Crossing_Spaces Forum Research Workshop 2013 Urban Regeneration and Mega-Events

Wed 1st May 2013 UCL Bartlett School of Planning, Room 517, Wates House 22 Gordon St, London WC1H 0QB

Moving from a series of discussions on the London 2012 Olympic Games and on their impact on the broader area of the East End and London in the whole, the opening workshop of the Crossing Spaces forum will focus on Urban Regeneration and Mega-Events. The aim is to stimulate a reflection on the relations between mega-events (whether they be the Olympics or other sports and cultural festivals) and the processes of urban regeneration, transformation and change. Far from situating them within the boundaries of a privileged discipline, such processes are intended in the broader sense of the urban, architectural, economic, political, social and cultural impact on the city. Therefore, the workshop is open to contributions from all research areas to provide different perspectives and insights into this multifaceted matter. For that reason, the symposium is organised into thematic areas, rather than disciplines: 1. Ways of thinking: the exploration of methods and possible ways of conceptualising and analysing the relations between mega-events and the processes of urban regeneration; 2. Ways of making: the investigation of specific cases of urban regeneration projects related to a mega event. The criteria at the basis of such distinction are not to establish differences, but to highlight the intimate relations between the thinking and the making in the research and debate around urban regeneration. Each session will feature a keynote speaker who will informally discuss their work and insights on methods and research implications.

PROGRAMME
10:3011:00 11:0011:15 11:1511:45 11:4513:00 Arrival and coffee Welcome Keynote Speaker: Prof. Mike Raco (University College London) PhD panel: Ways of Thinking Chair: Antonio Desiderio (UEL) Annick Leick, University of Luxembourg 13:0013:30 13:3014:30 14:3015:00 15:0016:00
Re-framing the methodology to study large-scale urban project Erick de Melo, Oxford Brookes University Mega-events, governance and social inequality Gynna Millan, DPU-UCL Whose Olympics?: Citizens Documentation of Transformations of Open Spaces in London Jrmie Molho, University of Angers Making a city of arts through big events: the case of Istanbul Sarah Scott, University of the West of Scotland Cultural programming as a tool for urban regeneration

Discussion Lunch Keynote Speaker: Prof. Gavin Poynter (University of East London) PhD panel: Ways of Making Chair: Gabriel Silvestre (UCL) Dr Debbie Sadd, Bournemouth University
Communities beyond place Ozlem Edizel, Brunel University Sustainable Event-led Regeneration: Governance of London 2012 Olympics Patricia Simes Aelbrecht, Bartlett School of Planning UCL A World Fair for the Future: The Multiple Legacies of the Expo 98 Urban Model Irene Chini, Universit IUAV di Venezia Istanbul2010: The role of culture in the political agenda of the AKP

