3.0 Analysis and Key Challenges

Our economic competitiveness is the source of our prosperity which in turn provides the basis for our high quality of life. Creating a vital cycle of increasing economic competitiveness and improving quality of life is critical to long-term sustainability.

As illustrated opposite, both the competitive export clusters and local goods and services providers rely on strong economic foundations such as human resources, research & development, financing, infrastructure, business climate, and quality of life, to develop and attract the knowledge, skills, innovation, and entrepreneurship successful economies require. Successful businesses produce the wealth and jobs necessary to sustain and enhance these economic foundations. Strong foundations are essential to maintaining our economy.

To deliver this competitive environment it is essential to achieve a critical mass. This relates to the size and concentration of population that enables a range of services and facilities to be supported. This in turn can attract and support higher levels of economic activity and improved quality of life. Business will then align itself closely with local strengths, facilities, talents and skills. In summary Sligo needs to deliver the critical mass through targeted interventions. These interventions should deliver employment opportunities, population increases and create a thriving urban centre which has cultural and recreational opportunities in an environment that is sustainable.

3.1 Priority Areas to be Addressed

The Forfas report “Implementing the NSS: Gateway Investment Priorities Study” August 2006 set out the short and longterm investment priorities for Sligo as a Gateway City.

Short-term investment priorities

• Maximising the development potential of the centre of Sligo, including brownfield sites such as the former Docks area through targeted urban renewal and urban enhancement initiatives, investment in pedestrianisation and amenity improvements
• Strategic urban distributor routes to open up access by road to large tracts of new housing, commercial and employment related lands and to accelerate urban development including the Eastern and Western distributor Routes, the associated Eastern Bridge and the reservation of an outer bypass route. This will improve connectivity between businesses on a north-south axis.
• Provision of regional sports and recreation facilities and enhanced amenities for a growing population in the Gateway through the proposed development of Cleveragh Regional Park and sports complex on Council-owned lands situated on the fringe of Sligo.
• Continued development of a cultural/entertainment quarter, building on the natural and cultural attractions in the centre of Sligo.
• Building on its recent involvement in NIBERT, there is a need to strengthen the emerging research and innovation capacity of the Institute Technology, to strengthen linkages with existing enterprise in the region, and linkages to other third-level institutes such as the university sector.

Longer-term investment priorities

• The importance of co-ordination between Local Authorities and the relevant departments and Government agencies in providing social infrastructure in Sligo such as schools, community facilities and amenities, as an integral part of the process of developing large new residential areas.
• The development of primary road corridors to link the Gateways and hinterlands.
• Western road links, to form part of a Gateway corridor linking Letterkenny, Sligo, Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford and the full development of the Western Rail Corridor.
• Provision of environmental infrastructure to accommodate the needs of future population growth and associated business.
• East-to-West road connectivity to improve access throughout the Border region, and between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

The following additional short term investment priorities have been identified:

• Implement the spatial development strategy outlined in the SEDP 2004-2010 to support the population growth to achieve the critical mass necessary for Gateway development.
• Open up significant new land banks and address zoning issues to support the delivery of more private housing.
• Improve circulation and significantly enhance the physical appearance of the Gateway.
• Promote the delivery of improved infrastructure and connectivity benefiting both external access and internal circulation.
• Develop employment and enterprise opportunities.
• Maintain and enhance the quality of life in Sligo through the provision of enhanced cultural, recreational and tourist facilities.
• Support sustainable economic growth by tackling congestion and unreliability, providing improved access by public transport, walking and cycling. This will deliver enhanced competitiveness and wider use of green transport facilities.
• Development of the City of Sligo brand.

- Vital Cycle of Economic Growth