2012 Summer Olympics Venues and infrastructure

The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games plan to use a mixture of new venues, existing and historic facilities, and temporary facilities, some of them in well-known locations such as Hyde Park and Horse Guards Parade. In the wake of the problems that plagued the Millennium Dome, the intention is that there would be no white elephants after the Games. Some of the new facilities would be reused in their Olympic form, while others, including the recently announced 80,000 seater main stadium, would be reduced in size and several would be relocated elsewhere in the UK. The plans are part of the regeneration of Stratford in east London, which will be the site of the Olympic Park, and of the neighboring Lower Lea Valley.

However, this may require the compulsory purchase of some business properties, which would be demolished to make way for Olympic venues and infrastructure improvements. This has caused controversy; with some of the affected proprietors claiming that the compensation offered is inadequate. In addition, concerns about the development's potential impact on the future of the century-old Manor Garden Allotments have inspired a community campaign, and the demolition of the Clays Lane housing estate was strongly opposed by tenants.

The majority of venues have been divided into three zones within Greater London: the Olympic Zone, the River Zone and the Central Zone. In addition to these are those venues that, by necessity, are outside the boundaries of Greater London, such as the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy on the Isle of Portland in Dorset (which will host the sailing events) and various stadia across the UK, such as the Cardiff $1.4billion International sports village currently in construction.

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