The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
has today urged the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA)
to raise its sights for the Olympic Village, following the publication of the
ODA’s sustainability strategy for the 2012 London Olympics. The RIBA believes
that rather than lagging behind the Government’s own targets for low- and
zero-carbon housing, the ODA strategy should be leading the way.
The ODA sustainability strategy states that the Olympic Village will be 25%
more energy efficient than buildings built today using current building regulations.
Yet the Government is proposing that all new housing should meet that target
in any case by 2010 – two years before the Games take place. Furthermore,
the Government proposes that all new homes should be 44% more energy efficient
by 2013 and carbon-neutral by 2016. In terms of energy generation, the ODA strategy
proposes that 20% of energy should be generated by on-site renewable sources.
This is already the minimum permitted by the Mayor of London’s London Plan.
RIBA President Jack Pringle said:
“The ODA should be going for gold with its plans for the Olympic Village.
This is a perfect opportunity to provide the most environmentally-friendly homes
possible and show what Britain is capable of. Instead the Government and the
ODA have been lapped by their own targets. They’re not even in the race.
“I call on the ODA to work with the RIBA to deliver fantastically-designed
and sustainable housing. The RIBA competitions service provides an ideal way
of finding talented designers who can produce world class energy-efficient houses
and a wonderful legacy for the Games.”
Posted 24th January 2007