First look: Eden Dock urban oasis launches at Canary Wharf

The Eden Project-led biodiversity scheme features floating forests and aquatic habitats. 

The first-of-its-kind development has opened with a new living artwork, Nature Rising, featuring more than 20 living figures made fro ligustrum, a flowering shrub, which are spread across the area. 

Enhancements include new green spaces and widespread planting under and around the dockside itself, floating gardens and greened boardwalks. The idea is to provide vital habitats for a number of species which are struggling to survive in the dense built environment of Canary Wharf, including 

As biodiversity, and time spent in nature, are understood to significantly boost wellbeing and mental health, it is also hoped the project will have a beneficial effect on people living and working in the area, encouraging them to spend more time outside, increasing the likelihood of engaging with active travel and opportunities to exercise. 

‘The iconic Canary Wharf is a great location in which to ground the lightning of innovation around enhancing biodiversity in an archetypal urban landscape. Shobi’s leadership should be applauded and there has never been a more important time to enhance people’s connection with nature,’ said Sir Tim Smit, KBE, Co-Founder of the Eden Project.

‘The Eden Project is very proud to have been invited to collaborate with CWG on this project. It is our belief that the varied surfaces, textures and environments found at Eden Dock will encourage a greater diversity of life than much of the open farmland in this country,’ he continued. ‘Moreover, the attention to life and beauty and the softer edges that characterise the natural worlds will directly influence the happiness and sense of belonging of all who work, live and visit here.’

Take a closer look at Eden Wharf: