Olympic Waterfronts: An Evaluation of Wasted Opportunities and Lasting Legacies

Abstract

Mega-events such as the Olympic Games are powerful tools for city-branding and urban development, carrying the ability to create lasting physical, political, social, and economic legacies. Waterfront redevelopment has become a primary mechanism for revitalizing urban spaces, especially through brownfield requalification, and the Olympics have not been indifferent to this trend. Several recent editions have engaged in the rehabilitation of urban waterfronts. To analyze common mistakes that may impair the quality of these interventions, we apply a revised version of a binary evaluation tool to nine such Olympic Waterfronts, starting with Barcelona 1992, assessing their contexts, budgets, programs, plans, and environmental integration. The results show that the Olympic Waterfront can drastically change the image of the city, greatly contributing to the perceived success of the event’s legacy and creating new urban centralities. However, the inadequate management in the planning, delivery and, especially, legacy stages of the event can compromise this “Olympic Effect”. The test application of the evaluation tool proved successful in the context of mega-event planning and post-event transformation. It could potentially be useful in informing present and future decision-making regarding waterfront regeneration projects by highlighting pressure-points that, if not addressed, may hinder the future success of the interventions.

Circles of Coastal Sustainability and Emerald Growth Perspectives for Transitional Waters under Human Stress

“…Bearing this in mind, the identified stark contrast between the widely spread private household ownership for 'haves' and soaring prices to buy or rent a house or a condo for 'have-nots' in Liepāja City and the adjacent seacoast looks odd. This paradox can be explained by a global feature that TW urban waterfronts in lagoons (e.g., Venice), sand bars (e.g., Miami Beach), and estuaries (e.g., Shenzhen) are among the most appealing areas for real estate developers [103,104].…”

URBAN REGENERATION OF WATERFRONTS: Literature Review

“…Some authors approach the topic by ref erring to plans, with emphasis on integrated plans (Theodora & Spanogianni, 2022). Finally, some studies ref er to event planning as a starting point f or waterf ront regeneration (Pinto & Dos Santos, 2022).…”

Towards a Holistic Framework for the Olympic-Led Sustainable Urban Planning Process

“…• Accessibility is crucial for the success of the Olympic Games and for leaving a positive and lasting legacy in the host city [59], but the Olympics are viewed by many experts as posing the greatest transport challenges that host cities ever experience [60]. The IOC places considerable emphasis on accessibility as a key criterion for evaluating Olympic cities and their hosting capabilities [61].…”

“…It also means enhancing connectivity, especially through sustainable modes of transport, linking residential areas, sport venues, and surrounding areas, to facilitate the daily mobility of residents [65]. Additionally, it encompasses the seamless integration of new projects into the urban fabric, which is challenging due to a certain type of "grandiose" design that complicates their integration into the existing urban context [59]. Moreover, integration aims to enhance social inclusivity and equality within the host city by addressing urban and social challenges, such as gentrification, poverty, inequality, and access to education [59,61].…”

“…• Adaptability and flexibility are crucial elements in the planning and execution of the Olympics. Adaptability and flexibility involve designing venues and structures with the capacity to serve different functions beyond the event [59,61]. This approach helps create facilities and infrastructure that can be repurposed or adapted for various uses after the Games, aligning with the long-term needs and priorities of the host city.…”