University College London (UCL) and the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) have revealed a plan to develop a higher education and cultural district in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
The plan has been revealed following support from the UK Government for the project called ‘Olympicopolis’, in its National Infrastructure Plan 2013.
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Under the plan, the cluster would include a new centre for culture and heritage, a design school, a new biotech hub, an educational technology centre and space for entrepreneurs.
The new site would expand the UCL campus away from its Bloomsbury base, adjacent to the Stratford waterfront on the land between the Olympic stadium and Stratford station.
UCL vice provost for enterprise and lead on the Olympic Park project at UCL Professor Steve Caddick said investing in the Olympic Park has the potential to provide UCL with an opportunity to explore a whole new programme of activities – especially in areas involving collaboration with other organisations.
"We will be very actively exploring development of new partnerships with other universities, with business and industry and with cultural institutions and charities to establish East London as the global hotspot for enterprise, innovation, research and education," Caddick said.
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By GlobalDataThe new site would enable the V&A to display more of its permanent collection, as well as providing a showcase for temporary and touring exhibitions in partnership with other museums and galleries.
London Mayor Boris Johnson said Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will be used as a catalyst for the industries and technologies in order to create thousands of new jobs.
"In the clearest possible signal of intent, I’m delighted the Chancellor has today added his support to our ambitious plans for growth," Johnson said.
"That support, added to the commitment from UCL and V&A – two of London’s finest global institutions – to anchor the Olympicopolis development, is a massive step forward in its delivery."
UK Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said the regeneration the Olympic Games brought to some of the poorest parts of East London must be continued.
"This excellent project brings together new housing with a world class university and museum and has the real prospect of creating a new centre of culture and learning in London," Osborne said.
Image: London 2012 Olympics Park Stratford London. Image Courtesy: Gary Bembridge/UCL
