Simulating the Impacts of 2008 Olympic Games on Real Estate Development in Beijing Metropolitan Area: An ABM Approach

Abstract

Hosting Olympic Games has been found a catalyst for the development of host cities since 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angles. Beijing, as the host of 2008 Olympic Games and the capital of the largest developing country, has witnessed dramatic changes since it won the Olympic bid. From 2001 to 2008, RMB 280 billion (USD 35 billion) will be invested on the infrastructure, environment, and industry development, majority of which goes to urban transportation, sanitation, water supply and power supply. In order to support the traffic during the Olympic Games, the traffic network will be substantially improved, and leading to the increase of accessibility of certain area. Moreover, the amenity of the area around the Olympic sport facility will be improved. In our recent survey, we found that many new developed residential places have already been build near the planning but unfinished subway or near the unfinished Olympic Park. Therefore, planning efforts in Beijing increasingly focus on issues such as “how the 2008 Olympic Games will shape the real estates form” and “how these influenced real estates developments will retroact on urban transportation planning”, to serve the government, residents and real estates developers. Significantly, studying the model of the urban development in Beijing Metropolitan Area is very important to provide appropriate macro control strategies and help supervising the Olympic Games in the sustainability and planning perspective.