There is no better feeling than being a part of a significant sporting event, feeling the positive outburst of support amongst the crowd. The anticipation of intense competitions, the togetherness of the chanting spectators, live sporting coverage by various platforms and the nervousness and excitement from the athletes themselves as they walk onto the arena showground.
When it comes to designing green infrastructure for large sporting events, it is important to focus on creations that will leave a wow factor and legacy for all to enjoy!
How can you include ‘legacy’ into the design of your infrastructure?
Local authorities are willing to invest in sports facilities that provide value for money in terms of benefitting the organisation, community, and economy, whilst enhancing the local environment.
Planning for long-term urban tree planting with minimum maintenance will ensure grounds maintenance time remains as required. Designing using best practice methods, by use of agile, good quality, flexible products, will enable green infrastructure to thrive to maturity.
Did you know – Trees and shrubs can reduce noise by five to ten decibels reducing noise to the human ear by approximately 50%?
Working alongside Illman-Young, Kier Construction and Charlton Abbotts on the Cheltenham Racecourse, the green infrastructure here has become a main focal point for the entrance to the grounds. These trees provide a multi-functional use for the area such as beauty, biodiversity, and a stormwater interception. The results speak for themselves, soil cells have made a clear difference in providing healthy aerated uncompacted soil – a best practice method that will work with little maintenance for years to come! The Stratacell was chosen in particular for its large load-bearing capacity to allow emergency vehicle overrun that may need to gain access to the venue.
Dubai Expo 2020, welcomed the world to 24.1m visitors to their human-centric smart city. A global fitness stage to millions of spectators. The sports hub provides exciting opportunities for visitors and staff working at the Expo 2022 to participate in a programme of fitness activities throughout the duration of the event.
A truly iconic construction in the United Kingdom of London is The Olympic park. Covering 560 acres, 6.5km of waterways and 15 acres of woodland and hedgerow habitat with more than 6,000 new trees. Ten years and £12bn in the making the Olympic Park is the biggest new park in Europe for 150 years. GreenBlue Urban are proud to have assisted with tree planting for such an iconic venue, over 10 thousand irrigation/aeration and guying products were chosen via Frosts Landscapes to maintain the longevity and stability of the carefully chosen trees. Many of which were grown at the renowned Hillers Nursery and included London Plane, Oak and Tulip trees along pathways, small-leaved lime and wild cherry and white willow and alder along the rivers to name a few, all carefully chosen to provide structure, shade, and seasonal colour.
With the World Cup around the corner, GBU are delighted to have contributed to the Lusail development as well as the Commonwealth Games Arena, White Heart Lane, Edgbaston, Lords, and the brand new Alexander Stadium in Birmingham!
Always keep legacy at the top of your mind when designing these larger stadium sporting designs. GreenBlue encourages all municipalities that are considering hosting a multi-sport event or looking to upgrade their local sporting facilities to consider the long-term impacts these communal hubs have on the environment and to build a special heirloom into their initial masterplans.
