Canal Quarter
An ambitious masterplan for a major redevelopment in Cardiff City Centre, which includes reopening a historic waterway.
Project information
Client
Cardiff City Council
Partners
JLL
Location
Cardiff
The Challenge
Recognising the area’s potential for transformative change for the city, Cardiff Council sought a unified framework masterplan and vision to align the strategic aspirations of the council with other key stakeholders. A core challenge was balancing immediate development opportunities with a highly complex overhaul of the City’s transport planning arrangements to improve active travel routes through the centre.
Our Role
Our Urban Design and Landscape team took a holistic view of the City Centre to establish a distinct, forward-looking role for this district. Central to our approach was demonstrating the potential that could be realised from reopening the subterranean canal without disrupting urban transit. Collaborating closely with transport, highways, and drainage engineers, we developed a commercially focused Masterplan and Vision document that could be adopted by both public and private stakeholders.
The Outcome
In May 2021, the Council’s Cabinet formally endorsed our proposals, officially establishing the Canal Quarter. Since the masterplan and vision for Cardiff’s Canal Quarter were endorsed, the aspiration has successfully transitioned from strategic policy into major physical infrastructure and economic regeneration. The first phase officially opened in 2024, featuring sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) that divert roughly 3,900 m³ of surface water annually from local sewers. Interventions following on from the scheme have secured multiple national awards, including the ICE Wales Bill Ward Sustainability Award and the Welsh Susdrain Spotlight Award.
The objectives of the vision have been successful and provided a commercial catalyst and attracted investment, evidenced by new commercial reinvestment in surrounding venues and retail areas, including plans to convert nearby retail assets into dedicated leisure and entertainment space.
