Abstract
One of the most productive uses of ephemeral events like the Olympics, Expos and FIFA World Cup is to use them to produce a better city. These events often require considerable changes in land use and investments in infrastructure that need to serve not only the event but also future needs as well. One valuable urban application is to reuse polluted or aging industrial land and turn it into a city asset. Brownfield development as part of mega events can lead to reclamation of beaches and waterfronts, and the use of industrial land for commercial and residential use. Examples drawn from recent mega events illustrate how careful planning can leave an event legacy of improved land use and quality of life.
Highlights
Brownfield development as part of mega events can lead to reclamation of beaches and waterfronts, and the use of industrial land for commercial and residential use
Examples drawn from recent mega events illustrate how careful planning can leave an event legacy of improved land use and quality of life
Mega events include ephemeral phenomena based on sport (Olympics, FIFA World Cup), arts and culture (Expo, Capitals of Culture), and religion (Kumbh Mela, the Haj)
Summary
Mega events include ephemeral phenomena based on sport (Olympics, FIFA World Cup), arts and culture (Expo, Capitals of Culture), and religion (Kumbh Mela, the Haj). FIFA World Cup is the most recent of the major mega events, starting in 1930 and being country based rather than one city as is the case for Expos and the Olympics. La Exposición Internacional de Lisboa de 1998: Una de las principales razones para la Expo fue la reurbanización, y los organizadores dejaron claro que la transformación del suelo industrial abandonado que funcionaba como refinería era un objetivo principal. When Legacies Fail A well planned and managed mega event can bring many benefits to its host city and country, including salvage of brownfields for productive use. Mega events can be seen as a distraction promoted by a host city or country to redirect public attention away from other, more sensitive, topics One example for this was suggested by the Beijing 2008 Olympics, described as “a campaign of mass distraction” (Brady 2009). In addressing political corruption overall, Tanzi and Davoodi (1997) show that the practice distorts public investment decision making and leads to: a) Higher costs and/or lower revenue; b) Lower quality infrastructure; and c) Less spent on operations and maintenance
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