View of the Callaghan Square / Crossrail Phase 1 project

Callaghan Square / Crossrail Phase 1

Re-shifting focus to multi-modal transport, pedestrian priority and placemaking to address climate change.

Project information

Client

Cardiff Council

Partners

Transport for Wales (TfW), Burroughs, Mott Macdonald

Location

Cardiff

The Challenge

Callaghan Square represents a legacy civic space originally conceived to better connect the City with Cardiff Bay. Originally set out to provide highway priority, the new masterplan looks to re-shift the focus to multi-modal transport, pedestrian priority and placemaking to address climate change.

Our Role

Working in partnership with Cardiff Council and TfW, The Urbanists provided design and placemaking advice, community engagement, and landscape design alongside a varied team including tram specialists, transport engineers, lighting, SuDS and utility engineers resulting in a positive and well received public engagement event and ultimately contractor award.

The Outcome

The Urbanists provided public realm design, coordination and public engagement support over a two year period resulting in a successful public consultation event and ultimately contractor award . We are continuing into Detailed Design working closely with Cardiff Council and TfW with a start on site in 2026.

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Three Urbanists colleagues reviewing a large plan outdoors

Let's work
together

We want to hear about your project.

First thoughts, or ready to go. Any scale, any time.

Get in touch

Urbanists colleagues reviewing a large plan outdoors

Let's work
together

We want to hear about your project.

First thoughts, or ready to go. Any scale, any time.

Get in touch

Urbanists colleagues reviewing a large plan outdoors

We passionately believe
that what we do matters.

We are motivated by making a positive and real difference, seeing our ideas, our advice, and our efforts come to life, and to have a positive impact on people and the environment.

We passionately believe
that what we do matters.

We are motivated by making a positive and real difference, seeing our ideas, our advice, and our efforts come to life, and to have a positive impact on people and the environment.

Contact

Cardiff

Westgate House,
Womanby Street,
Cardiff,
CF10 1BR

Bristol

1.13 Temple Studios
Lower Approach Road
Bristol,
BS1 6QA

Manchester

Linley House,
Dickinson Street,
Manchester,
M1 4LF

Registered in England and Wales. No :8333903

Copyright © 2026 The Urbanists. All rights reserved.

Contact

Cardiff

Westgate House,
Womanby Street,
Cardiff,
CF10 1BR

Bristol

1.13 Temple Studios
Lower Approach Road
Bristol,
BS1 6QA

Manchester

Linley House,
Dickinson Street,
Manchester,
M1 4LF

Registered in England and Wales. No :8333903

Copyright © 2026 The Urbanists. All rights reserved.

Contact

Cardiff

Westgate House,
Womanby Street,
Cardiff,
CF10 1BR

Bristol

1.13 Temple Studios
Lower Approach Road
Bristol,
BS1 6QA

Manchester

Linley House,
Dickinson Street,
Manchester,
M1 4LF

Registered in England and Wales. No :8333903

Copyright © 2026 The Urbanists. All rights reserved.