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Resisting Urban Spectacle: The 1984 Louisiana World Exposition and the Contradictions of Mega Events

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  • K.F. Gotham

    (Department of Sociology, Tulane University, 220 Newcomb, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70118, USA, kgotham@tulane.edu)

Abstract

This paper examines the planning and staging of the 1984 Louisiana Exposition, the last world’s fair in the United States, and makes comparisons with other US world’s fairs, to provide insight into the sources of opposition and resistance to urban spectacles. Drawing on the work of Guy Debord and his concept of the ‘society of the spectacle’, this paper advances a conception of mega events as spectacles of contestation that embody contradictory tendencies and articulate conflictual and opposing meanings of urban space and reality. Rather than obscuring and camouflaging urban problems, mega events like world’s fairs express social inequalities and display highly contradictory urban representations that can spawn resistant agendas, complicate élite redevelopment agendas and divide pro-growth coalitions. Through a critical interrogation of the Debordian concept of spectacle, the analysis in this paper suggests a new theory of mega events as sites of struggle and articulators of political dissent, a conception that helps to explain the increasing international opposition and protest against the Olympics and the mega-event strategy.

Suggested Citation

  • K.F. Gotham, 2011. "Resisting Urban Spectacle: The 1984 Louisiana World Exposition and the Contradictions of Mega Events," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 48(1), pages 197-214, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:48:y:2011:i:1:p:197-214
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098009360230
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bent Flyvbjerg, 2007. "Policy and Planning for Large-Infrastructure Projects: Problems, Causes, Cures," Environment and Planning B, , vol. 34(4), pages 578-597, August.
    2. Harry H. Hiller, 2000. "Mega‐events, Urban Boosterism and Growth Strategies: An Analysis of the Objectives and Legitimations of the Cape Town 2004 Olympic Bid," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(2), pages 449-458, June.
    3. Flyvbjerg,Bent & Bruzelius,Nils & Rothengatter,Werner, 2003. "Megaprojects and Risk," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521009461.
    4. Andre Jansson, 2005. "Re-encoding the Spectacle: Urban Fatefulness and Mediated Stigmatisation in the 'City of Tomorrow'," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 42(10), pages 1671-1691, September.
    5. Drew Whitelegg, 2000. "Going for Gold: Atlanta's Bid for Fame," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(4), pages 801-817, December.
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