Strolling through MacCurtain Street and the city centre, I felt the vibrancy of a place where its 800-year-old history meets modern city life. The River Lee is a remarkable natural asset that is central to shaping the city’s character and opportunities for growth by dedicating the riverfront for public space. Picture: Monika JainBecause the riverfront includes generous public space, the water can rise and recede naturally while people safely observe the phenomenon. Times Square in New York and the Strand in London, once dominated by traffic are now vibrant public spaces. Small interventions, such as converting a single parking space into a parklet, which Cork does through its parklet programme, can gradually reshape how public space is used.

Source: Irish Examiner March 13, 2026 01:00 UTC