Bringing a buried canal back to life

What does a landscape architect actually do?

“My role involves collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to integrate landscape architecture into urban planning and development. That means our designs are not only good to look at, but sustainable and functional too.

It’s given me some amazing opportunities across a really varied range of landscapes, locations and scales: enormous masterplans in Morocco and Mecca, critical infrastructure and transport projects, parks and playgrounds, streets and public spaces. Right now I’m working on large highway schemes in rural Scotland, including the A9 through the Cairngorms National Park, and on sustainable drainage (SuDS) projects across the country. Well‑designed SuDS don’t just prevent flooding and pollution. They create opportunities for better places and for nature.

What was the Canal Quarter, and what changed for Cardiff?

“The Canal Quarter is an urban realm project on the eastern side of Cardiff’s busy city centre, built around uncovering the city’s historic dock feeder canal. It had been covered by a large road for decades. In 2020, Cardiff Council commissioned AtkinsRéalis as lead designers to de‑culvert the canal and create a sustainably designed place for people and nature.

“Phase 1 was completed in May 2024, and it has completely transformed the area. It’s now a welcoming space at all times of day. It’s become a lunchtime rest spot, somewhere for friends and families to meet, and a destination for community events.

It’s also designed to deal with climate change. The planting captures and filters rainwater and diverts it away from the sewers, which reduces flooding and pollution. Floating wetlands and biodiverse planting provide habitat for wildlife, and we’ve seen bees, butterflies, fish and even otters in the area.
We’ve seen bees, butterflies, fish and even otters.

Who made it happen?

It’s been a success because of real collaboration. Landscape architects worked closely with drainage, civil, structural, lighting and electrical engineers, all from AtkinsRéalis, overseen by our own project managers, who worked directly with the designers, the contractor and the client. Alongside us were the principal contractor, Knights Brown, specialist subcontractors and an ambitious, enthusiastic client team at Cardiff Council. Everyone brought their own expertise to deliver a lot of benefits in a constrained and complex urban location.

How has a project like this shaped your career?

“The Canal Quarter has been the highlight of my career so far. I was lead designer from concept through to delivery, and being trusted with that role has been a privilege. It brought together everything I enjoy about my job: solving complex problems while delivering benefits for people and nature.

I’ve learned a huge amount, especially about water‑sensitive design and the practical realities of delivering on site. Because of the interest in the project, I’ve hosted walking tours and presented it at conferences and webinars, which means I’ve met a wide range of people and got to showcase good landscape design. It’s been shortlisted for 10 national design awards and has won two so far. Going to the ceremonies has been great fun too.

The Canal Quarter has been the highlight of my career so far.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I’m a big fan of electronic music and I DJ as a hobby: UK bass, garage, dubstep, techno, house and drum and bass. At university I co‑hosted underground radio shows, and I’ve played in clubs and at private parties. I love creating an atmosphere, reading the crowd and seeing how shared spaces can bring people together in one collective moment.

Shape the places people love

Ben’s work shows how one team can bring engineering, nature and community together in a single place. If you want variety, a team that backs you, and work you can point to, find out why people join Buildings & Places.