The design approach of stadiums needs to shift from inward looking facilities to places that have an inclusive and engaging relationship to their surrounding urban context and become hubs of community activity
Are sports stadiums in danger of becoming disconnected from their home cities?
Sports stadiums are a vital piece of a city’s social infrastructure and economy, with inspiring architectural designs that sit proudly on many skylines. As a result, many stadiums have become representative of modern-day cathedrals to the millions who pour into them on a weekly basis across the globe.
Stadiums provide the foundation from which a city can build a sporting legacy, creating thousands of jobs and contributing millions to the local and national economy.
However, as progressive cities focus on approaches geared towards the liveability, inclusivity and flexibility of the city itself, we are in danger of sports stadiums becoming increasingly disconnected to the community of the city.
Future Places Studio, which specialises in research, content and placemaking, has released the Sport & the City report, presenting the case that sports stadiums should no longer be designed and operated as a single use asset sitting empty or underutilised for large parts of the week, but rather they should be versatile and integrated placemaking anchors which activate and enliven their local neighbourhoods 365 days of the year.
The future stadium
The report sets out a vision for the “future stadium” – a mix of both tactical and strategic interventions designed to improve the immediate and longer-term performance of a stadium.
It details some of the key moves that owners and designers of sports stadiums can make to improve how a stadium sits within its local neighbourhood.
Some of these moves, such as the addition of colourful street art, a climbing wall on the facade or water fountains for children to play in are tactical placemaking interventions intended to enliven spaces and increase dwell time beyond matchday.
Other key moves will be more strategic such as creating a porous exterior to allow for versatile uses inside a stadium or the addition of renewable energy sources and green walls to improve the sustainability performance of a stadium.
Inspiring a new approach to stadium design
Future Places Studio founding director, Jack Sallabank, said: “The design approach of stadiums should shift from inward looking to places that have an inclusive and engaging relationship to their surrounding urban context as they become hubs of community activity.
“With this ambition in mind, this report presents a high-level strategic vision to guide and inspire architects, developers, municipalities and stadium owners in how they can approach stadium design differently.
“In researching this report, we have observed sports stadiums at the point of change, identifying a range of examples where modern thinking and approaches are being applied to stadium design.
“Despite the promise that these examples present, our research suggests that there is still room for more innovation and creative thinking, especially in how stadiums can become integrated and adaptable placemaking anchors.
“The report shows that with opportunities to create new revenue streams and enhance the relationship between a stadium and its neighbourhood, sports stadium design and development is at an exciting point of change. This report has identified several innovative approaches to stadium design which demonstrate the art of the possible and should act to inspire the future stadium.”
The Sport & the City report was commissioned and sponsored by Okana, along with Art Invest Real Estate and British Land.
Interviewees who took part in the research include:
Mark Camley, executive director of park and venues, London Legacy Development Corporation.
Paul Eddleston, associate, Buro Happold.
Etienne de Jager, senior project manager, Utrecht Municipality.
Pablo de la Fuente Fernandez, former vice-president of project development, Legends.
Roy McGowan managing director, Momentum Transport.
Simon McPherson, director, Global South.
Glen Sutton, chief profit officer, Fulham Football Club.
Julian Tollast head of masterplanning and design, Quintain.
Dimitri van Veen, project leader mobility, Utrecht Municipality.
Commenting on the research, Jonathan Seebacher, part of Okana’s Advisory Board, said: “This research is the perfect example of the benefits of place shaping.
“Place shaping is all about people and experience, and sport events and stadiums are becoming an increasing catalyst in shaping cities and places as they start to blur the boundaries beyond traditional typologies and approaches.
“The report highlights the need for greater connectivity, versatility and innovation in the design and development of sports stadiums worldwide.”
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