Stockton Urban Park and Waterfront
Stockton, UK - Leisure
In collaboration with Stockton on Tees Borough Council.
Ryder provided an ambitious masterplan to transform Stockton high street and waterfront. To combat the high retail vacancy rate in Stockton, the Council made the decision to consolidate the retail offer within the town centre and demolish the Castlegate shopping centre to make way for a new park for events and leisure opportunities.
Addressing the shift in high street function, our placemaking focussed masterplan puts an emphasis on the user experience to draw people to the town centre, promoting local spending, economic growth and employment.
Barry Woodhouse
Councillor, Stockton on Tees Borough Council
Bringing culture into public spaces.
The masterplan builds on and supports Stockton’s growing reputation for events. Bespoke and flexible spaces will allow culture to be accessible and enjoyed by all, supported by local hospitality, leisure, and commercial vendors.
The park will create a green heart to the town centre, with artistic arches and gateways reflecting the historic burgage plots, shops and businesses that once flourished when Stockton was a port to the world.
Connecting the park with the waterfront, a new 50m wide land bridge is being created to cross Riverside Road. The road is being realigned and narrowed back to two lanes to create a wide waterfront landscape for activities. A huge amphitheatre is being formed off the land bridge using the River Tees as the backdrop to the stage, whilst giant slides keep the space in use at all times.
78%
biodiversity net gain
149
new trees planted
Pauline Beall
Councillor, Stockton on Tees Borough Council
Safe and accessible spaces.
From materials used in play areas to mitigating anti social behaviour through design, safety and accessibility for all user groups has been considered with every design decision.
Informed by the Council’s net zero targets and strategies, we developed a series of principles the project would aim to deliver on. From an analysis of the sites solar gain, shading and wind exposure to inform microclimates, and reusing demolition materials, Ryder’s sustainability team, the design team and contractors have designed solutions to meet the client’s ambitions.
Project team.
Ryder led the design process from the initial concept masterplan, including research, analysis, visioning, engagement, precedents studies, options, and visualisation, through to an agreed masterplan with design parameters and design code, receiving planning approval in 2023. We are now working as part of a multidisciplinary team on the delivery of the park and waterfront.
Mike Smith
Programme Delivery Manager, Stockton on Tees Borough Council
