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London 2012; Video: How London laid the groundwork for sustainable sporting architecture (CNBC on YouTube)

Governments hosting high-profile sporting events like the Olympics and FIFA World Cup are repeatedly criticized for building massive, unsustainable venues, often abandoned in the years after the big event. In 2012, London aimed to change that narrative, praised at the time by climate activists for paving the way for sustainable architecture. Nearly a decade later, how are these venues being used and repurposed? What can other host countries learn from 2012? CNBC’s Tom Chitty reports from London.

Disclosure: CNBC parent NBCUniversal owns NBC Sports and NBC Olympics. NBC Olympics is the U.S. broadcast rights holder to all Summer and Winter Games through 2032.

 

Source: CNBC International on YouTube

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London 2012; Timelapse: Installation of the Carpenters Land Bridge

 

Carpenters Land Bridge connecting East Bank to International Quarter London was installed on Christmas Day – a brand new pedestrian and cycle bridge on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Installation of the 66 metre-long, 7.2 metre-wide and 350-ton steel Carpenters Land Bridge began at 3.30am on Christmas morning and was completed by 3.30pm that afternoon.

The bridge is a key part of the infrastructure for East Bank, the new £1.1 billion culture and education district being created on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The new connection will link museums, theatres, music studios and UAL’s London College of Fashion with the new business district at International Quarter London.

GRAHAM’s team took advantage of the rail network Christmas shutdown to rotate the bridge into position and minimise disruption to three Network Rail lines, two DLR lines and Carpenters Road.

The bridge was manoeuvred into place using self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs) rather than a traditional crane to reduce the risk of cancellation caused by potential high winds.  

The bridge deck was transported on the SPMTs along Carpenters Road in a jacked-up position circa 8-9 metres above ground level. It was supported on the SPMTs in a cantilever arrangement with a large counterweight of 450 tonnes to balance the bridge during installation. The bridge was finally rotated into position across the road and rail lines and lowered into position on top of a cill beam and portal frame, at either end of the bridge.

Rosanna Lawes, Executive Director of Development at London Legacy Development Corporation, said: “Our thanks go to all the hard-working construction staff who have made fantastic progress, especially those from GRAHAM and their contractors who were hard at work over the Christmas holidays to deliver this fantastic new bridge.”

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said: “The installation of the Carpenters Land Bridge is another key moment in the East Bank development. It will provide access to local people and visitors from around the globe to the world-leading institutions that are set to be based at the country’s new powerhouse of culture, education, innovation and growth.”

The bridge works are due to be completed in spring 2020.

 

Video by GRAHAM Group on YouTube

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London 2012; East Bank construction begins

Map – Sites

  • Stratford Waterfront
    • UAL’s London College of Fashion
    • Sadler’s Wells
    • BBC
    • The V&A including a partnership with the Smithsonian Institution
  • UCL East (university campus)
  • Here East
    • V&A Collection & Research Centre
    • UCL

 

Photos

Photo: Martijn Giebels
Photo: Martijn Giebels
Photo: Martijn Giebels
Photo: Martijn Giebels
Photo: Martijn Giebels

 

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Press release: Mayor breaks ground to start construction on new culture powerhouse