On the occasion of “Sustainability Week” in London, the International Master in Sport Design and Management, in synergy and collaboration with Populous®, organized a series of site visits and thematic workshops.

The program focused on the design and management of complex infrastructures, balancing infrastructural, economic, environmental, and social sustainability.

The itinerary included visits to five stadiums over three intensive days, along with two workshops at the Populous London headquarters, allowing participants to experience firsthand the most innovative trends in next-generation stadium design and management.

This initiative naturally found its home in the UK – the cradle of football (and tennis) – and specifically in London, a city with an extraordinary density of sports infrastructure.
It represents a unique opportunity for students to engage directly with top-tier managers and designers.
The group also included two representatives from Bluenergy group, the Master’s new partner, further strengthening the connection between academic excellence and leaders in energy and sustainability.

People we met and talked with:

POLITECNICO DI MILANO | SCIENTIFIC SUPERVISOR
Davide Allegri (Architect, Ph.D and Full Researcher)

ARSENAL FOOTBALL CLUB
James Fletcher | Event Safety Operations Officer (Arsenal Football Club)
Paul Harney | Security Manager (Arsenal Football Club)
Conor O’Flaherty | Facilities Manager (Arsenal Football Club)
Alan Russel | Emirates Stadium Head Groundsperson
Mattia Zambaldi | Asset Manager (Arsenal Football Club)

CRAVEN COTTAGE | FULHAM FOOTBALL CLUB
John D’Arcy | Head of Safety (Fulham Football Club)

LONDON STADIUM
Zoe Greenall | Senior Project Manager (London Stadium)
Darren Raczkowski | Director of Operations (London Stadium)
Alan Skewis | Capital Investment Program (London Stadium)

POPULOUS
Maddalena Cannarsa | Architect, Associate Principal (Populous London)
Marian Moravek (Principal Architect | Populous London)
Silvia Prandelli | Senior Principal (Populous’ Milan office)
Dale Jennings | Architect, Senior Principal&Bowl Designer (Populous London)

CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
Andrea Collins | Senior Lecturer at the School of Geography and Planning (Cardiff University)
Nicole Koenig Lewis | Professor of Marketing; Director of International Exchange (Cardiff University)