The development of the London 2012 Olympic Park presents an opportunity to engage students throughout the UK in the topic of regeneration. O.space, a new initiative managed by the and delivered by architecture and built environment centres, will help teachers to engage with the topic of regeneration through events, exhibitions and a website. O.space will showcase the design and architecture of the London 2012 Olympic Park to make young people more aware of changes to their area.
Dervis Konuralp meets students from the Petchey Academy at London Fields Lido © CABE/Tom Wipperman
What’s happened so far?
O.space has already kicked off its programme of activity with two events called 'How Places Work'.
'How Places Work' is a programme of visits to buildings and public spaces. Led by inspiring people with deep knowledge of buildings and spaces, the visits introduce young people to places rich in architecture and design, revealing how they came to be designed and what makes these places special.
The visits took place in London and the north west. Students from Notre Dame Catholic College visited Everton Football Club’s stadium, Goodison Park, and considered how regeneration in the area and the presence of the stadium affect the local community.
The students worked with built environment experts to consider the physical and social changes to the area that would arise through relocation of the stadium, drawing parallels between neighbourhood concerns in Everton and those in the area surrounding the London 2012 Olympic Park.
Students from Notre Dame Catholic College, Liverpool, learning about regeneration at Everton football club's Goodison Park stadium © John Davidson
Students from Petchey Academy in Hackney visited London Fields Lido with paralympian Dervis Konuralp, who spoke about his experience of training there. Discussing the potential impacts of the refurbished swimming pool for Hackney, the students considered how the facilities produced for the 2012 games would benefit east London.
Culture secretary Andy Burnham attended the Everton visit, and recognised the potential for O.space to get young people involved in the design of their environment.
He said: 'O.space is a great way of capturing the imagination of young people and helping them to shape future regeneration projects inspired by 2012. Decisions about our built environment shouldn’t simply be the preserve of the few – young people should help design the future.'
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