It was announced on 07 October 2008 that a panel of young people will be given a unique chance to work alongside the masterplanners tasked with developing legacy plans for the Olympic Park site. The London Development Agency, LDA, is leading a partnership overseeing the Legacy Masterplan Framework, LMF - spatial plan for homes, parkland, schools, workspace, health and sporting facilities to be developed on the Olympic site after the 2012 Games. As part of ongoing community engagement and consultation, the LDA is offering 14 to 19 year-olds the chance to join a Legacy Now Youth Panel. The Panel will provide budding planners and designers the opportunity to gain valuable industry experience, while offering the next generation's vision on the regeneration opportunity.

Around 50 young people from the host boroughs met with masterplanners - EDAW, Allies and Morrison and KCAP - for the first time to understand the legacy project and the Panel’s role. Twenty five will eventually be selected for the panel which will meet regularly until summer 2009.

Gareth Blacker, Director of the Olympic Legacy Development, said: "This is a great opportunity to help shape their future. We want to involve everyone in the masterplanning process, but it will be the young people that will be able to look back in forty years time and judge the true legacy of the 2012 Games. There has been so much enthusiasm from young people in the planning process during the summer consultation events. We want to harness that enthusiasm and offer practical experience where they can develop specialist skills for higher education and future careers."

The Legacy Now Youth Panel will:

- Meet planners, architects and decision makers;
- Visit the Olympic Park site and other regeneration developments;
- Take part in Olympic site model making with masterplanners
- Review designs and plans;
- Undertake work experience placements;
- Present and consult with wider groups of young people;
- Communicate developments via website, blogs and e-bulletins;
- Make creative projects including a film about the process;
- Plan for a large scale youth event in Summer 2009.

The LDA has teamed up with Fundamental, an architecture centre based in east London, to form and oversee the Panel. They worked with the 2012 units from each borough to select teenagers with an interest in planning and the area around them.

Fundamental Chief Executive Nick Edwards, said: "Joining the Legacy Now Youth Panel is a fantastic opportunity for young people from the five Olympic host boroughs to play a part in visioning and shaping the future of east London. They will be able to look back later in life and feel proud that they played an active role in shaping a whole new chunk of city in east London.  It will also be a great thing to add to their CVs and give them an important insight into careers in the built environment professions."

The Panel is just one of a number of upcoming youth events the LDA is holding as part of the Legacy Masterplan Framework consultation. They include half term workshops, a series of university lectures and school visits.

Bill Hanway, Chief Operating Officer of EDAW, said: "The ability to deliver a significant and sustainable Olympic Legacy is built on understanding the goals and aspirations of the young people in the surrounding community.  Their ambitions and skills will profoundly shape and inform the developing plans and the design team looks forward to working closely with them."

The LMF outline planning application, due to be submitted next year, will be part of a wider economic, social and physical regeneration strategy for the Olympic Park and the Lower Lea Valley. The LDA is leading this work alongside London 2012 partners.

Picture: Legacy Youth Panel

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