Sustain
Legacy projects
The lasting impression of a legacy project
No other projects demonstrate the transformation of a city greater than sports infrastructure.
The Olympics Games is a real life experiment of how cities can be showcased and leave that all important lasting impression. By virtue of being the world’s best host, the city is either on trial or on parade. And long before that city is awarded there is a bid for that honor. What is promised? What is left behind? This carries a hefty responsibility that will impact communities for many years to come.
The London 2012 Olympic vision is a shining example of that experiment. A case for investment and for future development and how it is now being lived. It now thrives from those ‘future’ projects that aim to keep the spirit of community pride and prosperity alive. From the repurposing of its football stadium to an influx of residential, retail and leisure facilities, it is a location which thrives economically with sport facilities as the star attraction.
When we contemplate the delivery of these projects it is the execution, development and operationalization of the asset that needs to be considered. What is the ‘whole life’ of the asset and what will it become? This can be anything from a masterplan to a city scheme. And this must be considered at bid stage or at early involvement with the local authorities and partners with future sustainability as the key objective.
Capturing the learnings of good practice and innovation is vital. What is shared becomes a methodology for future schemes in future cities and holds the potential for true, global collaboration.
Looking to the future consider that Los Angeles Olympics as an example has an overall goal to be carbon net zero by 2050. Its city authorities will need to consider where capital is going to be invested and how this impacts its supply chain and its communities. Learning lessons from across the globe will be key to its success. We can also call upon our own experience in the delivery of the London 2012 Olympic Games and the experience of its evolving transformation and thriving community.
Case study
We acted for the London Development Agency on the CPO to assemble the 850 acres needed for the 2012 Games and their regeneration legacy. The CPO included over 2,700 legal interests, involving the relocation of 440 residents, 2 traveler sites, 200+ businesses, 3 bus depots, rail facilities, canal, rail and river crossings and numerous statutory undertakers’ facilities. 400+ objections were lodged, 83 parties attended the 3 month public inquiry, and 320 objectors received written responses. We also advised the LDA on changes to the scheme and on changes to the law to facilitate the delivery of the Games and their legacy.
