This report records the findings of the Department of Rural and Community Development’s (DRCD) Town Centre Living Initiative (TCLI) using primary data received directly from the 6 pilot towns and participants. The Town Centre Living Initiative (TCLI) is a pilot scheme managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) where up to €100k has been made available to participating towns to develop innovative proposals that encourage the reuse of vacant and underused buildings in town centres for living.
Six towns were selected to take part in the pilot scheme:
• Ballinrobe, Co Mayo
• Banagher, Co Offaly
• Boyle, Co Roscommon
• Callan, Co Kilkenny
• Cappoquin, Co Waterford
• Castleblayney, Co Monaghan
The TCLI was announced in October 2018 by the then Minister for Rural and Community Development, Mr Michael Ring TD. The towns were selected to provide a geographical spread, a mix of size and character, and on the basis that the pilot scheme could build on efforts already underway to address challenges. This report documented the activities and findings of each pilot project in the six towns and a collaborative workshop involving representatives from the TCLI pilot towns and other stakeholders held in September 2019. The report also analyses and synthesizes the findings, identifying issues arising and suggestions for action areas. The report informs the developing Town Centre First Policy, as a key action of the 2020 Programme for Government.
This report was prepared by Space Engagers, a research and co-design collective that explores how towns and cities can be made more resilient and sustainable. The report was researched and authored by Philip Crowe, Orla Murphy and Madeleine Leyes.
Access the full text of the report here.