Difference Between Stratford Before Olympics and After Olympics 2012

Stratford Before Olympics vs After Olympics 2012
 

Stratford before olympics and after Olympics 2012 is very much different with all the changes that were made for Olympics. Stratford is a district situated in north eastern parts of London, England and is a part of the London Borough of Newham. Stratford is about 10km from Charing Cross and is referred to as one of the major centers that are placed in the London Plan. Stratford was an agrarian settlement in the view of West Ham, which turned into an industrial area after the introduction of the railway in 1839. Stratford expanded as a portion of growth of London at the end of the 19th Century as an industrial area. The city recently changed from railway works and heavy industry and became a significant commercial and cultural centre. Situated adjacent to London Olympic Park, the city of Stratford experienced regeneration and expansion with the arrival of 2012 Summer Olympics.

Stratford before Olympics 2012

Stratford has been a city known for its location. Since earlier times, it has been a city of choice to retreat as it is situated very near to the city of London. So, this has been an advantage. Stratford is a great place to live in. One of the advantages of living in Stratford is that getting around the town is quite easy. There are a number of shops, bars, theatres, and cinemas, etc., which are all in walking distance of each other. There is less distance between main centers of the city and the main entertainment places. The town allows visitors and students to get help from part-time jobs that are available to earn money while they are studying in the town. Students are allowed a number of facilities and students registered with University are exempted from paying taxes, which makes it a place worth living.

Greenway before Olympics 2012

However, though Stratford offers all of these advantages it has always been a city that needed investment to make it a better place. For the record, once the city has even been named as ‘stinky Stratford’ as a result of all the noxious industries and slaughterhouses. Before 2012 Olympics, the city was full of garbage sites and polluted waters. Stratford was one of the most diverse and economically deprived areas of the country.

Stratford after Olympics 2012

With the Olympics 2012, Stratford was changed forever. When first the city was chosen to host Olympics many people were surprised. However, by now, everyone is happy to see the change and development brought into the city with the Olympics. Stratford had advantages to have been selected as Olympics hosting area as it had a number of field sites that could be developed and had great green spaces with a major transport hub in form of the Stratford International Station. Olympic Park at Stratford became a part of the Olympic Stadium, Hockey Centre and the Olympic Village too. With the arrival of tourists to the city, the city economy boosted. Also, with all the new projects to make Stratford a suitable place for the Olympics by now the city has become a very beautiful place with the touch of modern architecture.

Olympic Stadium

What is the difference between Stratford Before Olympics and After Olympics?

• Before Olympics 2012, Stratford’s 20-foot tall Fridge Mountain was an area that made the city very ugly. But now, in that place stands the beautiful Olympic Stadium.

• Waterworks river that was full of old tyres and dirty water is now a beautiful water way with clean water.

• Even the Stratford town centre, which was an ugly 1970’s building is now with a beautiful makeover front. Though the entire building is not re-built the makeover given to the front is now attracting more shoppers.

• The Greenway that was at the end of the Stratford Marsh was the place to get rid of your old vehicle before the 2012 Olympics. People of North England use to park their cars there and set fire to it and go away. As a result, the area was a motor dump. However, after Olympics this area is now pedestrian friendly and now suits its name Greenway with greenery.

• It can be said the Stratford after Olympics 2012 is a much more livable and beautiful place than Stratford before Olympics 2012.

Images Courtesy:

1. Greenway route before Olympics by David Williams (CC BY-SA 2.0)
2. Olympic Stadium by EG Focus – 120416 LOCOG Aerials_043 (CC BY 2.0)

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