16:0016:30 16:3016:45

Discussion Closing comments

ABSTRACTS Panel 1 - Ways of Thinking

Annick Leick Re-framing the methodology to study large-scale urban projects In the literature mega-events and related urban regeneration endeavors are considered being one type large-scale urban development project (cf. Dziomba & Matuschewski, 2007, p. 7; Lecroart & Palisse, 2007, pp. 19, 22). During the first year of the PhD project Large-Scale Urban Projects in Luxembourg Urban Integration, Governance Practices, Hegemonic Discourses (03/2012-03/2013) pursued at the Institute of Geography & Spatial Planning, University of Luxemburg, amongst other things, a critical literature review has been done. By this means some of the difficulties in providing sufficient understandings of the subject matter could be determined. In this context, Grounded Theory, a methodological framework, aiming to explain empirical situations and framing the reach of the theory derived, has been considered as being appropriate. In view of the symbolic function ascribed to such projects, it can furthermore be asked how far a constructivist research approach can be useful. A research methodology for research on large-scale urban projects was thus developed, which combines the methodologies of Grounded Theory and discourse analysis. I would like to present my work in the first panel and argue that through a constructivist grounded theory, it will be possible, first, to distinguish discourses and examine their differences and similarities, related to different empirical situations, places (in this case, large-scale urban projects). Second, by comparing these discourses to discourses related to other spatial levels of the same planning context (districts, cities, regions), it will be possible to analyze the integration of large-scale urban projects in superordinate planning discourses. Erick Silva Omena de Melo Mega-events, governance and social inequality The main aim of this work is to investigate the peculiarities of governance practices applied in the urban transformation of semiperipheral countries slated to host sports mega-events, with special regard to the forms of control used by dominant actors in order to achieve their objectives. We will also investigate the instruments deployed by social movements and impacted communities to influence decision-making processes. The specific objective is to investigate the possible relations between high levels of informality and inequality found in semi-peripheral countries and their particular processes of dominant coercive control and social movements intervention in the context of mega -event projects. The proposed theoretical framework is based on a Gramscian critique of networks and meta-governance theories, which tend to assume a north-centered perspective that underestimates the role played by hierarchy in governance while overestimating horizontality. This will be combined with a relational view of social dynamics provided by Pierre Bourdieus theory of fields. Lastly, the m ethodology is based on a comparative study involving both primary and secondary sources in Rio de Janeiro and Johannesburg, two semi-peripheral metropolises mega-event hosts, counterbalanced by a case study concerning the planning process of the 2012 London Olympics. The frames and methodology are justified for being best suited to the proposed objectives since they will allow for the procurement of relevant empirical samples and theoretical references. It is worth noting the representativeness of London as a metropolis within a core country and Rio de Janeiro and Johannesburg as typical metropolises in semi-peripheral countries. Gynna Millan Whose Olympics?: Citizens Documentation of Transformations of Open Spaces in London 2012 Branded as the greatest show on earth in 2012, the London Olympics is now part of a historic list of international mega events. It was seen as a demonstration of a citys capacity to plan and deliver massive, locally beneficial infrastructure to schedule while promoting cultural diversity, exchange and tolerance of differences. However, for many, the success of the event is still questionable and the nature of its legacy remains undecided. With the question Whose Olympics? was it for members of the public, passive participants, or was it for the active participants of the Games themselves? Through a citizenmedia inspired actionresearch project conducted at University College London (UCL) we sought to gauge London citizens opinions on how the Olympic Games transformed their city and what was expected to be their legacy. By crowdsourcing volunteers, multiple perspectives and experiences were recorded in video and social media platforms before, during and after the event. Our final objectives were to a) make a documentary that could be given back to the citizens of London and b) create a multimedia digital open archive available to citizens of future hosting cities as well as to those interested in the topic. We concluded that

 Open spaces and parks transformed to host the event with very little or no say from organised civil society groups. The constant counterolympics digital campaigns on social media restricted the freedom of citizens to express their feelings towards the event. Peoples spontaneous Olympic celebrations in their local a reas before and during the Olympics were out of the scope of the interest for mainstream media sources. Citizen media is thus a key vehicle by which such an event can be recorded and remembered and one that is greatly appreciated by those involved. Jrmie Molho Making a city of arts through big events: the case of Istanbul Big cultural events have been argued to stimulate cities cultural and creative sector in the long run. But few researches have tried to assess this impact. In order to do so, this work focuses on the visual arts sector in Istanbul and compares the role of three types of events: international art fairs, biennials, and the European capital of culture. The goal is to assess the role of these events in the governance of the visual arts sector, its geographic distribution within the city and on its international visibility. This research is based on 15 interviews with officials in charge of the three main art fairs, the biennial and the European capital of culture, as well as on an analysis of the press coverage of these events. On the whole, the multiplication of these cultural events in Istanbul has led to an entrepreneurial approach to the development of the visual art sector. Major patrons as well as businessmen from the tourism sector obtained a leading role in the visual arts sector and tried to utilize it to improve the general image of the city. These events have mixed effects on local art world. They attracted a worldwide attention on the short run, as shown by important media coverage, and contributed to growth in the art market. Yet it is doubtful that such a stress on events will be enough to strengthen the art sector in the longer run. A typology is proposed to analyse the specific effects of each type of events according to their organizational logics. Sarah Scott Cultural programming as a tool for urban regeneration A shift in cultural policy and urban policy saw the emergence of culture as a tool for urban regeneration (Coaffee, 2008). This happened in response to the economic restructuring that took place in the 1970s and 1980s within the United Kingdom (Bianchini and Parkinson, 1993). Cultural policy was considered by decision-makers in a number of cities to be a useful means by which to broaden the possibilities of economic gain through varying means, in the hope of balancing out the loss of manufacturing employment that came with the industrial decline of many European cities in the 1970s (Bianchini and Parkinson, 1993). Cultural policy in the 1980s focused on public and private business partnerships and the development of flagship projects aimed at attracting tourists and outside investment (Bianchini and Parkinson, 1993). The European Capital of Culture Award has been used by many destinations to promote culture as a tool for urban regeneration. Cities such as Glasgow have had success in doing so, however, in the broader context, culture as a tool for urban regeneration has had limited success with destinations often left with the bill for cultural landmarks they cannot afford to maintain when funding runs out. With cultural elements being increasingly included in the programmes of major sports events, it is important to consider the decisionmaking processes, which ultimately decide what culture is included in these events and the reasons for their inclusion. Is econometrics key, or do the instrumental and intrinsic values of culture also count?

