Designing for Canals
Design guidance to support the creation of great waterway places in England and Wales.
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We worked closely with the Canal & River Trust to produce this succinct, ambitious but practical guidance to enhance the design quality of design on the 2,000 miles of canals and towpaths, river navigations, docks and reservoirs across England and Wales that the Trust cares for and brings to life. Unlocking the potential of this network depends upon good waterside and waterspace planning, design and conservation as well as securing long-term support and funding for them to thrive.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government encourages the use of locally specific design policies and guidance, design codes and masterplanning to provide clear design expectations in order to improve the design quality for new development. In this context, we developed this design guide for local planning authorities, developers and local communities, and to inform production of design policies and guidance, design codes and masterplans to promote high quality waterfront design and the creation of great waterside places.
Waterways are places for nature, for movement, and for people. Achieving the appropriate balance between these needs is key to successful design for waterways and these three themes accordingly structure the whole guide. As a first step it is important to establish the current and desired balance between them – what the waterway provides today and what it should provide in the future.
Designing for Canals was published by the Canal & River Trust in 2026 and can be downloaded here.
Credits
- Client: Canal & River Trust
- Dates: Published 2026
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