LDA Design • Hargreaves Associates will develop detailed proposals for the open spaces in the Olympic Park both during and after the Games. They will create a new kind of park that promotes sustainable and active living.

In 2009 work will start on the parklands and public spaces that will help form part of the largest new urban park in London since the great Victorian era of park building.

After the Games the Park will be made up of different areas suiting a variety of needs including allotments and other food-growing areas, meadows, wetlands, wooded valleys, orchards, new wildlife habitats and facilities for sports such as canoeing, mountain biking and climbing.

New cycle and footpaths will connect the Lower Lea Valley with the River Thames for the first time.

Olympic Delivery Authority Chief Executive David Higgins said: ‘Our world-leading design team will help develop our plans to transform this former industrial area into a thriving park that boosts sustainable and active living, creates new wildlife habitats and anchors the regeneration of a neglected part of east London.