Abstract
Organizing a mega event, even an ephemeral one, can leave many material and non-material traces in a city and a host region and can be a means of bringing to life development visions and urban policy strategy. During preparations for the event itself, numerous interventions are carried out that are directly or indirectly related to the event. Depending on the type and concept of the event itself, the interventions in the city and its region can become part of their permanent heritage, thus improving the long-term quality of life of their inhabitants.
 The aim of this paper is to show how a large sports event, the 1987 Zagreb Summer Universiade, contributed to the development of the city and the host region, and to the implementation of the urban policy strategy of the time.
 Although Zagreb has a long history of urban planning, emphasis here is placed on the spatial planning documentation of the second half of the 20th century that preceded the organization of this large sports event. This paper looks at interventions carried out during the preparatory phase of the event that were directly or indirectly related to the temporary event itself as well as at the cultural and social program related to the Universiade.
 It may be concluded that the 14th Summer Universiade was a significant sports and cultural event that served as an instrument for carrying out numerous projects aimed at constructing new and improving existing sports facilities, accommodation capacities and the urban renewal of the city centre. Since most of the interventions would not have been carried out in such a short period of time were it not for the Universiade, it can be said that the Universiade was a means of realizing urban development policies and renewing Zagreb. The event left a lasting legacy of elements of infrastructure, suprastructure and ecostructure that the inhabitants of the city and the region continue to use for the same purposes.
Highlights
For many years spatial and urban planners have been striving together with local government and the public to put city development visions and trends into practice through the elaboration of spatial planning documentation
Urban development and the implementation of city development visions are characterized by dynamics that are determined by many factors that often display unpredictable movements
Development visions as implemented in spatial planning documents often cannot be realized in the short term due to a variety of reasons
Summary
For many years spatial and urban planners have been striving together with local government and the public to put city development visions and trends into practice through the elaboration of spatial planning documentation. Monclús (2006) points out that there is no reason to limit these strategic planning projects to prestige or “emblematic” projects since the former allow for the encouragement of other urban regeneration-related developments. They can be converted into policies of image or to other policies that generate considerable economic and social benefits. Organising a large event, including a Universiade, can serve as a means for realizing the visions and the urban policy strategy of the host city, allowing for the implementation within a short period of time of numerous interventions that are directly or indirectly related to the event. The aim of this paper is to show how sports events like the Universiade contribute to the development of the host city and the region, with an emphasis on the 1987 Zagreb Universiade and the implementation of Zagreb’s urban policy strategy of the time
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
