The success of our cities has become central to national economies and culture. They are drivers of investment, tourism and migration – the young, the educated, the creative and the rich are being drawn to live and work in urban areas once again.

As we have seen with Aarhus, Marseille and Rotterdam, the transformation of mid level non-capitals is providing space for new ideas, enterprise, investment and even building types. But how can growth and expansion provide an economy and wellbeing whilst also retaining a distinctive identity?

Where better to explore this than in Cork, Ireland’s great maritime city on the Atlantic rim of Europe. Once the staging post for European emigration to the US, it now sees people and investment flow in the other direction.