The Olympics: A Complex Catalyst for Urban Redevelopment

The allure of the Olympics is palpable and undeniable. Later this month, my home country of France will host an estimated 15 million visitors and millions more viewers of the Olympics (July 26 - August 11) and Paralympics (August 28 - September 8). This will be France's sixth occasion hosting the Olympics and I will be proudly present in Paris to admire the tennis players smashing yellow balls. Whether you admire the Games for their athleticism or national pride, they deliver a spectacular experience. People generally perceive winning the bid to host the Olympics as an honor. However, there is growing concern about the negative financial, environmental, and social impacts. The Olympics is a complex catalyst for urban redevelopment.

The allure of the Olympics is palpable and undeniable. Later this month, my home country of France will host an estimated 15 million visitors and millions more viewers of the Olympics (July 26 – August 11) and Paralympics (August 28 – September 8). People generally perceive winning the bid to host the Olympics as an honor. However, there is growing concern about the negative financial, environmental, and social impacts. The Olympics is a complex catalyst for urban redevelopment.

Trash Talk: From Litter to Illegal Dumping

From litter to illegal dumping, solid waste management is a big and complex issue impacting community health, environmental sustainability, and city budgets. Dilapidated buildings, littered streets, and neglected public spaces affect a city’s aesthetics and profoundly impact its residents’ quality of life. Researchers at the University of Toronto found that “perceived beauty or aesthetic character […]

Mega Events and Urban Transformation

Mega sporting events decorative feature image showing an AI generated scene of stadiums with a backdrop of an urban skyline and foreground of construction vehicles

As we approach major sporting events like the 2024 NCAA college football championship in Houston and Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, urban transformation initiatives and preparation for these events have come into focus. “There is perhaps no larger sports policy decision than the decision to host or bid to host a mega-event like the […]