Park Design Guide

Why the Update?

The last version of the guide, published in 2018, needed to reflect:

• The return of planning powers to the four growth boroughs.
• Policy advancements such as biodiversity net gain and urban greening, underscoring our commitment to expanding green infrastructure.
• Best practices from LLDC’s recently published documents, such as the Creating Places that Work for Women and Girls Handbook, the Design Quality Policy, the Green Infrastructure Guide, and the Inclusive Design Standards.

Supporting Sustainability and Carbon Reduction

Our updated guide is aligned with the Climate Action Strategy, reinforcing the Park’s role in responding to the Climate Emergency. Highlights include:

• A focus on the carbon footprint of public realm elements, with guidance based on a carbon assessment commissioned from Planit. This assessment covers key materials, surfaces, and street furniture used in the Park, offering insights for low-carbon design and maintenance.
• A research report, Climate Emergency Design Guidance complements the guide.

Championing Excellence in Design

The guide reinforces LLDC’s core themes of community, inclusion, high-quality design, and sustainability, ensuring Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park remains a global example of forward-thinking parkland. This commitment has been recognized by our 11th consecutive Green Flag Award.

A Collaborative Process

The guide benefited from extensive internal and external reviews, with valuable input from industry experts at 5th Studio, Planit, JL Gibbons, LDA, and LUC.

We invite you to explore the updated Park Design Guide and see how we are building a greener, more inclusive future for Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and its surrounding communities