A multifunctional, green square. Mitchelstown, IRL
New Market Square
Our vision transforms a large parking area at the heart of Mitchelstown into a multifunctional green square for everyday use, weekly markets and niche events.
The Georgian Quarter
The Georgian Quarter has an ambitious, historic layout, which underpins the town’s identity and is unique in Ireland. The area includes large urban and garden squares and multiple streets. Our vision for Mitchelstown Georgian Quarter delivers a multifaceted plan for a climate adapted Quarter with multifunctional green square and streets with active travel and enhanced heritage.
The Square
The transformation of New Market Square from a large parking lot to a multifunctional green square is an example of how to adapt town centres for climate change, active travel and accessibility for all ages. The original Square with surrounding buildings was laid out but never completed.
Participation and walking sessions in Mitchelstown were carried out to ascertain the needs of residents and business people. The response was energetic and enthusiastic. For New Market Square we were given a host of requirements that we added to the vision statement and incorporated into the design. This included a meeting place in the square, a canopy, wider pavements for on-street eating, undergrounding of street wiring, a Christmas tree location, Christmas lighting for the Square, a one-way traffic system, new pedestrian crossings to the square, an event space, a planned market layout, running water and electricity supply for the weekly market, a public toilet, a place for teenagers to play, fitness areas, a space for niche events and festivals, grass areas, new seating areas, a small children’s playground, a route to walk around the square, a nature- based system, for water rain water management, colourful raised planters, new tree planting, bus and taxi stops, the retention of historical axes and views, a pollinator and herb garden, a plaza, the reintegration of monuments and sculptures, a new lighting design for the Square, disability and age- friendly parking, a new pedestrian crossing at Upper Cork Street, the retention of heritage kerbs and paving, smoother pavements and the implementation of an active travel strategy for the Square. We were also requested to replace trees in the Square as pruning and small tree pits had limited their potential and were blocking views to surrounding buildings in the Square. Several iterations were carried out to fine tune the needs of local residents and business owners ( including market stall holders).
As part of this phase we developed a tourism strategy with our adviser Repucon for the Georgian Quarter. It recommended several key points; including a green entrance to the town, and more activities to entice and encourage visitors to stay and spend time there.
A spot parking survey to determine regular parking use was undertaken by Idaso/Tobin and indicated that 42% of the parking was occupied on a regular day, meaning 58% was typically empty. Three parking models; more(+20%), less (-27%) and significantly less (-50%) were presented to public in the early stages of the design process for discussion. A consensus for the less option (-27%) was supported. The design was developed in line with this option, but was also adaptable to a 16% reduction in parking, with an additional 10m of walking distance to Upper Cork Street.
The idea of ‘high street’ has drastically changed in recent times with online shopping and although parking and accessibility are still key, the need to balance parking with other values such as ‘experience’ and quality design are required. However, the need to use the car for short journeys within the town are discouraged. Academic research in other European countries has shown that this rebalancing of needs (if done correctly) reinforces the core of the commercial centre and reduces dereliction. So the approach proposed was as much a strategy for commercial resilience as making climate adapted, biodiverse and people-oriented spaces.
The new design proposes to complete the enormous square with a design based on the Georgian design ideal but crafted for today’s uses. A green frame of trees to offer a walking route and colorful planting around the square was proposed. The trees have raised canopies allowing the architecture around the square to remain visible. A new plaza offers a flexible urban space with raised planters and ties in with the commercial heart of the town on Upper Cork Street. A central green area of lawns, gardens, paths and seating offers a flexible green spaces for relaxation and niche events.
The central axis has a wide pedestrian boulevard with a central canopy for gathering and accommodates the weekly market.
The parking was reconfigured into two compact and efficient spaces with safe entrances. A reduction of 29% was proposed for the part 8 submission. The roadways around the square were reconfigured to one-directional traffic ( to be shared by cyclists ) and pavements areas were extended for on-street eating. Finally Upper Cork Street was reconfigured and a pedestrian crossing was added. Then the square was re- programmed with the requirements requested by the residents and business owners as described earlier. The entire square was proposed to be refurbished in high quality stone, taking account of original paving patterns, kerbs and heritage aspects. A new lighting design was proposed.
Role
REDscape Landscape & Urbanism was invited to design the revitalized public realm for the Georgian Quarter in Mitchelstown, County Cork. The vision was co-developed with local stakeholders for the Georgian Quarter in Mitchelstown and approved ( with the exception of the Square) by local Councilors for formal planning.
Client: Cork County Council
Team: REDscape Patrick Mc Cabe, Fatemeh Hosseinimoghaddam, Farzaneh , Extern: The project is a collaboration with a team of specialists including, James Bourke Architects, Archer Archaeologists, Moloney Fox Engineers, Minogue Environmental Consultants, Repucon Tourism Consultants, and Signify Lighting Specialists and Tobin Engineers.
Status: Completed