Panel 2 - Ways of Making

Dr Debbie Sadd Communities beyond place Mega-events and, in particular mega sport-events, are increasingly being used by cities and countries to deliver more than just a sporting competition. The vast sums of money, mainly public sector investment, are offset against the legacy benefits to be attained from the hosting of the event. Although these legacies are difficult to quantify, they are often examined through the local communities perceptions of the impacts and that the wider benefits of legacy must be clearly articulated. Furthermore hosting a mega-event can disturb and disrupt normal developments and activities and mega-events may only serve the interests of a narrow section of the community (Hughes, 1993). Brennan and Brown (2008) believe that a focus on community development is crucial to understanding social well-being and more importantly social change. However, communities are not necessarily formed just because people live in the same locale, but more because of the value and uniqueness of the locale. It is further argued that community now refers more to networks of people with shared identity and norms as well as interests that does not always depend on place (Bradshaw 2008). This research undertaken during the planning stages of London 2012, identifies some of these communities and tells their stories of how they were impacted by the Games developments and what the long term future holds for these communities post the Games.

Ozlem Edizel Sustainable Event-led Regeneration: Governance of London 2012 Olympics From the 1980s, urban governance has started to deal with entrepreneurial strategies such as new ways to foster and encourage local development and employment growth, instead of the managerial practices of earlier decades focusing on the local provision of services, facilities and benefits to urban populations (Harvey, 1989). Therefore, boosterist policies as the main element of urban entrepreneurialism have started to gain more attention from city and central governments as a result of globalisation and place competitiveness. There is a widespread trend towards the use of mega-events as a boosterist policy to promote a city, stimulate the local economy and regenerate rundown post-industrial areas and communities. Multiple stakeholder perspectives are essential when analysing the outcomes of mega-event based regeneration. In order to have sustainable event-led regeneration, the governance has to be sustainable as well. Full integration of residents and other stakeholders in the decision making period for bidding, marketing and assessing the event is therefore crucial for having what Getz (2009) calls sustainable and responsible events as well as related regeneration projects. This study examines the contradictions between mega-event stakeholders and explores the governance structure of mega-event led regeneration. Regeneration in the Lower Lea Valley, London 2012 Olympic Games was staged, is analysed as a case study area. Research methods include document analysis, semi-structured interviews with the stakeholders in the planning and organization of London 2012 and observations. The primary research analysis provides a sound base from which the planning of more sustainable major events can be undertaken in the future and the evaluation of their impact more fully measured across a wider stakeholder community. Patricia Simes Aelbrecht A World Fair for the Future: The Multiple Legacies of the Expo 98 Urban Model The feeling of wellbeing, progress and national pride of World's Fairs/ Expos was often short-lived. Grand plans and buildings were constructed to express these ideologies. Money was never spared. Because Expos rarely envisioned concrete urban plans for the future, most of them fell rapidly in decline, stayed abandoned, and burdened with massive debts. In this uncertain climate, the Lisbon Expo 98 marked a change in attitude towards the urban and architectural design of Worl d Expos. It was the first World Fair to effectively adopt an urban and architectural plan for the future: from re-used iconic buildings to the use of the urban plan as a trigger to regenerate a post-industrial site. Unlike most previous fairs, where an abrupt shift from celebration to decline occurred, the Lisbon Expo continually celebrates its existence. Ten years onwards the Lisbon Expo site has been acknowledged by the public as a thriving neighborhood and financial district, and has received some scholarly attention, while its organizers have been invited to provide consultancy services to other Expos and other urban regeneration projects in the world. Despite this rising interest in Expo 98, little research has been done on the urban plan as a new Expo model. Most of the focus has been placed on the general planning lessons rather than on its role as an Expo. However, in this paper I will demonstrate that the Lisbon Expo 98 also represents a shift in attitude towards the design of World Fairs urban plans and provides important lessons for urban regeneration. Irene Chini Istanbul2010: The role of culture in the political agenda of the AKP In the last decades major changes in the urban governance have occurred, as a result of the increasing competition between cities on the global level to attract money, tourists, and investors. Culture (which is also being vaguely identified with concepts such as creativity and innovation) has played a key role in urban development strategies. Such interpretation of culture, however, raises important issues in terms of social sustainability, democracy and inclusion as it has been employed to foster corporate interests. As a part of a neoliberal strategy aimed at westernising Turkey and closing the gap with Europe, culture is now perceived b u the AKP (the party leading the government) as an extremely powerful instrument for the promotion of the country and for the branding strategy of Istanbul. During the European Capital of Culture year, culture as catalyst of corporate interest has been translated into the material transformation of urban space. Such transformation deteriorated the physical, economic, social and cultural tissue of Istanbul and determined problems such as social polarization, gentrification, lack of social