CABE placing young people at the heart of the 2012 games

In a speech to industry leaders, Tessa Jowell, the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport, has announced a feasibility study into the creation of an Exploratory for the London 2012 Games.

The London 2012 Exploratory would be an interactive educational resource centre, dedicated to the exploration of the built environment and the development of the Games sites in the UK. It could be a focal point for the interpretation of the Games sites for young people and for communities afffected by the 2012 Games.

Its feasibility study will be drawn up by CABE in partnership with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and the the Olympic Delivery Authority, the five London boroughs and a wide range of other stakeholders.

CABE and their partners plan to use the London 2012 Exploratory to emphasise the importance of excellence, inclusion and legacy as themes in the London 2012 Games and in developing the built environment in the context of the Games.

Speaking to the Architects' Journal Breakfast Club, Tessa Jowell said:

'This would act as a focal point for young people. It would interpret development in preparation for 2012 in the context of the history of both the Olympic sites and the Olympics in the UK and also connect people with the history of Olympians from their communities.'

'I am really excited about this project. It encapsulates so much of what I wanted to talk about: putting people back into buildings. And putting buildings back into the heart of communities.'

Dr Richard Simmons, Chief Executive of CABE, said:

'It is essential that people from across the UK are brought into closer contact with the plans and developments for building a world-class Games. The Building Exploratory in Hackney has already set an excellent example; this will be a further opportunity for young people, in particular, to be inspired by the culture and values of Olympians past and present from across the United Kingdom and the legacy that this Games will have for London and the rest of the UK.'