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Graham Pyatt: Sustainable Urban Planning for the Olympic Legacy in the Megacities of Global South: New Strategies for a Sustainable Mega-Event

Author

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  • Valerio della Sala

    (Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Spain, Sport Research Institute IRE-UAB, Spain; Interdepartmental Research Centre for Urban and Mega-Events Studies (OMERO), Italy)

Abstract

This study explores the complex dynamics between leisure mega-events, such as the Olympic Games, and the broader socio-political, economic, and environmental challenges host cities face, particularly in the Global South. As cities compete to host global events, they must navigate tensions between short-term benefits and long-term sustainability goals. Through case studies of Rio de Janeiro (2016), Beijing (2008), London (2012), Sochi (2014), and Paris (2024), this research examines how mega-events impact urban transformation, social equity, and economic development. These events, often seen as symbols of national pride and global prestige, also act as platforms for activism, contestation, and social change, reflecting underlying tensions within host societies. The study emphasises the importance of sustainable urban planning and citizen participation in shaping the legacies of such events, highlighting the potential of these mega-events to influence broader regional and global development strategies while confronting pressing challenges in the pursuit of sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Valerio della Sala, 2026. "Graham Pyatt: Sustainable Urban Planning for the Olympic Legacy in the Megacities of Global South: New Strategies for a Sustainable Mega-Event," Rivista Internazionale di Scienze Sociali, Vita e Pensiero, Pubblicazioni dell'Universita' Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, vol. 134(1), pages 3-29.
    • Handle: RePEc:vep:journl:y:2026:v:134:i:1:p:3-29
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • O21 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Planning Models; Planning Policy
    • P25 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - Urban, Rural, and Regional Economics

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