The Role of Institutions, Politics, and Power Relations in Olympic Transportation Planning: The Case of 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games

Abstract

This paper examines the influence of political structures and institutional cultures on transportation planning for mega-events, focusing on the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games. While host cities typically adopt fixed short-term strategies, their long-term impact depends on whether these strategies are integrated into the city’s broader planning traditions. The research analyses how institutions, politics, and power relations shaped Olympic transportation planning in Atlanta, highlighting both positive and negative outcomes. It investigates the policies adopted by transportation planning institutions, the decision-making processes, and the extent to which short-term event strategies informed long-term planning goals. By emphasising institutional and political dynamics rather than physical infrastructure alone, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of how mega-events affect urban governance and transport planning beyond the event itself.