University of East London Homepage

UEL research says: London on-track to deliver sustainable Olympics

Friday 8 April 2011

Professor Alan Brimicombe

The first official impact report into preparations for a Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games has concluded that London 2012 is set to leave a sustainable legacy for the host city.

Researchers from the University of East London (UEL) assessed 56 key indicators including carbon emission, housing, employment and public transport as part of the pre-Games report for the Olympic Games Impact (OGI) study.  OGI is a study established by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to be carried out for each Host City of the Games.

Research Leader, Professor Alan Brimicombe, from the University of East London, said he was satisfied with the findings:  “Clearly this is an important document for the 2012 Games, UEL, and East London as a whole. We have undertaken thorough analysis of a large number factors ranging from crime and poverty to physical activity and education, with a view to assessing how preparations for the games may have impacted upon these.

“Based on the research carried out and evidence gathered, we are confident in reporting that preparations for London 2012 have already had a positive impact in a number of areas.

“While this is naturally pleasing, and the signs are promising, it is only part of the picture, and we will need to wait for the findings of the post-Games report due in 2015 to understand the full extent to which London 2012 has achieved its targets.”

Leaving a sustainable legacy was a key component of London’s successful bid for the Games in 2005, and the OGI study is an important tool for the IOC to understand the economic, environmental and socio-cultural impact of staging the Games, both pre and post –event.

David Stubbs,Head of Sustainability for the London 2012 Organising Committee, said: “I am delighted to see that this report by UEL recognises the strong emphasis we have given to sustainability and that this is already showing signs of positive benefits across the city.  We know it is still early days and many legacy effects will take years to work through but these preliminary indications are encouraging. ”

Included within the OGI pre-Games report are the following findings:

Construction of Olympic venues has had no negative impact on London’s air quality

London, especially eastern London, will have gained an improved rail transport infrastructure that will yield huge benefits through the (post-Games) legacy period

London and National commercial waste treatment has benefited from the innovative process for the treatment of hazardous wastes that are part of the Olympic developments

A discernable Games effect on crime prevention and reduction should reinforce the trend towards lower crime rates

The run up to the Games is having a positive impact on sporting participation and physical activity

To view the full report follow this link

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

Information for screenreader users:

For a general description of these pages and an explanation of how they should work with screenreading equipment please follow this link: Link to general description

For further information on this web site’s accessibility features please follow this link: Link to accessibility information