Olympic Park wins award for accessible design
08 Feb 2010
The Olympic Park’s ‘Inclusive Design Strategy’ was recognised for the ‘Award for Equality and Diversity’ by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) at an awards ceremony last week.
The Olympic Park after the Games
The strategy, published by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) in
September 2008, sets out how the Olympic Park will become the most accessible
and inclusive park in London. The Park will feature wide pathways with smooth
surfaces and seating and resting places at regular intervals, and set a new UK benchmark
for wheelchair spaces and amenity seating. There will also be gentle gradients
giving all users greater freedom of movement, and clear and easily understood
signage.
The judges’ comments stated: ‘The Olympic Delivery Authority has turned traditional design principles on their heads. By taking a holistic view of people’s needs, it is using the power of the Games to change the way that people think about designing places… There is a strong indication that these principles will influence future sports facilities design.’
ODA Head of Design Jerome Frost said: ‘We want to ensure that people of all cultures, faiths and ages and disabled people find the Olympic Park welcoming and easy to use in 2012.
‘After the Games, the most accessible sporting venues in London and an inclusive public park will be left for the local community. Aside from the physical legacy, we hope we can set a precedent for the industry and that future developments will meet the same high inclusivity standards.’
