Hidden for over 70 years, Cardiff’s dock feeder canal has been brought back into the light and is a central feature of a transformational urban regeneration project: ‘The Canal Quarter’. By reconnecting the city with this historic waterway, this innovative public realm project has created a unique and special venue, demonstrating the broad social, environmental, and economic benefits that high quality public space and integrated green–blue infrastructure can bring to urban areas.

Commissioned by Cardiff Council, this first phase forms part of a wider 11 hectare masterplan to create a new district within the city with a strong sense of place. A network of pedestrian focused streets and spaces support new opportunities for homes, offices and retail, while helping re-establish the canal as a key feature of the city centre.

Originally built in 1834 to supply the Bute Docks, the canal was largely culverted by 1949 and replaced with a large roadway. In recent years, the surrounding commercial areas have suffered from low footfall, vacant units and declining economic activity.

In 2020, Cardiff Council appointed AtkinsRéalis to design this first phase. The brief was to literally ‘lift the lid’ on the culverted dock feeder canal to reveal and celebrate a 70 metre long stretch of water, creating high quality public realm that would attract people and strengthen local businesses. The canal offered a rare opportunity to design with regenerative principles, inspired by natural water cycles. Surface water is captured and cleaned through lush rain gardens and bioretention areas before flowing into the canal. This is particularly vital, as Cardiff faces the highest flood risk of any UK city and is in the top 10 for most at risk globally.

Close collaboration with Cardiff Council’s SuDS Approving Body ensured the proposals met stringent legislative requirements, maximising the diversion of water from the combined sewer network, lowering flood and pollution risk, as well as supporting nation-wide regeneration and sustainability ambitions. The SuDS design is expected to capture approximately 3.9 million litres of water annually, saving 4,600 kWh of energy that would otherwise be used for sewage pumping – thus preventing 750 kg of CO₂ emissions.

To communicate the SuDS functionality without using signage, playful design interventions highlight the site’s ‘water story’. Bespoke stainless steel outflow spouts visibly convey runoff into rain gardens or the canal, forming temporary water features during rain events. At the northern end, a bespoke waterfall marks the point where the canal emerges from its culvert, oxygenating the water and animating the space with movement and sound.

Since opening in 2024, visitor numbers have increased significantly, with people drawn to the canal as a place to pause, relax and connect. The design provides varied spatial experiences -including refuge, prospect and intrigue – known to support mental wellbeing.

Refuge is created through the lowered terraced seating areas, set within generous planting, creating a degree of disconnection from the hustle and bustle of the nearby high street as well as obscuring views of passing traffic to the south.

Prospect is created thanks to the variety of lookout points throughout the space, from upper street levels to cantilevered structures and framed views.

Intrigue is created by the rich visual complexity delivered within the space, the variation of hard and soft edges to the canal, breaking up the linear nature of the culvert.  The shapes, textures and colours of planting, as well as seasonal variations, plus the numerous small details within the seating, paving and lighting, make it an endlessly interesting place to be within.

All these features add to the positive feel of the space, increasing dwell time. The lighting scheme also makes the space welcoming during the evening, creating an active zone beyond the daylight hours.  This has been of value particularly during the darker times of year, where the canopied stage space has hosted many social and artistic events.

Planting was selected for climate resilience, year round interest and wildlife value, while six floating wetland islands now enhance canal ecology. These provide habitat for aquatic species and notably have been used by River Otters – an unusual sight in an urban environment.

The project has already had a positive economic impact: dwell time and footfall have risen, local businesses are seeing increased revenue, and several new venues have opened, including the ‘Dock Feeder’ bar. The nearby shopping centre has also announced new cultural and entertainment facilities, providing Cardiff Council with an ever-building business case for future phases of The Canal Quarter, with the potential to daylight a further 400m of the canal being at the heart of future proposals.

Client: Cardiff Council

Lead Designer: AtkinsRéalis

Principal Contractor: Knights Brown

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