Amid the commencement of their journey towards a low-carbon legacy, the Paris Olympics is currently undertaking the construction of innovative and environmentally sustainable infrastructure. These new infrastructures aim to meet the immediate needs of the Olympic Games and strive to leave a positive and lasting environmental impact on the host city and its surroundings.
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Olympic Village
As the focal point of the Games, the Olympic Village will be utilized to test several innovations that will almost certainly be required to adapt structures to the climate of Paris in 2050, which is comparable to Seville's current summer climate. In pursuit of this objective, the construction crew prioritized using timber frameworks for edifices measuring no more than 28 meters in height, the threshold exceeded by which safety protocols forbid the application of wood.
Moreover, the constructor explained that the concrete utilized was 'low-carbon' and even 'very low-carbon' and that prefabricated concrete slabs included components derived from biological sources. There are reportedly tons of innovations in the construction of interiors, such as timber floors, cardboard bed bases, and so on. Thus, low-carbon concrete still needs to have a universally accepted definition, which should be stated. Regarding the environment, it might be challenging to evaluate the benefits unusual concrete offers accurately.
In addition, the buildings and roads inside the district are outfitted with rainwater recovery and usage systems, along with outdoor air treatment facilities. Transferring the rubble from the site by the river will also be possible, eliminating the requirement for tens of thousands of truck trips and return trips that will recycle 75% of this material.
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Sustainable Goals of the Paris Olympics
Since the event was staged in London in 2012, Paris 2024 has committed to reducing its carbon footprint by 50%. The event will take place from July 26 to August 11. For the International Olympic Committee (IOT) and its partners, it will be nothing short of a victory if they can accomplish this while also moving and catering to about 15 million visitors to the capital city, protecting 10,500 athletes, and supervising roughly 330 events at over 40 venues.
However, efforts to accomplish the objective as a group have been intensifying in the background for quite some time, encompassing logistics, transportation, catering, lodging, and personnel. Hub One, a digital technology business, and Toyota Material Handling (TMH) France, a company that develops, distributes, and sells materials-handling vehicles and industrial equipment, were among the companies that were selected to partner with the Olympic and Paralympic Games that took place this year.
Furthermore, reducing the time spent traveling is a significant component of the overall strategy. Most Olympic sites are situated within a radius of just 10 kilometers, equivalent to six miles. Nevertheless, the surfing competition will be conducted on the island of Tahiti, located more than 15,000 kilometers away, approximately 9,300 miles.
It is anticipated that the majority of athletes will be able to arrive at their respective locations within thirty minutes. A significant proportion of the venues, precisely 95%, including the Parc des Princes and Roland Garros, were established well before the hosting decision. Additionally, the organizers are emphasizing the utilization of renewable energy sources and sustainable catering and recycling practices.
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