Masterplan Riverlands, New Ross (IRL)

Riverlands is a new urban plan for the west bank of New Ross in County Wexford. The urban concept proposes to develop a new river front which contrasts with colorful buildings and natural stone quays of New Ross’s town centre on the east bank. Riverlands, proposes to develop a much greener river front with an assortment of different housing types to form a new town edge on the Barrow river.

The plan is subdivided into a series of blocks between which green strips in the form of parks are located. These spaces are directly accessible form houses on one side and are largely free from vehicular traffic, making them safe and socially well controlled. The parcellation system is designed to allow the housing types to be interchangeable. The houses are also staggered in the composition of the plan, generating an informal rhythm familiar to village housing. The allotments have long edges, enclosed by hedges which contribute to the village atmosphere.

The park strips run up onto the surrounding dike that borders the Barrow. Plantations of existing oak trees can be found in these spaces The river edge forms a natural area of high ecological worth in which the eb and flood of the Barrow van be experienced. Views to the river and the far side of New Ross can be enjoyed from a pathway along the top of the dike. This pathway is adjoined to the parks areas on the inside of the dike.

The houses are designed with a working space and parking at ground level. This allows the living space to be placed higher in the house permitting views of the river. Some of the houses adjoining the park areas the surface f the park is raised in the form of an embankment to connect with the first storey. These houses have a garden that runs directly from the embankment into the park.