Andrew Altman, Chief Executive of the Olympic Park Legacy Company on the Olympic Park vision.
Last month, we outlined plans to create a new part of London – the future Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Our Chair Margaret Ford, was joined by the Rt. Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport , Minister of Sport and Olympics Hugh Robertson, Mayor of London Boris Johnson and Bob Neil MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government at the BT Tower to talk about one of the most exciting developments in London’s history.
Community focused
The Legacy Company was set up well in advance of the 2012 Games, to capitalise on this extraordinary set of assets.
Inspired by London’s tradition for architecture and design, the Park will bring together the best of London in one place.
At its core will be the creation of family-focused neighbourhoods; making the Park a top visitor destination; ensuring the venues provide a lasting sporting legacy; the creation of commercial and job opportunities and helping to stitch together the area’s communities through new transport connections.
Five neighbourhoods, with much-needed family homes will be at the heart of this new piece of London. Responding to market, community and public demand; the Legacy Company has emphasised family homes with the aim of establishing a network of facilities, including new schools, nurseries, health centres, faith and community spaces to support them.
Jobs
Business, creativity and innovation will be running themes with two main employment centres – the Broadcast and Press Centres and Stratford City which will include Europe’s largest urban shopping centre opening in 2011. The venues along with the open spaces will host international sporting, cultural and commercial attractions, making the Park a leading visitor destination and helping to provide a between 8,000 to 10,000 jobs over the long-term. The Park will be integrated with the surrounding areas in terms of new roads and footbridges, as well as opportunities for job training, small businesses and social enterprises. We believe regeneration depends on better access to jobs and training, better housing choice and balanced, stable communities. The legacy plans for the Olympic Park will deliver all of these and more.
This is one of the boldest urban transformations in the world – building on the best of London to become one of the city’s great places.