Host City Research Articles

‘We wouldn’t have missed it for the world’: hosting a polycentric sporting mega event in pandemic times

ABSTRACT This paper examines the polycentric hosting of a Sporting Mega Event (SME) in pandemic times. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 stakeholders in senior management positions who were involved in the planning, organisation, and delivery of the UEFA EURO 2020 football tournament in a sample of host cities. Three themes were developed that describe the varied perspectives of UEFA and host city representatives on how they responded to the challenge of hosting a SME during a pandemic. The first theme ‘Reorienting pre-pandemic plans’ presents an alternative model of tournament planning as a system of spontaneous order (Polanyi [1953] 1998), involving a large number of host cities mutually adjusting to COVID-19 policies and guidance. The second theme ‘Dialogue and managing conflict’ demonstrates how the usual overarching system of rules proved difficult for UEFA to standardise. The third theme ‘Putting COVID-19 policies into practice (or not)’ revealed that pandemic rules were not seen as useful to some fans and stadium staff, making their enforcement more difficult to implement. It remains to be seen whether the polycentric hosting of EURO 2020 will have lasting implications on UEFA’s governance over SMEs.

Legacy and urban regeneration: long-term local impact of the London 2012 Olympic Games

ABSTRACT The 2012 London Olympics Games bid emphasized using the Olympics as an urban regeneration catalyst of one of London’s poorest areas and one of the Games’ legacies. This study’s contribution is an examination of this legacy using 2001–2022 data, analysing the pricing and sales changes in the residential property market in London’s 656 electoral wards, before and after the IOC announced the location of the Games in 2005, and when the Games were held in 2012. The results reveal a slight and short-lived positive difference between the Olympic Park wards and the rest of the city, particularly after the awarding announcement and the Games themselves. Regeneration efforts were successful but not necessarily in the ways outlined in the bid, as the local community (as was prior to the announcement) is not necessarily the main benefactor due to the predictable migration and gentrification of the area. The London Games exemplify the potential legacy of the Olympic Games but is also a cautionary tale for local communities in host cities.

Microlevel analysis of how itinerant immigrant entrepreneurs underwrite local economic development in an African city

ABSTRACT Itinerant merchants are actively involved in various economic activities within and around African cities, albeit on a small scale. However, there remains a gap in understanding their contribution to host cities’ local economic development (LED). This research aims to fill this gap by examining how itinerant immigrant retailers support LED in host cities, using Wa in Ghana. Recognising their role is essential for informing location-specific development plans to boost local economies. Employing a qualitative research approach, we interviewed 52 participants, including itinerant immigrants, city residents, and officials from relevant state agencies. Thematic analysis using NVivo version 11 was employed to analyse the responses. Itinerant merchants play a crucial role in local economies by creating employment opportunities, providing income sources for residents, ensuring convenient access to goods and services, and contributing to market diversification. We discuss how these insights could inform LED policies and planning in sub-Saharan Africa.

A Brief Analysis of The Economic Impact of Major Sporting Event on The Host City

The study of sports competition is a crucial field of research that comprises subjects such as economics, sociology, and other related fields. Scholars in this endeavour to tackle paramount questions with profound practical ramifications, which includes exploring the qualities and movements that underlie sports competition. Exploring the factors that influence sports competition outcomes and the ways in which these factors shape diverse competitive landscapes is a valuable and significant research area. This research examines the economic impact of major sports events on the host city. The aim of this research is to provide a thorough analysis of the economic consequences that follow from hosting such events. Through a synthesis of existing literature and empirical analysis, the research investigates the various facets of the economic impact of major sports events, encompassing employment, local commerce, tourism, and infrastructure development. The results indicate that such events can yield significant economic gains, ultimately promoting regional growth and development. However, a thorough analysis of the available evidence emphasises the importance of adopting a multidimensional viewpoint that takes into the account the social, cultural, and environmental ramifications. Despite the intricacies and constraints in accurately measuring the magnitude of the effects, this research ascertains that organising major sports events can generate favourable economic consequences for the locality. The results emphasise the significances of thorough analyses and additional research to enhance our comprehension of the economic implications of hosting such events.

