The London 2012 Olympics exploded to life in July when Danny Boyle presented his ‘Isle of Wonder’ to the watching world. The opening sequence portrayed the metamorphosis of Britain from a pastoral landscape to a global machine of industry. Similarly the Olympic Park is the result of great changes and large amounts of industry. So whilst sports fans have been enjoying the national pursuit of gold medals the real victory has been to complete this immense project on time. But looking beyond the games the next test for London is to deliver a Legacy. The motto of the game is to ‘Inspire a Generation’. This transcends sport into the built environment. What will be the lasting legacy of London 2012? The L Word From October 2012 the park will undergo an 18-month transformation, setting the foundation for the future development of the Queen Elizabeth II Olympic Park, and the wider 20 year masterplan for the Lower Lea Valley. The London Legacy Development Corporation, who will oversee the creation of the long term vision, suggests it will deliver ‘lush parklands and waterways,
new neighbourhoods and world class sports and entertainment venues. It will draw on the unique character, energy and heritage of London’s East End and the best elements of London living, to create a brand new space for residents and visitors’. Already you can see some of the results of this with the landscapes that surround the stadiums. Will London deliver on its claims for a lasting landscape legacy? In Athens urban renewal has failed and the legacy equates to 21 out of 22 venues abandoned. In Sydney 2000, a proper legacy plan was not implemented until as late as 2006 and only now is this beginning to create results. London put a long-term plan in place hence the Olympic Park, as it currently stands, looks like a transitional landscape. In this respect Barcelona is a positive template which London can look to emulate. Barcelona has rallied since the ’92 games and is the inspiration for London in terms of how the Games can lead to vast urban regeneration and open up new areas of the city. City residents gained a new seafront, even a new beach, from what was an industrial port area cut off from the city by urban infrastructure. The London Olympic 42
|
Desi gn Exc h an ge