Royal Institute of British Architects 2012 Olympics Sustainability

Royal Institute of British Architects 2012 Olympics Sustainability Jack Pringle , President September 2005-7 The Win • Singapore • Commitments – Design – Legacy – Sustainability • RIBA Committee A Phenomenal Task • • • • • • • • Land assembly Remediation Power Preparation Politics Venues Legacy Stakeholders Some Doubts • Priorities – – – – – Delivery Safety Budget Design Sustainability • Jack Lemly • Stadium • Media Centre A Lasting Legacy Design Commitments • A strengthened team – Nick Serota – Ricky Burdett – Alison Nimmo – Jerome Frost • RIBA – Supportive where possible – E.g. Velopark competition – A critical friend Sustainability Background • Sydney – Greenpeace – 50% PV / Solar Thermal energy for Village – 50% reduction in water Athens – ? Beijing – Commitment to carbon zero – 150 indicators tracked – Purpose of games? • • 2012 – the Greenest Games Waste and materials: • To reduce waste through design • 90% of demolition material to be reused or recycled and • at least 20 per cent of materials used in permanent venues and associated works and the Olympic Village to be recycled. 2012 – the Greenest Games Transport and mobility: • To prioritise walking, cycling and the use of public transport to and within the Olympic Park and venues, including building over • 80km of walking and cycling routes and to aspire to • 50 per cent of construction materials to be transported to the Park by water and rail 2012 – the Greenest Games Biodiversity and Ecology: • Ecological management plans, including • wildlife species protection and • tree preservation orders. • Re-profiling of the waterways, • extending wetland habitats 2012 – the Greenest Games Supporting communities: • To create new, safe, mixed-use public space, housing and facilities appropriate to the demographics and character of the Lower Lea Valley, adaptable to future climates. • Creation of the largest new urban park in Europe for 150 years • Between 30 and 35 new, permanent bridges built across the waterways, railways and roads that dissect the site • Safe areas created by avoiding overshadowed areas and maximising clear sightlines and lighting 2012 – the Greenest Games Materials: • To identify, source, and use environmentally and socially responsible materials. • At least 20 per cent of materials used in permanent venues and the Olympic Village will have previously been used somewhere else, or be a recycled product • Maximise timber from sustainable sources with all timber used from known, legal sources, with clear supply chain evidence. 2012 – the Greenest Games Access: • To create a highly accessible Olympic Park and venues by meeting the principles of inclusive design. • Inclusive design principles and access strategies for each venue • Shallow gradients within the Park ensure accessibility 2012 – the Greenest Games Climate Change • Aiming to minimise the carbon emissions associated with the Olympic Park and venues through a • 50% reduction in carbon dioxide by 2013. • On-site energy generation • Renewable energy • Project future-proofed so it can go even further as new technology allows 2012 – the Greenest Games Water: • To ensure efficient water use, reuse and recycling, with a target for a • 40 per cent reduction in the demand for potable water in permanent venues and a • 20 per cent reduction target for residential development All well and good? RIBA Response - Energy • • • • • • Targets are not challenging enough. Many aims fall short of existing government energy targets, especially on energy and water use. Plans to make houses in the Olympic Village 25%-35% more energy efficient than those built today would meet national targets set in place for 2010 – two years before the games. Sydney hit 50% through PVs and Solar Thermal The Olympic Village dwellings will come onto the market in 2013 – at a time when Government’s own targets for new build will be equal to c.50% more energy efficient than 2006 Building Regulations. Targets for generating 20% of the village’s energy from on-site renewables merely match the existing goals of the London Plan for 2008. RIBA Response - Energy • By 2012, many new developments in London will exceed current aspirations for the Olympics. • Allan Jones, chief executive of the London Climate Change Agency, a company set up by Ken Livingstone to devise projects to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the capital, says: – “Before the Olympics is ever built you will see zerocarbon development, which will put pressure on the people who think the Olympics is the exemplar.” RIBA Response - Energy • Govt policy is all new homes to be zero carbon by 2016, • ODA currently proposed standards for the legacy are patchy and not aspirational. • The whole Lower Lea Valley should be zero carbon in 2012. RIBA Response - Water • The aim of reducing water use by 20% in the Olympic Village merely complies with existing building regulations. • Sydney reduced by 50% • This reduction equates to a daily water consumption of 130 litres per person – far more than the mayor’s proposed target for London of just 70 litres a day. RIBA Response • Key Issue – No Olympic board member has specific responsibility for sustainability Commission for a Sustainable London 2012 • To provide assurance and monitoring of London's Olympic pledge to host the most sustainable Games ever • Commission for a Sustainable London 2012 was announced alongside the sustainability strategy. • Reporting direct to the Olympic Board. • Shaun McCarthy, chair of the newly created Commission; quote • the ODA’s current targets are – – “not sufficiently challenging” “In terms of the detail, there are some targets that probably don’t go far enough.” “Towards” One Planet Living Principles This is a moment in time 25 20 15 10 5 0 1850 1875 1900 1925 1950 1975 2000 And an opportunity