LIMERICK will have to build up rather than out in order to meet the challenges facing the city and the region over the next thirty years.
That’s the view of University of Limerick Economics Professor Stephen Kinsella who believes that people will have to change their mindset about the use of land and consider new ways of developing the city as a regional hub.
He was addressing an event organised by Network Ireland Limerick, the forum for women in business to exchange business ideas and increase their business contacts, at the Savoy Hotel last Wednesday night.
Professor Kinsella posed some questions about the choices that are now being made and their potential implications on how we will live in the future.
He examined the impact that significant population and demographic changes will have on how and where we live in 2050 when the Irish population is expected to reach 6.7 million. There are now 600,000 people aged over 60 but by 2050, it is projected that 1.6 million will be over 65 years of age as a result of increased life expectancy and an ageing demographic.
Limerick’s ability to cope with such an increase in population means that the city will have to build up rather than out. Its status as Ireland’s first lighthouse city and the funding secured to enable it to become a smart positive energy city is crucial and presents significant opportunities.
Professor Kinsella believes that this project, combined with plans to re-imagine Georgian Limerick, are steps in the right direction.
“This vision for Living Georgian Limerick is a blueprint that will hopefully be rolled out to other areas around the city.”
“It is also necessary for Limerick’s third level institutions and the city to develop deeper connections. The universities will contribute greatly to the success of Limerick’s future. Don’t underestimate the value of higher education in the public sector,” he said.
Network Limerick President Valerie Murphy described Professor Kinsella’s address as “a fascinating and thought-provoking insight into all the factors that are at play that could influence the success of our city.
“It is clear that we need to be mindful of the policies that are being enforced today and how they will impact future generations.”
