Crowd Pleasers: the placemaking power of sports and entertainment

Wednesday 12 March 2025

View Speaker presentations

Jack Sallabank

Founding Director
Future Places Studio

Ondrej Chybik

Founding Partner
CHYBIK+KRISTOF

Lloyd Lee

Managing Partner
Yoo Capital Investment Management

Anna Blandford

Interim Assistant Director of Regeneration and Economic Development
London Borough of Haringey

Ed Atkins

Associate Director
KSS Group

Sophie Goff

Associate Director

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As cities continue to evolve, London, which is home to nearly 9 million people and contributes 25% of the UK’s GDP, is experiencing an increasing demand for versatile entertainment and sports spaces. Recent research by Future Places Studio highlights how these sites can act as catalysts for local growth, transforming into vibrant city districts where stadiums are integrated with retail, entertainment, and community facilities. With multi-purpose venues at the heart of urban transformation, this breakfast talk explored where built environment professionals see long-term value in cultural and sporting spaces and how these developments can drive regeneration.

With London redefining how architecture caters to cultural and social experiences, this event discussed the challenges and opportunities of creating dynamic, multi-use spaces that adapt to diverse audiences and functions, drawing on international perspectives. The session explored the integration of sports and entertainment venues into urban masterplans, examining how investment in such spaces can unlock economic and social value and create lasting community impact.