The Crystal, a Sustainable Cities Initiative by Siemens, is one of the most sustainable buildings in the world. It operates as a sustainable events venue and as the world’s largest exhibition on urban sustainability. The structure also serves as Siemens’ Centre of Competence Cities, a technology and innovation centre bringing together political decision-makers, infrastructure experts and the general public in order to develop concepts for the future of cities and their infrastructures. Jog on our kinetic mats to turn on the lights; try to run your city sustainably for 40 years on our simulator; calculate your water footprint with one of our quizzes; and immerse yourself in our two cinema experiences!

Hear about the bid for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the architectural build, the greening of the landscape, and the post-games project to change health outcomes for one of London’s poorest neighbourhoods. Following the story of the Games, the tour includes iconic venues, such as the London Aquatics Centre, the Copper Box Arena and Lee Valley VeloPark. Participants will also get to see the Sir Ludwig Guttmann Health & Wellbeing Centre, designed by Penoyre & Prasad, and Tumbling Bay, an award-winning expansive, landscape-embedded, fence-free play space. The play space caters for children of all ages and abilities, and presents an interesting case study in maximising play value and the acceptability of risk.