Health-Related Parameterization Evaluating Thermal Comfort in Urban Green Spaces: Data Sourced from a Global Database and Mapping at National Scale

Outdoor thermal comfort (OTC) is one of the most important issues for people exposed to urban green space (UGS). It is mainly evaluated by assessing equivalent meteorological factors that may combine and result in human responses of perceptions about comfortable vs. uncomfortable environments. The assessment of these responses is challenged by limits in a database that is powerful enough to support big-data analysis and an essential parameter that can evaluate health-related responses to OTC in urban forests. In this study, a meta-analysis was conducted by synthesizing studies of physiological and psychological health responses of green space (GS) visitors to meteorological factors in host cities on a global scale. A total of 15,000 numerical records about the psychological and physiological responses of UGS visitors were obtained from 105 papers across 68 global cities in 21 countries. A novel parameterization was developed to evaluate OTC by normalizing changes in health-related parameters and detecting their regressions against multiple meteorological factors. It was revealed that OTC resulted in more benefits in psychological health parameters than in physiological ones for UGS visitors worldwide. Globally, health-promoting OTC environments were more found in temperate countries than in countries subjected to other climates. People in Asian countries were indicated to live in environments with higher comfort that benefitted health states in cities at low latitudes. Thermal environments tended to be harsher and more challenging, mostly too chilling, in northern cities than in the south globally. A deep learning model using the ResNet algorithm was found to perform to an expected level with R2 as high as >70% and errors controlled generally lower than 0.01. Taking mainland China for instance, it was predicted that thermal environments in eastern cities of China highly challenged the psychological health of local UGS visitors across all seasons of the year. Northern cities of China were predicted to have satisfied thermal environments that benefited psychological and psychological health responses in spring. In summer, cities in West China were predicted to have comfortable thermal environments, and in winter, environments in the southwestern cities were more comfortable.

Blended Learning: What Changes?

This article questions the changes brought about in the teaching system of university courses after the COVID-19 pandemic. Online learning, once considered an experimental and emergency tool, is increasingly becoming a standard practice integrated into teaching delivery systems. This article examines the impact that blended learning has on the host city and how it is perceived and experienced by the key stakeholders. Focusing on two degree courses that employ a blended learning model, the article proposes a survey for teachers and students to investigate the problems and advantages of blended courses. In both groups, there is no consensus of opinion or a clear trend on any issue. This fragmentation of responses should be understood as stemming from the individual motivations, unique characteristics, and personal experiences of each participant, intertwined with their university careers. It also reflects the level of adaptation to blended teaching achieved by each individual. It becomes clear that blended teaching encompasses all the challenges of online teaching but also expands access to university education and offers the possibility of exploring the educational potential offered by technology. Blended learning encourages students to be more independent and to develop their capacity for self-directed learning, though not all students are prepared for this shift. For teachers, blended learning also demands a methodological shift, differentiating between online and in-person lessons. However, while challenges remain, the progress made so far appears promising for the future. To ensure continued success, it is essential to focus on improving internet access, strengthening students’ self-learning abilities, and simultaneously enhancing teachers’ competencies in using digital tools and facilitating remote teaching.

The Economic Footprint Of The FIFA World Cup

The FIFA World Cup is a premier global sport, since its inception in 1930, on the 15th of December. The World Cup event has substantial economic implications for its host countries. This study examines the economic footprint of the FIFA World Cup by targeting three key components: immediate benefits, long-term economical impacts, and associated challenges. The research incorporates economic data and impact assessments to offer insights into the complex balance of costs and benefits associated with the FIFA World Cup. Objectives of the Paper: At the outset, this research paper highlights the instant financial gains, such as increased tourism, which boosts local spending in businesses, hotels, and restaurants. The influx of visitors also generates short-term employment possibilities, providing temporary economic boosts. The analysis then turns to the long-term effects, observing that hosting the World Cup can lead to significant infrastructure development, including stadiums and transportation systems, which enhances urban development and quality of life. Additionally, a successful World Cup can improve the host city’s global footprints, possibly attracting future investment and tourism. However, the study also delves into the challenges involved. An overall cost of hosting, including construction, management, and security, can be substantial, sometimes outweighing the immediate benefits. Post-event periods can be complex, with decreased economic activity and maintenance costs for new infrastructure. Case studies of consecutive FIFA world cups including South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, and Russia 2018 are examined to provide a balanced perspective of the varied experiences of different host nations. In final analysis, while the FIFA World Cup can bring significant economic benefits and long-term development, it also presents considerable financial challenges. The findings underscore the need for careful planning and management to optimize the event’s positive impacts and address possible drawbacks, providing essential lessons for anticipated host cities and nations.1

