Urban strategies and post-event legacy: the cases of summer Olympic cities

Abstract

This paper analyses the use of mega-event strategies in the development of Summer Olympic host cities since 1992, with a focus on the long-term legacies of such events. While cities often highlight marketing, image building, and large-scale infrastructure projects, less attention has been paid to the enduring impacts on economic growth, social development, and environmental upgrading. Drawing on fieldwork and literature review, the research compares urban strategies adopted by different host cities, examining programme definition, organisational structures, and development processes. The findings suggest that an integrated approach—spanning pre-event preparation, event hosting, and post-event development—is essential to achieve balanced and sustainable outcomes. In particular, strategies should ensure the establishment of economic functions, social integration, and the adaptive re-use of physical legacies to maximise the long-term benefits of hosting the Olympic Games.