A €2 billion plan for the expansion and development of Waterford city is to be launched today.
A seven-year plan, Waterford 2014will focus on commercial redevelopment while also planning to make the city the cultural capital of the southeast.
It includes proposals for both public and private investment and is being launched by Waterford City Council with the support of local industry.
It includes the development of new "quarters" focusing on the maritime/historic aspects of the waterfront and including a Viking museum, reflecting the large archaeological find at Woodstown in recent years.
The plan envisages significant residential and commercial regeneration of the quays. A new pedestrian bridge across the Suir will also be built.
Another "quarter" will include local government services while the redevelopment of former industrial sites will aim to attract inward investment.
Waterford 2014 also earmarks funding for sports and leisure amenities and recreation facilities, reflecting the plan's focus on quality of life issues.
It is designed to mirror the proposed Waterford City Development Plan 2008-2014.
According to a report from city manager Conn Murray, the city centre "needs to assert itself as the commercial and cultural capital of the region and the economic, social and physical core of the city".
Accessibility and traffic management are a significant part of the city development plan, which notes the ongoing building of the city bypass, new crossing of the Suir and its link to the M9 motorway, which is to be completed by 2010.
The draft development plan includes a housing strategy, a neighbourhood development strategy and a land use and transportation strategy which envisages a major shift to public transport in the city centre.
This will involve a commitment from private and public bus and taxi companies to the development of alternatives to the private car. One key area already singled out for redevelopment is the Lisduggan shopping centre.