Over the past two years, Cork has undergone a transformative journey in placemaking. What once was a fragmented and often unrecognised effort is now evolving into a structured, value-driven approach, explicit in policy, shaping urban development and fostering community engagement. Through the Cities in Placemaking programme, Cork stood out not only in terms of sense of humour but has also been able to reflect on its strengths, address challenges, and adopt a more intentional approach to creating places that reflect its unique identity—its Corkness.
Recognising What Was Already There
At the outset, Cork city officials and stakeholders made a surprising discovery: they had been practicing placemaking all along—just without calling it that. The city had long championed initiatives like outdoor dining, parklets, and artistic interventions such as Street Art projects. Community development and social inclusion initiatives advocated for increased community engagement with capital and programme investment across the city. Since 2019, the City Centre Placemaking Fund had been supporting local initiatives, and Cork’s strong urban identity encouraged innovation and problem-solving.
However, what was missing was a shared understanding of placemaking—how to define it, measure its impact and integrate it more cohesively across different sectors. Without a common language, efforts remained scattered, limiting their full potential.
The Shift: From Fragmented Efforts to Embedded Practice
Like many cities, Cork initially faced challenges such as scepticism, siloed working and a lack of a shared vision, and difficulties articulating the value of placemaking. Some saw placemaking as an abstract idea rather than a practical tool for urban development. While funding existed, it was not always easy to secure for placemaking-specific projects.
Through the programme, Cork tackled these challenges head-on. The city shifted from intermittent interventions to moving towards a structured and embedded approach. One of the biggest changes has been adopting a more thoughtful, engaging participatory process, ensuring better preparation and deeper interaction with communities. Internal communication has also improved, making placemaking a shared responsibility rather than a niche initiative.
A key aspiration has been integrating placemaking into urban development, not just in public projects but also in private-sector collaborations. City Council project managers are now trialling meaningful engagement with community leaders early in the process, creating a more inclusive approach to growth. Cork is also exploring what it means to be value-based, aligning decisions with community values and a broader sense of purpose.
Creating Opportunities for Connection
Cork’s new approach to placemaking goes beyond physical transformation—it’s about creating interactions that bring spaces to life. By putting more focus on meanwhile uses – temporary, adaptable projects that activate underutilised spaces – the city is demonstrating how placemaking can be experimental, impactful and let’s not forget about this one – fun.
Crucially, the conversation around urban development has shifted. Instead of being solely about technical planning, engineering standards and climate action, discussions now consider how spaces feel, how they connect people, and what makes Cork unique. City officials and stakeholders are working to empower themselves to innovate, to try and fail, and to pilot temporary and lasting innovations. The profile of placemaking is being elevated to senior ranks in the municipality, and the completion of this programme has energised the conversation about how this approach can be cemented in a meaningful way so that it is no longer seen as a separate effort but as a core principle of urban development, strengthening both the city and its communities.
And Most Importantly: Corkness – A City’s Identity in Place
Through this journey, Cork has embraced its unique character – its ‘Corkness’ – as a guiding principle for placemaking. What makes Cork, Cork? It’s the rich history, deep connection to the river, vibrant food and drink culture, storytelling and authentic engagement with its people. By tapping into these defining elements, placemaking efforts have become more meaningful, distinctive, and truly reflective of the city.
Author: Marta Popiolek
Credits to:
- Martha Halbert
- Stephen Scully
- Eleanor Lehane
- John Hayes
- Edith Roberts
- Cathal O’Boyle
- Kevin O’Connor