Get out of life on the edge: The role of urban public health services on migrants’ social integration in China

AbstractPublic health services for migrants are not only related to their health status, but also crucial to their social integration in the host cities. Using data from the 2017 China Migrants Dynamic Survey, we examine the impacts of urban public health services on migrants’ social integration. We find a positive correlation between the accessibility of public health services among migrants and their social integration. Research on the mechanisms reveals that obtaining public health services contribute to social integration by improving migrants’ health status, fostering the alignment of hygiene practices with those of local residents and promoting family migration. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the positive impact of public health services on social integration is notably pronounced among migrants engaged in informal employment, lacking social security, holding rural hukou and having a relatively brief duration of residence in the host cities. This paper presents valuable insights into migrants’ social integration which is a critical issue for policymakers. By improving the accessibility of public health services, migrants will better integrate into host cities. The findings may be instructive for promoting urbanization in China and other countries.

Heritage, urban form and spatial resignification in the production of sustainable Olympic legacies: an urban design analysis of the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games

The Olympic Games have been associated with many urban transformation projects throughout their history, often focusing on city expansion. Recent sustainability concerns, however, constitute a pressing challenge, with the regeneration of central areas fulfilling a key role in existing urban agendas. In this paper, the legacy of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at two proposed centralities was analysed, namely, the Olympic Park, intended as a future neighbourhood to the west of the city, and Porto Maravilha (PM), an urban project aimed at revitalizing a central, historical area of the city. By comparing the Olympic Park and the first provided areas in PM, in terms of selecting urban design criteria through qualitative in loco assessments, this paper focused on analysing the impacts of urban forms and heritage on the consolidation of these two centralities, as well as encouraging social interaction and integration into the city. The analysis results indicated that urban design attributes such as human-scaled, mixed-use, context-based urban spaces could interfere with social interaction and the usability of spaces. Moreover, the repurposing of heritage buildings contributed to urban cohesion for legacy transformation. Hence, novel insights into urban design and heritage could become important for future editions of the Olympics so that host cities may fulfil their sustainability agendas.

Examining the development of human rights strategies for large-scale sport events: the case of the United Bid for the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026

ABSTRACT Research question Criticism of human rights issues associated with large-scale sport events has led event rights holders to incorporate human rights into bidding and hosting requirements. Bids for FIFA World Cups (men’s and women’s) now require the inclusion of a human rights strategy. Given that these requirements are relatively new, there is limited understanding of how these strategies are developed. This study drew on strategy formulation and contingency theory to examine human rights strategy development of the United Bid – a joint bid between Canada, Mexico, and the United States for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup. Research methods A qualitative instrumental case study was employed using archival data and 12 semi-structured interviews with United Bid members and key stakeholders. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis, resulting in three themes. Results and findings Findings highlight the critical roles of stakeholder engagement and individuals with event experience in developing human rights strategies. The novelty of FIFA’s human rights requirements and late delivery of the bid guidelines presented significant challenges for the bid committee. Implications This research advances contingency theory by suggesting the approach to the development of human rights strategies is dependent on prospective hosts’ overall bid strategy. In this case, the bid focused on human rights at the country level and deferred assessment of human rights at the host city level until after the bid was won. This insight can guide prospective host nations in accounting for and integrating human rights into their bids.

Trade fair activity and sustainable urban development, through the lens of Thessaloniki International Fair

ABSTRACT This paper explores a new perspective on trade fairs, examining their expected impact on the sustainable development of the host city. To study this impact, the paper examines the annual fair of Thessaloniki, Greece, which has a long history and strong connection with the city. Methodologically, mix research method is used, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. The findings challenge the focus of trade fairs’ benefits in terms of sustainability on the economic aspect. Thessaloniki citizens believe that the fair contributes positively to sustainable urban development, possibly due to their emotional attachment with it and its crucial economic benefits. Stakeholder interviews, however, reveal concerns. Some attribute limitations to outdated fair infrastructure, claiming that a planned redevelopment could address sustainability issues. Others, more critical of the fair, argue that achieving truly balanced development is difficult within the existing mode of socio-economic organisation.

