12 years. A range of social, economic and environmental projects are also underway. This aim of the study is to ensure that the Regeneration Masterplan implementation benefits from regular evaluation and review.

Aims and objectives

The objectives of Phase 1 of the study (2014-2016) included:

• Establishing an area profile of demographic, socio-economic and service mapping of the regeneration area including analysis of Census 2011.
• Contributing research to CNWQR policies and plans.
• Conducting a comprehensive door-to-door survey of residents in Regeneration Phases 1 to 5 involving 482 households.
• Measuring performance and outcomes of regeneration activities against the baseline profile, community consultation and evaluation indicators.
• In consultation with the City Council regeneration team disseminating the results of the evaluation to relevant stakeholders including the local community, public representatives, other agencies and the community and voluntary sector.

The objectives of Phase 2 of the study (2017-2021) include:

• Analysing Census 2016 other relevant data to ensure the CNWQR team are working with the most current available data regarding the area profile.
• Conducting ongoing consultation with residents as the regeneration phases progress.
• Reviewing the Social Economic and Environmental Programme (SEEP) in consultation with community organisations to assess short, medium and long term impacts of allocations from the social grant.
• Preparing sectoral research profiles drawing on research conducted to date and evaluation of specific projects.
• In consultation with the City Council regeneration team disseminating the results of the evaluation to relevant stakeholders including the local community, public representatives, other agencies and the community and voluntary sector.

Project Outputs

Cullinane, M., O’Sullivan, S. and O’Connell, C. (2022) ‘Sustainable Urban Regeneration in Ireland: A Case Study’, Perrault, R. (Ed). Urban Regeneration: Methods, Implementation and Management. New York: Nova Science Publishers.

Cullinane, M., O’Sullivan, S. and O’Connell, C. (2021) CNWQR Social, Economic and Environmental Plan (SEEP) Review. Internal Report to Cork City Council.

O’Sullivan, S. and O’Connell, C., (2021) ‘Smart Society: Citizen Engagement in the Cork Northwest Quarter Regeneration’, Smart Communities and the Role of Citizen Engagement, UCC Community Week (online), https://www.ucc.ie/en/civic/open/communityweek/tuesday/smartcommunities/.

Project Funding and Duration 

Funded by Cork City Council and the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Phase I: 2014-2016; Phase II: 2017- Sept. 2021 

Contact

Professor Cathal O'Connell and Dr. Siobhan O'Sullivan, School of Applied Social Studies and ISS21