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Opportunity Study Approach – Communities of Place
Published on 10 December 2020
Ireland
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The identification of key opportunities for places with a shared sense of identity is an important part of this approach where potential for development and promotion of vibrant tourism, heritage and recreation destinations is maximised. Studies were carried out in 3 of the geographic clusters for Local Flavours-Blackwater Valley, Waterford Estuary & the Copper Coast with extensive stakeholder input and consultation including one-to-one, sponsor and agency liaison meetings and an online survey. This enabled small settlements explore opportunities collectively and along with tourism providers, community & voluntary groups, cultural and heritage establishments they identified potential priorities for each of the clusters.
•Promote active citizenship & participation through collaboration, networking & resource-sharing in planning and development
•Enhance social, economic & environmental wellbeing & resilience through investment in smart, placemaking strategies
•Build scale and add value to tourism offerings in Waterford City, Dungarvan & Tramore
•Respect the character, heritage and traditions that defines & showcases a sense of place
The studies resulted in different development pillars identified in each area:
Copper Coast/Blackwater:advocacy & representation; product development; placemaking; environmental management & marketing and promotion
The Estuary:visitor experience development planning, product development, placemaking, wayfinding, built, natural & cultural env
•Promote active citizenship & participation through collaboration, networking & resource-sharing in planning and development
•Enhance social, economic & environmental wellbeing & resilience through investment in smart, placemaking strategies
•Build scale and add value to tourism offerings in Waterford City, Dungarvan & Tramore
•Respect the character, heritage and traditions that defines & showcases a sense of place
The studies resulted in different development pillars identified in each area:
Copper Coast/Blackwater:advocacy & representation; product development; placemaking; environmental management & marketing and promotion
The Estuary:visitor experience development planning, product development, placemaking, wayfinding, built, natural & cultural env
Resources needed
Funding received from different funding mechanisms e.g €10,000 from Fisheries Local Action Group and €10,000 from Town Village Renewal Funding that was co-funded by Waterford City & County Council. LEADER has also provided the necessary resources to provide the economic development training.
Evidence of success
The Research Opportunity Studies progressed alongside Economic Development Zone Training Programmes funded by Waterford LEADER encouraging communities to work together towards priority projects. This approach engaged 8 settlements in the Blackwater Valley area where the Blackwater River was a common key asset. The study led to WCCC carrying out Village Health Checks where more specific actions were identified and €400,000 of funding was secured for public realm, amenity and heritage projects.
Potential for learning or transfer
The approach is proving beneficial in enabling groups to come together to explore opportunities collectively in areas of Waterford that struggle to fully exploit their cultural and heritage potential owing to their location or proximity to the main urban areas of Waterford City, Tramore and Dungarvan. The joined up approach enables more strategic planning and sustainable placemaking strategies to be undertaken rather than previous silo-working of communities and agencies/tourism providers.
The Opportunity Study approaches have helped prioritise key actions that would have significant impact for each geographic area and now provides a focus for the communities and relevant agencies to develop proposals and project concepts for the attention of relevant central government funding mechanisms.
The Opportunity Study approaches have helped prioritise key actions that would have significant impact for each geographic area and now provides a focus for the communities and relevant agencies to develop proposals and project concepts for the attention of relevant central government funding mechanisms.