Plan envisions green city in the heart of Ireland

Athlone Green City Concept

A new green city in the heart of Ireland: that's the vision from those behind the ambitious Athlone 2040 plan, which aims to transform the town into a city of some 50,000 people in fifteen years.

The driving forces behind the project, proposed by developers Ballymore, are the projected population increases in the State in the coming years and the need both for balanced regional growth and to tackle the sustainability and green transition challenges ahead.

Funding for the project is envisaged as coming from both private and public sources, including national and EU backing. The Technological University of the Shannon in Athlone is seen as the fulcrum of the plan with the local campus envisaged as becoming a hotbed of green skills, innovation and technology.

It is hoped the expanded TUS and an enhanced research and development (R&D) focus, as well as the availability of affordable housing and a high quality of life in a green city, would act as a magnet for further foreign direct investment to Athlone.

Student numbers are earmarked for growth from 6,000 currently to 25,000, representing a significant element of the predicted population growth for Athlone. An eco-friendly student village accommodating 5,000 students is also proposed.

Ballymore says it has been in advanced discussions with TUS, and the chairperson of the governing body, Josephine Feehily, is among the steering group established to progress the concept.

The developers have clarified that their proposal is for a population in Athlone of 50,000 by 2040, providing the basis for further growth in the future, up to 100,000 people.

The longer-term population growth is premised on the delivery of 20,000 homes and new neighbourhoods in a significantly widened town centre.

There is a profound emphasis on sustainability and a green transition in the proposal.

It is envisaged the Athlone of the future could be powered by 90% renewable energy, making it a flagship hub for the national energy transition programme, while all new housing units would be low-carbon.

The city would be surrounded by 5,000 hectares of rewilded wetlands, callows, and rewetted bogs. The city's water supply is also to be based on a natural solutions to manage stormwater and rain water. The overall proposal is also benchmarked against the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

The proposal also includes some 100 kilometres of dedicated pedestrian and cycleways, driverless electric buses in designated lanes, and the integration of the River Shannon into public transport.

The improved local transport links, and the concentrated urban area, is part of the 15-minute city concept, whereby services are available within a reasonable distance for those walking, on bicycles or using public transport.

High speed rail links are also envisaged through Athlone, based primarily on double tracking of parts of the existing Dublin to Galway rail line.

The historic underutilisation of the riverfront in Athlone town centre is also to be reversed, with the area refocused for retail, culture and leisure activities.

Sports, arts and healthcare facilities are also at the core of the masterplan – as befits a growing city, with increased population.