Canada Water Masterplan

On a map, Canada Water's proximity to Canary Wharf and central London is striking, yet the area today feels geographically disconnected and strategically overlooked. The peninsula is however far from being a blank canvas. The physical legacy of the docks has been overlaid with a generous network of green spaces. Large, low-rise retail units, a leisure centre and extensive surface car parking characterise the area whilst an established local community occupies the immediate surroundings. The challenge here is to recognise and reconcile the strengths of the existing with the evident need for an upgraded infrastructure, new homes and opportunities. In addition, the area has been earmarked in local and regional planning policy for regeneration, targeted by the Mayor of London as an area ripe to deliver much-needed new housing.

Encompassing land use, urban design, landscape and public realm, routes and spaces, built form and infrastructure, the illustrative masterplan has grown and developed over a period of years. Our client, British Land, first began exploring options for Canada Water's future in 2013 when both the site and attendant aspirations were smaller. Subsequent changes in local and regional planning policy significantly raised the area's status with a progressively expanding site boundary giving us repeated opportunities to rethink and refine the design through a number of iterations.

Our proposals replace the 1980s Surrey Quays Shopping Centre with a legible network of streets, lanes and locally distinct public squares. This urban fabric will underpin a richness of uses, from offices, shops and cafes to leisure, community and public places as well as new homes for a range of ages, incomes and life stages. A new 'High Street' along Deal Porter's Way will link the two tube stations, and a new town square will provide a focus for community and social gathering. Just as important are the links into the surrounding green spaces, out to the former dock waterways and woods. There will be new connections to Southwark Park from the west and Russia Dock Woodland in the east, and beyond to the River, through a series of new open spaces, cycle paths and walkable routes, and community gardens and play spaces will contribute to wellbeing of both residents and visitors. The dockside character and riverside setting is celebrated - water is a key amenity. Biodiversity corridors are located to help species to flourish and allow for travel between parks in the wider area. As well as planning for new buildings, key existing buildings (the former printworks, dock offices) are being retained whilst the prioritisation of others will set the tone and design quality standards for the development as well as ensuring that the greater masterplan gains traction.