엑스포 마스코트와 아이덴티티 디자인의 통합적 브랜드 개발 연구

The Expo can be said to be the world's largest public exposition that displays and exchanges culture and technology of each country, and as a host country, it is an opportunity to expect economic development and revitalization of the country and development of each region. . Accordingly, the branding of the Expo as a host city and even of a national brand has become important, and the planning and production of branded content appropriate for this has been recognized as an important element in delivering and communicating the Expo. This study focused on analyzing the mascot and identity that make up the brand of this expo through the following steps. First, through theoretical consideration, we looked at the importance of mascots and their functions and roles at the Expo. Second, we looked at the themes of each expo held since 2012, as well as cases of identity and mascots, and analyzed the current status of their symbolic forms and elements. Third, a survey and analysis were conducted on the recognition and relevance of the identity and mascot image based on the theme of each expo. Lastly, based on the results of the above analysis and survey, an integrated expo brand development plan was presented to improve the expo image. In other words, through this study, we aim to present elements and methodologies that can achieve integrated development at the brand level in the correlation between the expo's mascot and identity, which are increasingly becoming more important through their diversified roles.

Research on the Impact of Hallmark Events on Host Cities

Over the last several decades, many countries have been bidding to host the Olympic Games, the World Cups, and other hallmark sporting events to bring a variety of potential benefits to the host countries, such as accelerating urban regeneration, a catalyst of economic growth, improved infrastructure, and enhanced international image. However, whether a city or a country should bid to host the Olympic Games and whether holding such hallmark events can only bring positive benefits has become a topic of intense discussion. Based on this background, this paper aims to explore the impact of the Olympic Games as a hallmark event on hosting cities and analyze whether it could bring benefits for everyone. In this paper, the author comprehensively analyzes various aspects of the impact of hallmark events on host destinations to inform future policymaking.

Spatial Characteristics of Brownfield Clusters and “City-Brown” Patterns: Case Studies of Resource-Exhausted Cities in China

In the post-industrial era, many cities have experienced the decline of heavy industry and traditional manufacturing, leading to the widespread emergence of brownfields. These often cluster geographically, forming “brownfield clusters” characterized by shared spatial and functional traits. Our research examined these phenomena within 10 resource-exhausted cities in China, employing kernel density analysis to explore the spatial dynamics within and among these clusters and their urban contexts. We identified three distinct spatial relationships between brownfield clusters and their host cities (coupling, juxtaposition, and encircling), with a detailed case study in Huangshi City further classifying the clusters into five categories based on their dominant factors, spatial morphologies, types of brownfields, and internal dynamics. The study reveals that the spatial configurations of brownfield clusters are significantly influenced by geographic features, transportation infrastructure, and policy frameworks. Based on these findings, we propose targeted regeneration strategies for each cluster type. This research not only enhances our understanding of brownfield challenges and opportunities in China’s resource-exhausted cities but also serves as a valuable reference for other cities and regions worldwide facing similar challenges.

An Analysis of Linguistic Resources for Sports Tourism Media Discourse: A Case Study of the Women’s World Cup Final in Sydney

Sports have historically played a significant role in influencing travel, the twenty-first century witnessing a notable surge in sports tourism attributed largely to increasing globalisation and the pervasive influence of social media. International sports events hosted by countries and cities serve as potent platforms for tourist promotion, with meticulous attention to detail often reflected across various social media channels. Notably, recent editions of such events have seen women taking on crucial roles. This paper delves into the FIFA Women’s World Cup Final held in Sydney, Australia, in August 2023, analysing three distinct corpora to discern linguistic resources—the use of persuasion with personal pronouns and imperatives, among others—shaping tourism media discourse, specifically focusing on gender visibility and promotion of destination excellence. To conduct this research, we compiled a corpus of 11,549 words comprising webpages, online publications and tourism blogs, using AntConc software for the analysis. Our findings reveal that the media employ specific language choices to portray the event and its host city, projecting values such as teamwork and inclusion, often through community engagement. However, there exists an under-representation of coverage concerning sportswomen, with minimal linguistic patterns used to promote their visibility beyond the event’s title. Conversely, the host city receives extensive promotion. Consequently, this analysis serves as a pertinent case study contributing to the understanding of sports tourism media discourse representation.

