Cultureway to be set up in each community in the city

A project in Cork city which aims to get people to reduce the number of short car journeys that they take has been awarded €750,000.

The Cultureways Project is being led by Cork City Council in partnership with the Glucksman Gallery, Cork Midsummer Festival, Sapience, and the Sustainability Institute at UCC. It will explore how creativity can influence everyday travel habits and support climate action.Funding came through the Creative Ireland Climate Action Fund III (2026-2029). Transport contributes 30% of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions, with the highest consternation occurring in suburban areas where many journeys are short enough for walking, cycling, or other sustainable modes of transport. The project will work with 3 suburban communities that share a common challenge - a high concentration of everyday journeys under 2km.

A dedicated Cultureway will be established within each community. It will provide a space for a series of artistic commissions that are backed by evidence-based behavioural science approaches to support lasting change.

Artists will work with local people in familiar neighbourhood settings, including community halls, sports clubs, and shopping centres, using creative practice to explore everyday travel choices and the routes that connect destinations within communities and the wider city.

The effect of different approaches will be measured by the project’s partner Sapience throughout the lifetime of the project.

This article was produced with the support of the LDRS funded by Coimisiún na Meán.