Raft of changes urged to reinvigorate historic Cork street

Derelict sites must be tackled and some medieval laneways should be opened up to improve pedestrian access as part of a multi-agency strategy to rejuvenate one of Cork’s most historic streets.

They are among the key recommendations contained in a major planning report on North Main St which was launched last night. The report, a joint initiative of UCC’s Centre for Planning Education and Research and the North Main Street Traders’ Association, formed part of the formal teaching programme of UCC’s master’s in planning and sustainable development which aims to provide students with a “real-world” planning challenge as part of their course.

The students spent several months examining the challenges facing North Main St, and identifying its strengths. Their findings were published last night as the street’s Christmas lights were switched on.