Planning, organisation, construction – those in the know say it takes 15 plus years to do the world’s greatest spectacle justice. Much of which is thrown at the Olympic village.

Gracing a 2.5 square km plot of industrial wasteland in the Lower Lea Valley of East London, the Olympic Village will boast the standard affair. The likes of a main stadium, aquatic centre, accommodation that sort of thing. And connecting the 17,000 athletes/officials with all these venues will be the Olympic Park Loop Road.

But it’s not just a matter of sticking up the buildings as quick as possible. A world-class site can never be labelled that if it gives the environment a pummelling can it? So chins are being rubbed as we speak. Then there’s what to do with the site after. At the minute the word regeneration is being banded about, with plans to convert the buildings to homes. No stone left unturned seems the right thing to say here.

The GLA website has more info on the games:
www.london.gov.uk/mayor/olympics/index.jsp

The people needed to make the games a success include:

• Minerals surveyor devising ways to clean the ground safely and cost effectively
• Environmental health pracitioner advising on the use and storage of dangerous materials
• Engineering or land surveyors mapping out the site for future building plans
• Architects designing fantastic new buildings
• Quantity surveyors working out the materials and time frame needed to complete the project
• Civil and structural engineers ensuring the building designs are safe
• Environmental psychologists consulting on issues of how the built environment can manipulate crowd behaviour and crime prevention
• Public relations officer keeping the public up to date with the latest news and events

Each apartment for the athletes and officials will have internet access and wireless technology.

• Electricians installing the network and power cables
• Network managers designing and maintaining a reliable network for the site

A new tri-generation power plant will supply electricity, heating and cooling during the games. Water and rubbish will be recycled during and after the Games.

• Energy engineers designing and constructing the new power plants needed to supply the Games
• Waste management officers managing the collection and recycling of the waste produced during the Games

 The plans for the area's previously neglected waterways include creating wetlands for wildlife and replanting native plants.

• Landscape managers advising on the long-term care and development of the landscape
• Landscape architects designing the new 'natural' habitat
• Gardeners creating the new wetlands
• Ecologists ensuring residents get the most out of the wetlands without negative impacts