Towards an Olympic legacy for all

Abstract

The image of Olympic Games is mixed. The Games are a monumental celebration, but its organisation and legacy are also seen as a threat to the sustainability of the city. This research distinguished three main actors, each with different aims for supporting the Games; The International Olympic committee, the host-city and the citizens of the host-city. Research showed that especially the wishes of the citizens are neglected in the organisation and legacy of the Olympics. This graduation project aims to enhance this citizens by researching the potentials for the Olympic legacy to enhance the social sustainability of the host city. If so, the Olympic Games can be of great additional value to the city and its inhabitants. This research looks into the concepts of mega-event planning, Olympic legacy, urban regeneration and social sustainability and the interrelation between these concepts. Eventually it sets up a theoretical framework for enhancing social sustainability in decisions based on location, projects and legacy of the Olympic Games. To evaluate social sustainability in former Olympic Games, a case study to 2012 Olympics in London is conducted. This knowledge is used to create a strategy and design for a future Olympic Games in the city district of Rotterdam South. The Olympic areas are located in Zuiderpark and Varkenoord North, with the neighbourhoods in-between as focus area. To counter the severe socio-economic and -spatial problems in this city district, a strategy consisting of seven proposals for a social Olympic legacy are implemented and further explored in design interventions. Eventually a design is made for Varkenoord North with use of these strategic proposals and changing the urban environment to a sport, transport and business node, creating a new identity as Feyenoord city. The area will be the representative image of a renewed Rotterdam South by using the Olympic Games for sustainable regeneration. During the graduation research design principles for enhancing social sustainability within Olympic legacy are gathered and collected in a separate booklet “Towards an Olympic legacy for all” Book 02.