© LOCOG
Drawing inspiration from the extensive regeneration work taking place inside the Olympic Park, the initial concept for the “Changing Places” programme was to alleviate social and environmental problems around the main Games site by inspiring local people living in the local host boroughs to improve their own neighbourhoods.
As well as tackling these important issues, the programme would also help to ensure that local people were more involved in the development of the Games and felt ownership of what was happening on their doorstep. If it worked, the programme could generate real change for many people and extend the impact of the Games far beyond summer 2012.
The three core objectives for the Changing Places programme were:
1) To inspire communities to improve public places – for example, parks, open spaces and watersides;
2) To enable people to learn new interests and skills; and
3) To improve the quality of the local environment around London 2012 venues and beyond, creating long-lasting change.