Eden Dock

Eden Dock, a 1.55-hectare site in Canary Wharf, is a prime example of nature-led placemaking, marking a significant step in the area's evolution from a business district to a mixed-use neighbourhood. Set within the historic London Docklands, the project spans a 325-metre waterway between Jubilee Plaza and Newfoundland. Previously, the dock was inaccessible, unused, and an ecological desert. The project aimed to transform the dock into a publicly accessible, ecologically rich and climate resilient space, supporting the wider transformation of Canary Wharf into a connected nature recovery network. The design strategy reconnects people with the dock through a series of sloped ‘shores’, accessible terraces and timber bleacher seating that descend to water level for the first time. A new north–south footbridge follows natural desire lines, linking local landmarks. Central to the scheme is the floating forest, a modular, biodiverse system of floating gardens inspired by biomimicry. These structures integrate native trees, marginal planting and aquatic habitat into the public realm, enhancing biodiversity and creating immersive experiences. Eden Dock delivers measurable ecological gains, including a 55% biodiversity net gain facilitated by 770m² of floating islands and 42 new trees. Planting includes 70–80 resilient, native species, providing year-round habitat for pollinators, birds and aquatic life. Temporary fencing protects young plants from grazing geese, while bespoke “duck doors” allow safe access for chicks and amphibians. Monitoring to date has identified increases in invertebrate populations and a greater diversity of fish and bird species. Collectively, these measures deliver a 100% uplift in predicted ecosystem service value, including carbon sequestration, a 10% reduction in local urban heat, and long-term improvements to air and water quality. A timber-canopied platform hosts events, performances, school visits and educational sessions. Natural play elements such as “mini worlds,” sandboxes and pond-dipping areas encourage discovery and engagement for children. Interpretive signage, underwater cameras and a marine monitoring station support citizen science and environmental learning. A dedicated open-water swimming area offers direct access to the dock. Sustainable materials were used throughout, including recycled steel, FSC-certified timber and low-carbon concrete. The floating structure avoids concrete piles, reducing construction impact and enabling the entire park to adapt to changing water levels. As the landscape matures, we will continue to monitor ecological outcomes, using AI-based tools to measure changes in biomass and biodiversity over time. Construction was completed in summer 2024, with the dock opening to the public in September and the footbridge to follow in May 2025. The launch featured Nature Rising, a living artwork of 20 sculpted Ligustrum shrubs symbolising harmony between people and nature, now part of Canary Wharf’s permanent public art collection. Early indicators of success include a 7% increase in footfall and a 2.4% rise in local retail sales compared to the previous year, showing Eden Dock’s contribution to wellbeing and vitality. Eden Dock establishes a replicable model for reimagining underused urban infrastructure. It demonstrates how landscape-led design can deliver measurable environmental benefits, support inclusive communities, and create adaptive spaces that respond to climate and ecological emergencies.