Defining a quantitative framework for evaluation and optimisation of the environmental impacts of mega-event projects

Olga Parkes,Paola Lettieri,I David L Bogle

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.11.009

Olga Parkes, Paola Lettieri + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.11.009

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Abstract

This paper presents a novel quantitative methodology for the evaluation and optimisation of the environmental impacts of the whole life cycle of a mega-event project: construction and staging the event and post-event site redevelopment and operation. Within the proposed framework, a mathematical model has been developed that takes into account greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from use of transportation fuel, energy, water and construction materials used at all stages of the mega-event project.The model is applied to a case study - the London Olympic Park. Three potential post-event site design scenarios of the Park have been developed: Business as Usual (BAU), Commercial World (CW) and High Rise High Density (HRHD). A quantitative summary of results demonstrates that the highest GHG emissions associated with the actual event are almost negligible compared to those associated with the legacy phase. The highest share of emissions in the legacy phase is attributed to embodied emissions from construction materials (almost 50% for the BAU and HRHD scenarios) and emissions resulting from the transportation of residents, visitors and employees to/from the site (almost 60% for the CW scenario). The BAU scenario is the one with the lowest GHG emissions compared to the other scenarios. The results also demonstrate how post-event site design scenarios can be optimised to minimise the GHG emissions. The overall outcomes illustrate how the proposed framework can be used to support decision making process for mega-event projects planning.

Highlights

Mega-events can be defined as the large-scale cultural, commercial or sport events that involve substantial capital investment and different stakeholder groups, enhance urban regeneration, political and economic status of the host city and attract global media attention (Roche, 2000; Getz, 2008; Lee et al, 2014)
In the Business as Usual (BAU) and High Rise High Density (HRHD) scenarios, the embodied emissions from the construction materials used for the redevelopment of the post-event site account for almost half of the total emissions of a project's life cycle followed by the emissions from the transportation of visitors, residents and employees in the legacy phase
In the Commercial World (CW) scenario the highest emissions occur from the transportation of visitors, residents and employees in the legacy phase followed by the embodied emissions from construction materials used during the post-event site redevelopment

Summary

Introduction

Mega-events can be defined as the large-scale cultural, commercial or sport events that involve substantial capital investment and different stakeholder groups, enhance urban regeneration, political and economic status of the host city and attract global media attention (Roche, 2000; Getz, 2008; Lee et al, 2014). Mega-events normally result in numerous economic and social benefits for the host city such as the increased number of tourists, major investment in infrastructure projects, creation of new jobs, sport education, etc. Mega-events are associated with various environmental impacts due to the vast amounts of construction materials, energy and A mega-event as an overall project can be described as a long-term multi-billion dollar project comprised of multiple phases of different duration which involves complex planning process and a vast array of different stakeholders

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