Revisiting the host city: Examining event quality, host city evaluation, place attachment and destination brand equity from the spectators at the Konya Islamic Games 2022

This study aims to investigate the correlation among event quality, host city evaluation, place attachment, destination brand equity, and visitors’ attitudinal intention. Structural equation modeling was employed to test the proposed hypotheses. The data were collected through convenience sampling from 392 spectators who attended the Islamic Solidarity Games 2022, Konya. The results show that event quality positively affects host city evaluation and revisit attitude, while it negatively affects destination brand equity and place attachment. Furthermore, host city evaluation positively affects destination brand equity, place attachment and revisit attitude and has a mediating role between event quality, destination brand equity and place attachment. On the other hand, the results show that there is negative effect of place attachment and destination brand equity on revisit attitude. This research is important in terms of examining the relationship between destination brand equity, brand loyalty and event quality variables since these variables are factors that directly affect visitor experience and behavior. This study makes a theoretical contribution as it investigates different theories and variables in a different context, confirms and updates existing theories and reflects the positive and negative relationships between variables. A more detailed understanding of the relationship between event and destination can guide decision makers to develop more effective strategies.

Evolving Dynamics of Higher Education Institutions and Their Cities (1980-2020)

This research examines the significance of higher education institutions (HEIs) as anchors in their host cities and their community engagement strategies from 1980 to 2020. By examining four case studies of urban-based universities that are members of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU) across diverse geographical and socio-economic contexts, this study analyzes the impact of anchor strategies on local communities, economic growth, and urban revitalization. Two public institutions—Rutgers University-Newark (RU-N) and the University of Pretoria (Mamelodi Campus, South Africa)—and two private institutions—Syracuse University (S.U.) and the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)—comprise the four selected institutions. Comparative analysis of the case studies reveals that effective anchor strategies frequently involve multidimensional approaches that address their respective cities' social, economic, and public safety challenges. In addition, I identify the key factors contributing to the efficacy of anchor strategies, such as strong leadership, stakeholder collaboration, and maximizing the role of foundations and long-term vision. The findings of my study highlight the significance of universities as significant agents of urban change in guiding policymakers, urban planners, and higher education administrators who seek to harness the potential of universities in shaping sustainable and inclusive community engagement. My findings highlight the interplay between universities and their environments rooted in their host cities.

Examining the Mega‐Event Space???Perception Nexus: An Advanced Epicenter Effect Perspective

Previous research emphasizes that residents living within an event’s epicenter (i.e., host city) will exhibit the greatest positive and negative event legacy perceptions. However, given that mega‐events often include multiple event spaces to operationalize hosting (e.g., satellite cities), a single epicenter perspective is challenged. We examined residents’ social legacy perceptions of a mega‐event with multiple event sites to test an epicenter effect within this event ecosystem. Data were collected via surveys from 1,901 residents living within four event spaces: Host City, Satellite, Provincial, and National. Statistical analyses revealed event space significantly influenced residents’ social legacy perceptions but not linearly as previously theorized. Rather, Satellite residents perceived the highest positive legacies, not Host City residents. This evidence advances epicenter effect theorizing by highlighting how various event spaces can amplify or diminish residents’ perceptions. Event managers should leverage multiple event spaces to maximize positive legacy perceptions while minimizing negative legacy perceptions.

Indirect Legacy and Outcomes of Mega‐Sporting Events: The Case of the Qatar 2022 World Cup

Scholars have extensively studied mega‐sporting events’ impact and legacies. However, these studies typically focus on the host city or country. The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the first mega‐sporting event in the Gulf region, evoked a deeper reflection on the legacy of such events. After conducting 21 in-depth interviews with participants from nine Arab nations and utilizing constructivist grounded theory, new perceptions of mega‐event legacy emerged. Arab pride, tangible outcomes, an accessible success model, a technical legacy, making sports a key part of Arab social life, boosting social capital, and a hazy sense of sorrow represented the indirect outcomes of the Qatar 2022 World Cup for Arab countries. The similarities between Qatar and its neighbors have shaped indirect perceptions. Although the perceived outcomes were favorable, some Arab citizens may have experienced conflicting feelings of sorrow. The findings shed light on the legacy of mega‐sporting events beyond the host nation.

All aboard: The effects of port development

Seaports facilitate the fast flow of goods across space, but ports also entail local costs borne by host cities. We use the introduction of containerized shipping to explore the effects of port development. At the local level, we find that seaport development increases city population by making a city more attractive, but this market access effect is offset by costs which make the city less attractive. At the aggregate level, we find that the local costs associated with port development are heterogeneous across cities and reduce aggregate welfare gains. Net of the costs, our results suggest that containerization in seaports increased world welfare by 3.4%.