Beyond the Masterplan: Frideswide Square (2015) vs. Callaghan Square (2025) – A Decade of Learning
Ever thought about how much Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Placemaking, and approaches to remaking places have evolved in just ten years? The lessons are critical for every developer, local authority, and Placemaker shaping our cities today.
As an Urban Designer, Planner, and Landscape Architect who's seen a fair few projects from concept to completion, I'm continually struck by how our thinking shifts. What felt truly progressive a decade ago, while still valuable, might look quite different through today's lens. This hit home recently when reflecting on two significant city-centre projects that The Urbanists have been involved with, both busy movement spaces near major train stations, both striving for public plazas, cycling, and buses, and both grappling with considerable private car use.
The first, Frideswide Square in Oxford, completed its major transformation in 2015. It was a bold move for its time, transforming a complex, traffic-dominated junction into a more harmonious, shared space. The design introduced three new roundabouts, replacing old traffic lights, to manage significant volumes of cars, lorries, buses, pedestrians, and cyclists. The prevailing idea was "shared space," subtly blurring the lines between vehicles and people. It aimed for a constant, slower flow of traffic, alongside new places for people to sit and pause.
It was undoubtedly a step forward for Oxford, moving beyond the "dark ages of traffic lights and municipal street furniture".
Fast forward to 2025, and we're heavily involved in Cardiff's Callaghan Square, being delivered as part of Transport for Wales’ (TfW) CrossRail Phase 1, a new generation of civic space, also right by the main station, connecting the city centre to Cardiff Bay. Here, the ambition has evolved.While it's still a busy civic space, the design now aims to fundamentally shift the focus to multi-modal transport, pedestrian priority, and true placemaking, addressing climate change head-on as well as new policy frameworks related to tree loss mitigation, biodiversity benefits, and green infrastructure.
And this is where the real lessons lie:
1. Segregation Over Shared Space (Sometimes):
At Frideswide, the shared space model was progressive, pushing drivers to be more aware. In Callaghan Square, we're taking a more decisive step: segregated active travel routes - partly a necessity as Callaghan Square is being designed to include light rail mass transit. This means a dedicated, protected space for cyclists and pedestrians, clearly separated from main traffic and tram-trains. Why the shift? It’s a pragmatic response to increasing cycle volumes and a heightened understanding of perceived safety. For many, physical segregation means genuine comfort and encourages more active travel, especially in dense urban environments. It also maximizes capacity in this case.
2. Greening as Core Infrastructure, Not Afterthought:
If we were designing Frideswide Square today, it would be significantly greener. Back then, planting was part of the amenity. In Callaghan Square, we're taking a far more progressive approach. It's not just about softening edges; it's about embedding cooling tree canopy cover, integrating robust Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) for climate resilience and water management, and incorporating rich biodiversity-focused amenity planting. This elevates greening from an aesthetic choice to vital infrastructure that delivers tangible environmental and wellbeing benefits. This directly addresses climate change and enhances the very air people breathe.
3. The True Cost of Complexity vs. The Power of Integrated Design:
Both projects are inherently complex movement spaces. Frideswide aimed to resolve traffic flow. Callaghan Square, however, explicitly acknowledges this complexity and uses integrated design – Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, and Planning – from the outset to shape its solutions. This integrated approach ensures that segregated routes and ambitious green infrastructure plans are not just visionary but also viable, buildable, and strategically positioned for success, contributing to a truly sustainable outcome. It's about getting it right from day one, avoiding the piecemeal approach that often leads to compromises.
The Bigger Picture: Learning to Truly Prioritise People and Planet
A decade ago, we were breaking new ground by challenging vehicle dominance. Today, the conversation has moved rapidly. It's no longer just about traffic flow; it’s about climate adaptation, biodiversity, and creating places that actively foster wellbeing. Projects like Callaghan Square represent the cutting edge of this evolution, where the blueprint prioritises the human experience and ecological resilience, knowing that this ultimately unlocks the most significant and sustainable value.
The lessons from projects like Frideswide and Callaghan show us that urban design is a living, breathing discipline. What we learn today must inform the places we create tomorrow, ensuring our cities aren't just functional, but truly thriving for generations to come.
Are you navigating complex urban development challenges? Let's discuss how our integrated landscape, urban design, and planning expertise, informed by the latest insights in placemaking and green infrastructure, can unlock the full potential of your next project.
References:
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[2.6] "Landscape Architecture | The Urbanists". https://theurbanists.net/landscape-architecture
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[2.8] "Plans revealed for a new tramway between Cardiff Central and Cardiff Bay". https://news.tfw.wales/news/plans-revealed-for-a-new-tramway-between-cardiff-central-and-cardiff-bay
