One of the largest and most significant urban regeneration projects ever undertaken in the UK, the creation of London’s Olympic Park provided a setting for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, followed by a unique legacy of new communities, improved public transport and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, a new 110-hectare “green lung” for East London. Transforming the previously near-derelict and post-industrial site, threaded with the River Lea and a system of canals, the masterplan took its inspiration from the riverine landscape. Today, the park and waterways work together to enhance biodiversity and flood attenuation, as well as access to recreation and sports facilities for local communities.
Our involvement with London 2012 started during the “Candidate City” stage in 2003, two years before the city was awarded the honor of hosting the event and has continued for nearly a decade after the Games, to help ensure the stated goals were delivered as part of a successful legacy. Our contribution and leading role evolved over the years, and we have worked collaboratively with the Mayor’s office and the full range of consultant partners, organizations, developers and agencies responsible for the delivery of the Games as well as the wider regeneration masterplan for East London.
Preparation for the plans built on existing aspirations within the local boroughs and involved extensive public consultation. Their success is rooted in the close integration of multiple social, environmental, transport, planning and design issues into a clear and simple strategy.
We were also the Olympic Delivery Authority’s delivery partner, managing the program delivery of the Olympic Park infrastructure and venues for London 2012, including the provision of procurement and cost management services. In this capacity we worked closely with stakeholders to establish the overall program and budget to manage the design, procurement and delivery of the works.
London 2012 has set a new standard for the planning and delivery of this extraordinary global event. From the iconic new stadia, innovative use of temporary venues and upgrade of existing facilities to associated railways, roads, city beautification and traffic management, we provided in-depth and extensive expertise across the tournament program.
Client
London Development Agency
Services
- Master planning and urban design
- Environmental and resilience planning
- Landscape architecture
- Planning and economics
- Consulting