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Ireland's infrastructure development should focus on the
eight principal city regions, according to a study launched
last week.
The report - 'Infrastructure for an Island Population
of 8 million' - estimates that the population of the island
will reach 8 million in the 2030s, compared with six-and-a-quarter
million today. It projects that, by then, 90pc of the island
population will be living in the eight principal City Regions
comprising an area of about 65km from the centre of each city.
Jointly prepared by Engineers
Ireland, the Irish Academy of Engineering (IAE)
and commissioned by InterTradeIreland,
the study outlines the intense international competition for
the knowledge-based industry of the future. This industry,
which will provide the island with a high standard of living,
will only locate in regions with a high level of infrastructure.
Ireland's infrastructure at present is well below that of
its international competitors. World class infrastructure
can best be provided in a cost-efficient manner with an urbanised
population (towns with at least 1500 people) and in cities
with high density.
According to the study, on the island of Ireland, this can
best be achieved by concentrating on eight City Regions with
90pc of the island's population. The performance of the City
Regions will determine the overall competitiveness of the
island. They must each be of top international standard appropriate
to their scale. All infrastructure development undertaken
in the interim should have this goal in view.
On being presented with the study, An Taoiseach Brian Cowen
TD welcomed the initiative by the engineering profession in
undertaking this valuable independent evidence-based research
to determine the infrastructural requirements of the island
of Ireland in the decades ahead.
The report will be of considerable assistance to Government
in determining how an internationally competitive island economy
can be progressed in a sustainable manner into the future.
Director General of Engineers Ireland, John Power acknowledged
the contribution made by all the organisations involved and
the importance of the study.
"It is clear that there is still an acute infrastructure
deficit in Ireland, but this study provides a framework that
can help the Government to direct funds to where maximum return
on investment will be provided."
President of the Irish Academy of Engineering, Michael Hayden
added - "The report offers an independent assessment of how
the limited capital resources of the island can be applied
to the infrastructure required to yield the greatest competitiveness
benefits over the coming decades."
Download the report - Click
Here
Download the report summary - Click
Here
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