Mayor calls on design for Olympic legacy wow factor

The Olympic Park Regeneration Steering Group is calling on the world’s ‘most creative minds’ for help in making London’s Olympic Park a success once the 2012 Games have ended.

At the official handover to London as the Olympic city last weekend, London Mayor Boris Johnson (pictured) launched London Calling – a ‘prospectus setting out the ambitions for the Olym pic Park’, and asking global investors for submiss ions for its development that will create a ‘wow factor’.

Speaking to Design Week from Beijing, the Mayor’s Olym – pics advisor Neale Coleman says of design’s part in London Calling, ‘One objective for the legacy is to make best use of temporary structures in a more innovative way, with the view to it still being there afterwards.’

He adds, ‘Signage ideas capture my imagination. We’re looking at London street furn iture and how it’s used – and a lot of money will be spent on toilets, too.’

Although Coleman declines to specify pitching details of the multi-million-pound contracts, he says, ‘I can give the assurance that everyone will be considered. This is a different sort of process, but everyone will get a proper response.’

The timescale for the submi – ssion of ideas to commission is expected to be relatively short. ‘We’re looking to accelerate the whole process. Time is press ing and, hopefully, we can make some decisions over the next three or four months,’ he says.

Harvey McGrath, chairman of the London Development Agency, which will deliver the London Calling programme, is urging innovators, entrepren – eurs and investors to submit proposals that centre on ‘an event, an iconic development or an attraction’, to complement and enhance the ambitions for what will be Europe’s largest urban regen eration project, a state ment says.

Johnson plans to implement ideas garnered through London Calling via the Legacy Advisory Board, expected to launch next month. It will commission proposals.

A spokesman for the LDA confirms that Johnson, Cole – man and Tom Russell – head of the Olympic Legacy Directorate – will sit on the board. Other mayoral advisors, local govern – ment leaders and private sector entrepreneurs will make up the panel judging submissions.

A LEGACY FOR LONDON
• The Olympic Park Regeneration Steering Group oversees work on the Olympic Park and is chaired by the London Mayor
• Entrepreneurs, innovators and investors should go to www.2012londoncalling.co.uk to submit their ideas
• Entries will be evaluated by a panel including mayoral advisors, local government leaders and private sector entrepreneurs
• Those who submit the best ideas will be engaged by the London Development Agency to work up their plans for incorporation into the emerging legacy masterplan