Led by the UCD Centre for Irish Towns and supported by Creative Ireland, the project brings together local government, artists, students, and the wider community to reimagine how these often-overlooked urban spaces can help manage water sustainably, spark social connection, and celebrate local identity. Through a series of creative workshops and community events, Cascade is engaging the local community, with participation from people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

By transforming underused urban laneways into vibrant, water-sensitive spaces, Cascade not only addresses issues such as poor drainage and safety but also raises public awareness about the climate crisis. Cascade seeks to build capacity, change perceptions and empower communities to take climate action in ways that are beautiful, meaningful and grounded in everyday experience.

From story-sharing and interactive trails to co-design sessions and creative youth activities, Cascade invites people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to get involved and to contribute to local climate solutions.

These collaborations have generated a rich collection of community ideas that will inform a  co-designed masterplan for the future of the laneways incorporating art, nature-based water infrastructure and community driven solutions.

The main activities of the project include Storymapping trails across the town using signs, quotes and QR codes to share local voices, a youth-led exhibition during the Ballina Fringe Festival, co-design workshops where residents imagined new uses for laneways, and participation at the Eco Gathering, held as part of the Mary Robinson Climate and Nature Conference.

The team is preparing to install a laneway demonstrator, an installation showing how water features like downpipes, rain gardens, and public art can work together to make climate action both functional and beautiful.

This summer, the team will bring the demonstrator to life through a number of ‘making’ workshops,  and a public exhibition of the negotiated laneway plan will be displayed  during the Ballina Fringe Festival in October 2025.

Cascade is already having a real impact, making climate action issues feel local, creative and accessible. It’s fostered collaboration between residents, students, artists and decision makers, and offers a replicable model for towns across Ireland and beyond.

Students from St. Muredachs College in Ballina attended a workshop exploring ways to instil beauty and positive social activity into the lanes, and the wider impacts of climate change. Speaking about the workshop teacher Laurie Boland said, “The students learned about history, design, and climate all in one engaging workshop. It was a very enjoyable and engaging experience, and we were grateful for the opportunity to participate.”

Rebecca O’Malley from UCD Centre for Irish Towns and Project Coordinator told us; ‘The continued support from Creative Ireland has enabled the Cascade team to scale up their ambitions, build new partnerships and deliver a project that blends urban design, art and community action into a cohesive and impactful climate response’.

Cascade shows that climate action doesn’t need to be distant or abstract — it can start right outside your door, on the laneways of your own town.

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