Olympic research centre explores stadium design and urban belonging in latest event
As it’s warming up to be a summer of elite sports and global competition, the Olympic Studies Research Centre (OSRC) at the University of East London will be hosting the second instalment of its online events series.
In collaboration with the London Festival of Architecture, the upcoming webinar will delve into how stadium design and urban transformation can increase communities’ sense of belonging in host cities.
Scheduled for 3rd June 2026, at 6:00 PM BST, the event will feature a panel of experts in sports architecture and urban geography, including Professor Geraint John, an architect and the first Briton awarded a medal for outstanding service to the Olympic Movement, who will draw on his work for the London 2012 Olympics and more, while looking ahead to future stadium proposals for the upcoming Los Angeles and Brisbane events.
Professor John R. Gold and Margaret Gold, leading authorities on Olympic city planning, will discuss the post-Games transformation of East London, and how the Lea Valley has fostered a sense of local belonging by becoming a permanent community fixture, over 13 years after the closing ceremonies.
Dr Stewart Bruce-Low, Associate Professor at the University of East London said:
“The Olympic Research Centre at the University of East London is delighted to host the second in our Olympic-based seminars. We are excited to collaborate on this session with the London Festival of Architecture and look forward to hearing from our panel of leading experts on the enduring impact of Olympic architecture.”
Professor Geraint John, said:
“Drawing inspiration from esteemed British architect Lord Norman Foster’s words: “as an architect, you design for the present with an awareness of the past, for a future which is essentially unknown”, I am looking forward to reflecting on the past, the present and the future of Olympic Stadia and the changes that have taken place.
Eliza Grosvenor, Head of Public Programme at NLA (New London Architecture), said:
“Each year, London Festival of Architecture brings together a growing network of professionals, enthusiasts and local communities to connect, collaborate and influence the future of our city. This event gives you the chance to do just that – unpacking ideas of past, present and future belonging in relation to the Summer Olympic Games in London. From the arenas to the post-games transformation, the event unpacks ideas around narrative, memory, belonging.”
Based at the University of East London in Newham, the Olympic Studies Research Centre (OSRC) integrates multidisciplinary research and outreach while housing the British Olympic Association (Team GB) Archive and preserving British Olympic history from 1906 to today.
The session will consist of expert presentations followed by an interactive Q&A. The event is free to attend via Microsoft Teams, though prior registration is required.
Event details:
What: “The Olympic Stadium as Home: Architecture, Memory and Belonging” (Online Webinar)
Date: 3rd June 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM BST
Platform: Microsoft Teams (Online)
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-olympic-stadium-as-home-architecture-memory-and-belonging-tickets-1984619856415?aff=erelexpmlt
