Ceannt Station Quarter

The Ceannt Station Quarter ( _ga. Ceathrú Staisiún Ceannt) is a planned urban quarter for the city of Galway, County Galway, Ireland. As the name suggests, the new district will be built around the city's rail station - Ceannt Station - which itself is going to undergo a major redevelopment as part of the project.

The Site

Currently, Ceannt Station takes up an area of 0.99 hectares; this is to be extended to around 2.17 hectares. However, the site takes up an area of 5.97 hectares; and the new 'urban quarter' will take up 3.80 hectares (64%) of this land, while the station takes up 2.17 hetares (36%).

Railway Station Redevelopment

Ceannt Station will undergo a major redevelopment, given it the most modern transport hub on the island of Ireland. The current two railway platforms will be upgraded to three to cope with the addition of commuter rail services in 2008/09. Bus services also form a major part of this, with 25 bus bays to be positioned next to the rail platforms. A taxi rank will also be located immediately outside the station; and car and bicycle parking will be located near to the station as well. The station will be designed in 'cathedral' style, with a fully glass roof providing natural light as well as heat in the winter months, and reducing it in summer.

The Urban Quarter

This takes up most (64%) of the site, and will be built on what is now derelict railway works. The area will be environmentally friendly and partially (if not fully) self-sufficient, using greywater systems and solar panels, as well as using architecture to provide both heat and light naturally to areas both outside and inside buildings.

The area will be built, outdoors, on various levels; which will maximise the use of space.

The site will be arranged in the follow way:

* Cultural Facility: 490 square metres.
* Community facility: 870 square metres.
* Creche: 1,340 square metres.
* Fitness centre 1,390 square metres.
* Public Park: 5,800 square metres.
* Public Square: 5,870 square metres.
* Private communal space: 6,540 square metres.
* Public Streets: 8,030 square metres.
* Hotel: 15,000 square metres.
* Commercial (offices): 19,830 square metres.
* Retail: 32,680 square metres.
* Residential (573 units): 49,520 square metres.
* Car Parking: (1,390 commercial, 500 public): 57,350 square metres.

In addition, existing buildings, particularly historical ones, will not be demolished, but rather redeveloped and made habitable. This is to preserve Galway's existing traditional architecture.

The quarter is a key link in linking Galway's three major bodies of water, Lough Corrib, Lough Atalia and Galway Bay (the harbour).

External links

* [http://www.cie.ie/projects/galway_station_redevelopment.asp CIÉ - Galway Station Redevelopment (July 2007)]
* [http://www.cie.ie/projects/open_days_boards.pdf CIÉ - "Open Days" Brochure (July 2007)]
* [http://www.cie.ie/projects/galway_station_update.asp CIÉ - Galway Station Update (March 2007)]
* [http://www.iarnrodeireann.ie/images/upload/news/239.pdf CIÉ - Information Booklet (March 2007)]
* [http://www.iarnrodeireann.ie/news_centre/general_news.asp?action=view&news_id=239 Iarnród Éireann - Press Release (March 2007)]