As a region, the Thames Estuary is home to over 2.6 million people (and growing). With economic shifts away from the ports, maritime, industrial and fishing sectors, the area has been grappling with finding new roles to play and the need for infrastructure to support them.

Effective regeneration always requires a combination of ambition, vision, local knowledge and commitment to realising the long-term benefits. Increasingly, planned development mustn’t just address immediate needs, like new housing, roads, health or energy infrastructure – it must be carefully aligned to the evolving climate risks a region faces. This is imperative across a coastal region like the Thames Estuary.

As experts in sustainable urban and regional regeneration, Arup has wide experience of developing effective and coordinated responses to an area’s needs and long-term potential. Our work in the Estuary spans more than two decades of planning and delivery from offshore wind, sustainable water management and flood resilience to the development of the Thames Estuary 2050 vision, and major infrastructure projects like Thames Tideway Tunnel, Silvertown Tunnel and Blackfriars Pier.

We recognise the potential of the Thames Estuary and continue to work with a range of public and private sector partners to deliver sustainable growth and investment to enable these varied communities to thrive.

Contact us to shape the future of the Thames Estuary

Start a conversation with our team to:

  • Identify opportunities and address local challenges – gain insight into how your development can respond to community needs, economic shifts, and climate risks.
  • Plan and deliver sustainable, cost-effective strategies – explore delivery approaches that balance efficiency, affordability, and long-term environmental and social benefits.
  • Navigate policies and regulations with confidence – understand how planning frameworks and policy changes will influence your project’s success and ensure it aligns with the region’s evolving priorities.

How we can help

We are working with clients across the whole region on many different priorities

  1. 1

    Develop a local vision and masterplan

    We help clients to put placemaking and community at the heart of development efforts, from initial community engagement through implementation.

  2. 2

    Deliver climate resilience

    Responding to climate challenges within the Estuary and adjacent coastal areas with sustainable and adaptive infrastructure which integrates asset care with natural flood management.

  3. 3

    Unlock residential development

    The region is prioritising fair growth and access to affordable housing is a central part of that commitment – it’s one we support wholeheartedly.

  4. 4

    Improve transport connections

    Great connectivity drives up employment opportunity and strengthens communities. Areas like the Thames Estuary will benefit from effective growth corridor plans.

  5. 5

    Develop local economies and skills

    Regeneration really changes lives when investment also drives upskilling and education outcomes across an area.

  6. 6

    Reimagine former industrial sites

    Derelict areas, once centres of industry, manufacturing or fossil fuel energy, can be reimagined, finding a new role in the community.

  7. 7

    Embrace renewable energy opportunities

    Coastal areas have great potential to act as hubs for the diverse elements of the renewable energy transition, from green hydrogen production to solar, off/on-shore wind production.

Projects

Learn more about our Thames Estuary projects:

Eden Dock Activation project

Arup provided multidisciplinary engineering services for the Eden Dock Activation project, supporting the design and delivery of floating terraces, ecology islands, and a pedestrian bridge to enhance connectivity and biodiversity in Canary Wharf. This work helped transform the area into a vibrant, accessible urban space aligned with the “15-minute city” concept, integrating nature-based solutions and public realm improvements.

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Visualisation of a bridge over the dock at Canary Wharf in London

Lower Darent Riverside Strategy

Arup developed a comprehensive placemaking and flood defense strategy for the Lower Darent Riverside, integrating nature-based solutions to enhance climate resilience and sustainable development. Working closely with local stakeholders, Arup created a planning toolkit and design principles that support long-term flood protection, community connectivity, and environmental regeneration.

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A river with a city in the background.

Blackfriars Pier

Appointed by Thames Water, Arup designed the new pier and its access structures. The project integrates all technical requirements such as passenger access and circulation, customer experience, marine environment and location. Our approach allowed to achieve technical excellence without compromising on design, shaping an elegant structure in line with the architectural vision.

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Blackfriars Pier