The trailblazing Cobh nature-based solutions pilot scheme has been shortlisted twice at The National Property Awards 2024, Ireland’s leading property awards that champion excellence in the industry.

Great to see the project shortlisted for ‘social impact’ and ‘sustainability’ initiative of the year, testament to the positive impact it is having on the environment and local community.

We were appointed as design engineers on the pioneering project, which is the first of its kind in Ireland. It was led by Cork County Council in collaboration with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and launched at East Beach in Cobh last year.

The project features a temporary demonstrator raingarden to test and monitor the quality of rainwater run-off and bio-retention soils used for water filtration. Rainwater run-off is collected, enters planters filled with engineered soils and different types of planting, and is filtered and cleaned before it goes back into Cork harbour, with the project monitoring how the quality of water is improved after this filtration.

This innovative approach to surface water management not only reduces flood risk, but also enhances water quality, fosters biodiversity, amenity and improves the built environment.

The project has involved extensive community engagement from the start, with local school children embracing the opportunity to help their town build a more resilient approach to climate change, and the local community gathering together for the launch.

We worked with Wave Particle as consultation consultant on the project. [Image credit: Wave Particle; video credit: Cork County Council via YouTube]