OLYMPIC LEGACY

Olympic Legacy

Olympic Legacy

The holding of Olympic Games presents both opportunities and problems for every host city in economic, social and environmental aspects, as well as in governance and Metropolitan Planning. In general, the Olympic Games are expected to have several positive impacts, although not yet clearly appreciated. They are expected to contribute to the increase of visitors, international investments, international conferences and cultural events, etc. Olympic Games could also serve as a catalyst to accelerate programming and the realization of several projects, which are parts of major programmes (www.eurometrex.org). The increased pressures for improving the organizational capacity may also contribute to overcoming existing obstacles in coordination among various agencies and stakeholders.

Hackney Wick is located within the Wick Ward in the far east of the borough and on the edge of the planned 2012 Olympic Park. Hackney Wick has a proud history at the heart of east Londons industrial development. The southeastern section of Hackney Wick has traditionally been designated as an industrial zone that housed a number of factories, a bus depot and the former Hackney greyhound stadium (www.designforlondon.gov.uk). This industrial zone now falls within the 2012 Olympic Park and will house the Media Centre. The central residential area within the Wick has undergone a series of regeneration activities from the prefabricated homes developed post World War II to the construction and then demolition of the tower blocks that previously existed back in 1987. With the loss of Arena Field Mabley Green provides the remaining open green space that exists within the Lower Super Output Area and forms part of the Hackney Marshes development project (communitymaps.london21.org).

1. Economic Issues

According to research by the Foundation of Economic and Industrial research (October 2008), in addition to the massive investment being made in sports facilities and basic infrastructures, the 2012 Games, are expected to ...