Transforming east London

A key proposal in the bid for London to host the Games in 2012 was to use the Games as a catalyst to transform east London and improve the lives of thousands of Londoners living in the area. After winning the bid, work began immediately to transform the area around the Olympic Park, and the transformation has been remarkable.

At the centre of this transformation is the Olympic Park itself, a green backdrop for the Games and a new green space that Londoners will be able to enjoy long after the Games have left town, not least the thousands of residents in the community that will be created once the Athletes’ Village is converted into homes for Londoners.

And in the surrounding areas, £5 billion has been invested in new transport schemes, connecting local communities to new jobs, opportunities and facilities. The unprecedented levels of public investment are attracting private sector investment to east London on a scale not seen before in this part of London. Take Westfield Stratford for example - £1.5 billion to build Europe’s largest shopping centre, creating 10,000 jobs for Londoners.

From iconic landmarks, to green parks, better transport, new jobs, access to skills and training, affordable housing, new communities – the benefits of London 2012 for east London are very real and Londoners are already realising them now.