The Kildare Town Master Plan highlights essential sustainable development initiatives, categorised under five overarching themes representing best practices for achieving positive growth. They include:
•Connectivity, Sustainability and Accessibility.
•Deliver a balanced and appealing town centre that feels safe and usable.
•Realise Kildare Town’s potential as a cultural destination.
•Renew and celebrate Kildare Town's heritage and identity.
•Create a centre for opportunity and investment in a growing rural town.
Some of the key local opportunities identified in the plan include:
•Market Square
The traditional commercial and social centre of Kildare, under the plan would see the development of a flexible public space and pedestrian friendly experience as part of a renewed more usable town square with re balancing of pedestrian and car movement.
•Nugent Street Car Park
The plan proposes improvements to the Nugent Street car park's public area. These upgrades aim to improve access to Market Square and boost safety by increasing lighting, signage and landscaping.
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•Old Burgage Plots
The initial public realm plan for the plots takes advantage of the parking loss from Market Street while establishing a new landscaped pedestrian path from Bride Street to Market Square. Looking ahead, the plan also presents possibilities for the site's development for cultural or commercial purposes, drawing inspiration from the original burgage plots.
•Streetscape Regeneration
Initiate a 'Beautiful Street Initiative', encouraging the formation of Terrace/Street partners to carry out analysis and proposals for works to cumulatively improve their section of the streetscape including improvements to building facades, the reinstatement of historic features and the repair or enhancement of existing shop fronts.
•Cycle & Pedestrian Network Enhancement
Although Kildare is known for its walkability, it lacks adequate pedestrian amenities and cycling infrastructure. To address this, the plan proposes the creation of a Kildare Cycle Network Study. This study will pinpoint areas for improvement and outline a comprehensive cycling network to enhance Kildare's bicycle-friendliness.
Metropolitan Workshop Architecture and Urbanism, were commissioned by Kildare County Council to develop the urban design led plan. Jonny McKenna of Metropolitan Workshop said: "Building upon the enthusiasm displayed through several consultation events, Metropolitan Workshop are excited to see Kildare County Council publish the Kildare Town Renewal Plan. The plan focuses on developing a clear, more sustainable and better-connected and vibrant town centre with pedestrians and cyclist at its heart. Our approach is to enhance what is there and celebrate the multi-layered town centre through a series of unlocking moves. The strategy is supported by a series of “delivery projects”, the first of which will be the rejuvenation of the Market Square."
Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Kildare County Council said: "We very much welcome the launch of the Kildare Town Renewal Master Plan. The publication of a Masterplan for Kildare Town represents the culmination of the work and effort by Kildare County Council, in collaboration with a dedicated and collaborative community. This plan will help to guide the sustainable growth of this significant, heritage town."
