A day in Oxford...

A day in Oxford at the Independent Schools' Working Group conference, which was hosted by St. Edwards School on Woodstock Road, Oxford. Arrived early to help set up. Met a few people for the first time that I knew through various networks and NINGs. Event organised by Paul Baker and Garrett Nagle.

Bob Digby

Bob started by talking about his interest in sport and 'big events'.

Andrew Church: talks about a love of the spectacular: 'a view from the Royal Box' - need to bring something else to it for it to become geographical.
What do geographers bring to the study:
Environmental issues, scale of impacts (local - the transformation of Stratford in London, regional, national, global), processes of change and young people, geography and sport.
Refers to the legacy for young people.
Crime in Hackney halved in 2 years, and involvement in sport doubled. Coincidence ?

3 features of London's bid:
( Also remember that it was the first time that London had bid on a competitive basis: 1908 - Naples cancelled due to Vesuvius, and in 1948, London stepped in after WWII)

Olympic heritage
London's diversity
A sporting legacy

Nelson Mandela quote:
[London] "is a wonderfully diverse and open city...I can't think of a better place than London to hold an event that unites the world"

Barcelona: Olympics as pump primer for redevelopment, although Athens less successful

River Lea - connection with Iain Sinclair and development of Lea Valley area

Wimbledon / Wembley being used - iconic locations. Teaching idea: Route for marathon designed to take in London's landmarks... Could be used as a planning exercise with students.
Beach volleyball in Horse Guards Parade - inspired choice of location ?

Canning Town South - brief focus on this area - use of deprivation statistics
Enquiry questions about the impact of regeneration on quality of life.
Only 37% in full time employment, but many are full time carers
1 in 8 suffers poor health
1 in 5 people know fewer than 4 neigbours - 'disconnected'...
People concerned about crime
"Social regeneration" is needed

Industrial area used as site for stadium despite need for employment - also link to Noel's PORTLAND video.
When Bob started teaching, E. London was a major manufacturing area - not any more.

Uses of the Olympic venues after the event itself...

Affordable housing: what is 'affordable' ?
Olympic village going to be built as apartments and then short term conversion into rooms using dividers. Sydney said the same - designed to be sustainable but Olympics cost so much that they were sold off at market price.
Boris Johnson: "less about regeneration, more about sport" - will wait to see what happens

After Credit Crunch
Impact on property prices and affordability
Financing the loans is very difficult due to the credit crunch - problems for building companies.
Government taking over responsibility.
Who takes over the Olympic stadium ? West Ham need bigger stadium, Leyton Orient don't need a 25 000 seater

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