Canary Wharf Group (CWG) unveils Eden Dock – a first-of-its-kind, urban oasis in the heart of the Wharf, created in partnership with world-leading charity the Eden Project. The green haven will have a significant positive impact on biodiversity, creating more opportunities for people to connect with nature.
Cities face unprecedented challenges in balancing growth while protecting the environment. By 2050, 70% of the world’s population is expected to live in cities.Over the last five decades wildlife populations have fallen by 69%. If biodiversity loss is to be tackled, cities need to be part of the solution. Eden Dock is a blueprint for biodiversity and habitat gain for cities around the world.
Eden Dock will enhance the way people experience the Wharf, with verdant new public spaces and extensive planting both under and around the dock’s waters. As well as enhancing the area’s biodiversity, Eden Dock will boost the wellbeing of those who work, live and visit the neighbourhood, providing access to beautiful waterside spaces and nature like never before. People will be able to take advantage of the floating gardens and boardwalks and enjoy the habitats that are now home to new wading birds, waterfowl and songbirds, as well as bees, eels and species of plants rarely seen before in London.
To mark the launch, a living artwork, Nature Rising, with over 20 living figures made of ligustrum – a flowering shrub – will be dotted around the dock. The figures show nature and people living together in harmony, reflecting how Eden Dock weaves nature into its urban surroundings through ecological innovation. The figures will become part of CWG’s permanent public art collection.
New research on the benefits of spending time outdoors in green and blue spaces reveals:
– 73% of office workers prefer to work in a location near water and green spaces
– Over two in three office workers (69%) find creative and innovative ideas come easier if they’ve been around green spaces or water
– 99% of people say engaging with nature helps them in some way, with 65% feeling more relaxed after spending time outside
– Three in four (73%) people actively seek out green spaces or water to relax.
Shobi Khan, CEO, CWG, said: “Sustainability is part of CWG’s DNA. We’ve delivered over 11 million sq ft of sustainably certified space, purchased 100% of our electricity from renewable sources since 2012, and contributed zero waste to landfill since 2009.
“Three years ago, we partnered with world-leading charity the Eden Project to help address bio diversity loss in cities through the greening of Canary Wharf. Eden Dock is the first of its kind, a best-in-practice global example of how we can support biodiversity gain in cities and pioneer places where nature and people can both thrive. It’s about creating a resilient environment that supports the well-being of our community and the environment.
“The unveiling of Eden Dock today is another step in the evolution of Canary Wharf 3.0 and our vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood offering workspaces, retail, homes, leisure and amenities, and access to nature, all in one location.”