8. Planning and
Development
8.6
Summary and Conclusions
The
principal centres of population are also the most important
locations for economic activity. The DEDs around these centres
generally have characteristics that are strongly urban and,
in effect, represent extensions of the urban areas.
The
largest centre is Kilkenny with a population in 1996, including
its environs, approaching 20,000. Kilkenny serves a wide rural
hinterland, largely of good agricultural land, and thus has
range of services and facilities significantly greater then
its population would indicate. It is a heritage centre of
national significance, reflected in the extent and quality
of its historic buildings and streetscapes. This heritage
is the foundation of a developing tourism business.
Carlow is the next largest centre and is an important manufacturing
town, with an Institute of Technology. It also serves a substantial
rural hinterland. Carlow has a current population in excess
of 15,000.
Kilkenny and Carlow are the two principal centres to be served
by the proposed new N9/N10 route.
The
largest of the other centres is Athy, which is designated
as a Secondary Development Centre in the Strategic Planning
Guidelines for the Greater Dublin Area. In accordance with
this designation, Athy will require much improved links to
the Dublin Metropolitan Area in the future. If the proposed
N9/N10 route cannot provide the road component of this link,
alternative provision will have to be made to service Athy.
The
rural part of the study area is characterised by relatively
strong agricultural areas, into which the influence of the
towns is extending, through urban generated housing. The northern
part of the study area has a stronger manufacturing base and
is more accessible to Dublin for employment, although it has
a higher level of unemployment. The southern part is, in contrast,
more rural, although it contains Kilkenny city, the economy
of which is more focused on services than manufacturing.
The rural areas with the weaker socio-economic profile are
generally those in upland and/or more remote areas, but the
extent of these in the study area is not significant.
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