I was recently contacted by Heather Hilburn, a Principal Design Advisor and Project Director for the London 2012 Olympic venues and public realm. She informed me about the London Olympic Park’s regeneration and sustainability story, an impressive demonstration of innovative urban design and forward thinking:
In her article written for the Chinese Architectural Journal titled "The London 2012 Olympic Park and Venues: A Place of Regeneration and Benchmark for Sustainability", Hilburn explains that, “The vision for building the Olympic Park is primarily one of regeneration of this part of East London, to provide jobs, mixed-use development, social housing as well as luxury residential dwellings, and a public park that is equal to other Royal Parks in London.”
In the “Commitment to Sustainable Regeneration” report, David Higgins, Chief Executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority, and Manny Lewis, Chief Executive Officer of the London Development Agency, share that: “The London 2012 Games provide us with a once in a lifetime opportunity to regenerate the Lower Lea Valley providing new homes, work space, schools, health and other community facilities - and of course world class sporting facilities. We want the Olympic Park to provide the benchmark for the regeneration of the Lea Valley with high quality, well-planned and comprehensive development.”
The report continues to explain how, “Regeneration efforts in the Lower Lea Valley are aimed at addressing a complex mix of environmental degradation, high levels of social and economic deprivation and a long history of physical dereliction and neglect…The engagement of local people and wider stakeholders is an essential part of the regeneration process.” Seeing the London 2012 Olympic Park as a having higher-order purpose beyond the games, is a resourceful way to activate urban development, engage citizens, and prevent Olympic areas from becoming “white elephants” as has happened at previous Olympic sites.
Hilburn’s article identifies additional aspects of the London 2012 Olympic Park plan, including becoming the “greenest” of all the Olympic Games, as well as being the "Most Sustainable Games Ever". The Park is structured so everyone can access the facilities on foot, bicycle or public transport and have been strategically crafted so the major venues can be scaled-down or dismantled after the Games and used for alternative purposes.
In the London 2012 Pre-Games Sustainability Report, titled “Delivering Change”, the Game’s sustainability themes are defined as follows:
• Climate change: “To deliver a low carbon Games and showcase how we are adapting to a world increasingly affected by climate change.”
• Waste: “To deliver a zero waste Games, through exemplary resource management practices and by promoting long-term behavioral change.”
• Biodiversity: “To conserve biodiversity, create new urban green spaces and bring people closer to nature through sport and culture.”
• Inclusion: “To host the most inclusive Games to date by promoting access, celebrating diversity and facilitating the physical, economic and social regeneration of the Lower Lea Valley and surrounding communities.”
• Healthy living: “To inspire people across the UK to take up sport and develop more active, healthy and sustainable lifestyles.”
Andrew Altman, CEO of the London Legacy Development Corporation, states that, “Legacy plans are more advanced than any previous Olympic host city. We are on track to build a new piece of the city in east London and over the next 20 years deliver an exciting mix of new homes, jobs and training, along with sporting, cultural and entertainment opportunities. London has set the benchmark for using the Games as a catalyst for regeneration.”
The London 2012 Olympic Park’s environmentally friendly, economically savvy, and developmentally innovative design has set a new global standard on the development and use of Olympic spaces.