London 2012 Landscape and Public Realm

Olympic Delivery Authority

Designed by Hargreaves Associates, LDA Design and HOK.

We also reviewed this scheme on 12 March 2010.

The comments below relate to the following planning applications:

08/90310/FULODA - North Central Parklands
08/90311/FULODA - South Central Parklands
08/90312/FULODA - Basketball Landscape
08/90313/FULODA - Handball Landscape
08/90314/FULODA - PDZ4 (Part) Landscape
08/90315/AODODA - PDZ1
08/90316/AODODA - PDZ5 (Part) and PDZ6 (Part)
08/90317/AODODA - Stadium Island (PDZ3a)

We continue to support the overall strategy towards the creation of the most significant parkland development in London for two centuries. We are encouraged by the detailed attention that has been given to most aspects of the proposal. Broadly speaking we applaud the planting and detailed landscape design. We do however continue to have a concern about interface and integration of the Park in relation to individual Games buildings and the relationship to sites with undetermined futures post 2012.

We understand that until design strategies are completed by LOCOG and the LMF teams it is difficult for the design team and client to be precise about what might transpire. We make this comment therefore in the hope and expectation that there will be integrated approaches to the Park by the respective clients to clarify what is expected and how it will be implemented. This should provide the basis for a further iteration of Park design looking at how it will expand, change and contract in Transition and Legacy modes.  

As part of this general consideration it may be necessary to apply planning conditions that address the maintenance and management of concourse surfacing through the near to longer term. Without effective management regimes concourse surfaces could be compromised through the different phases of Park use. Planning conditions may also be required to ensure satisfactory transitions in surfacing at bridge and concourse junctions. We also support the intention to condition outstanding detailed elements relating to lighting and street furniture.  

Stadium island landscape

Further to our previous comments on the stadium island outlined in our letter to ODA PDT in July 08 we continue to support the legible concept of a stadium island but we find it disappointing that key aspects of the stadium’s immediate setting remain unresolved.

As the “Spectator Villages” will form an important part of the experience of the stadium island it is incumbent on the ODA together with LOCOG to establish a clear strategy for their overall design procurement. We maintain the view that this programme should be procured separately through a design competition involving young designers. As in the rest of the Park, planning conditions may also be needed to ensure satisfactory transitions in surfacing at bridge and concourse junctions. We note that a clear strategy and proposition for how the macadam surfaces will be adapted after Games is needed.