Ballincollig Urban Redevelopment

By project PROXIMITIES

Published on 08 March 2025

Ireland

Southern

Cork

About this good practice

Ballincollig, a peripheral urban area of Cork City, has undergone significant redevelopment to better align with the 15-minute city concept, ensuring essential services are within a short walk or bike ride. Affordable housing schemes have been strategically located to provide easier access to amenities, public transport, and recreation, reducing car dependency and promoting sustainability.

Historically centered around the former Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig was prioritised for redevelopment due to its strategic location, population growth, and potential for sustainable urban expansion. The barracks’ closure created a key opportunity for brownfield redevelopment, transforming the area into a mixed-use hub while preserving its historical character. The repurposed site now includes 37 retail units, 49 offices, and 278 residential units, alongside enhancements to the town centre and Barrack Square, integrating commercial, residential, and recreational spaces.

Ballincollig Regional Park, developed on the former Royal Gunpowder Mills site, provides green space, sports pitches, playgrounds, and walking trails, improving quality of life. The town’s commitment to environmental enhancement and community engagement was recognised when it won Ireland’s Tidiest Town and Tidiest Large Urban Centre in the 2024 SuperValu TidyTowns Awards.

Future plans include a light rail system linking Ballincollig to Cork City, reinforcing sustainable transport and the 15-minute city model.

Expert opinion

The good practice illustrates an integrated urban redevelopment approach in Ballincollig, located near Cork, Ireland, aligned with the 15-minute city model. This approach focuses on ensuring that services are accessible by foot or bike and that affordable housing is strategically located near amenities, reducing car dependency. The transformation of the former Murphy Barracks into a mixed-use hub—with retail, offices, and housing—preserved the site’s heritage while boosting urban vitality. Ballincollig Regional Park, developed on the site of a historic gunpowder mill, adds green space, sports facilities, and walking trails. The town won Ireland’s Tidiest Town and Tidiest Large Urban Centre awards in 2024, reflecting strong community engagement and environmental efforts. Future plans include a light rail link to Cork City. This good practice highlights a path forward for European small and medium-sized towns to promote an integrated urban redevelopment approach aligned with 15-minute city principles—emphasising walkability, mixed-use development, green spaces, and sports facilities.

Arnault Morisson

Works at Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform

Resources needed

Ballincollig’s redevelopment needs investment in light rail, walking, cycling, and housing. Resources should support health, education, retail, and recreation while enhancing green and blue infrastructure. Coordination among stakeholders is key to a sustainable, walkable community.

Evidence of success

The success of Ballincollig’s redevelopment is evident in its 2024 SuperValu TidyTowns awards for Ireland’s Tidiest Town and Tidiest Large Urban Centre, reflecting a commitment to environmental enhancement, strong community engagement and pride of place. The repurposed Murphy Barracks now hosts retail, offices, and housing, enhancing the town centre. Ballincollig Regional Park provides green space, sports pitches, playgrounds, and trails.

Potential for learning or transfer

The redevelopment of Ballincollig offers valuable lessons in enhancing peripheral urban areas through integrated planning. The repurposing of Murphy Barracks into a mixed-use hub demonstrates how brownfield sites can balance residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, supporting proximity economy and livable communities. Plans for a light rail link to Cork City highlight the role of sustainable mobility in reducing car dependency and promoting compact growth.

The development of Ballincollig Regional Park underscores the importance of green infrastructure in urban resilience. Strong community engagement and pride of place have been key to Ballincollig's success, as reflected in its recognition as Ireland’s Tidiest Town 2024, showcasing the power of local involvement in regeneration. These strategies provide transferable insights into fostering accessible services, vibrant public spaces, and sustainable connections in peripheral urban areas.