Supporting a uK SucceSS Story: The impacT of - Research Councils ...

PRESENT:
Regeneration
In preparation for thousands of people
descending on London for the Olympic and
Paralympic Games in 2012, the UK has to
prepare for an influx of tourism; look at how
to home thousands of athletes; and deliver
world leading sporting facilities. The London
2012 Games have bought investment that has
helped regenerate communities and this will
have a far reaching impact well beyond the
closing ceremony. The Games have provided
opportunities for universities to gain a unique
perspective on how the Olympic and Paralympic
Games effect social and physical regeneration
and measure the benefits of a socially unique
global event. From the sustainability of the
Olympic Village, to the UK’s future ability to
host ‘mega events’, UK universities are in a
unique position to identify the needs and
highlight the potential benefits of the Games,
ranging from infrastructure to employment.
Social regeneration
The University of East London, at the heart of the Olympic
Village, has conducted research about urban regeneration,
focusing on the economic, social and cultural development
of East London and the Thames Gateway. The London 2012
Games is physically transforming East London by improving
infrastructure, including the Olympic Park itself, which will
help drive renewal and regeneration in the area. The research
is also looking at the potential of the Olympic and Paralympic
Games to give positive social benefits in housing and health
and wellbeing. The Games have the opportunity to transform
London into a ‘world city’ by bringing East London into the
modern mainstream of economic and social life.
“The research is
also looking at
the potential of
the Olympic and
Paralympic Games
to give positive
social benefits in
housing and health
and wellbeing.”
While the University of East London has focused on local
regeneration needs, the University of Surrey has focused on the
personal and economic regeneration as a result of the Games
and how this will help inspire the skills of hard to employ people
in London and across the UK. The research has also looked
at the true and future value of volunteering, apprenticeships,
training and job creation schemes and the effects these will
have on social regeneration following London 2012.
The University of East London has partnered with Architectural
and Urban Technology Research Nucleus of the University of
São Paulo and Gama Filho University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,
to examine the impact of mega events on urban development
and social change. To date the project has run a series of
international seminars and papers fostering relationships
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SECTION FIVE : THE GAMES: past, present and future