Cork plans dockland expo

CORK is planning to host a major European Expo, focusing on urban living, in its docklands region in 2010.

It is hoped the Cork Expo will coincide with the World Expo taking place in Cork’s twin city Shanghai.

City manager Joe Gavin said landmark new buildings could be built in the docklands to demonstrate the technological and cultural ability of the city.

He will ask councillors to back the project, which could attract up to 200,000 people and generate up to €40 million for the local economy, at a council meeting on Monday.

The council’s plans for the regeneration of the city’s docklands include 6,000 apartments, a 5,000-seat conference centre, new offices, parks and marinas.

Mr Gavin said he felt the time was right to organise an expo on urban living in Cork because private developers are responding to the council’s docklands strategy.

“The projected population and other attributes of the proposed development of the docklands will mirror a substantial Irish town. The expo would be focussed on the docklands but could also extend to other sites.”

Mr Gavin said the expo would build on the national and international profile Cork while European Capital of Culture.

Meanwhile, Labour Cllr Ciarán Lynch said he wants the city to bid for the World Irish Dancing Championships, which could generate up to €6m for the economy.