Photo from Qi Li via Unsplash.com.
The Summer Olympics, in addition to being a time-honored tradition that captivates a global audience for two weeks every four years, is also a lesson in sustainability, resilient planning, phased investments, and equitable development. Many recent and historical host cities have been criticized for their lack of planning, oftentimes investing in opulent displays of wealth when the basic needs of their residents go unmet (Bird’s Nest anyone?). But many are also lauded for their climate-friendly planning, transit investments, or reuse of facilities for public benefit after the games.
As the 2024 Paris Olympics come to an end and Los Angeles prepares to host the next games, what lessons can we learn and incorporate to make sure that the residents of host cities can benefit from the Olympics?
What went wrong and right in planning for the last few Olympic Games?
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2016
The economic recession in Brazil leading up to, and following, the games led to additional financial strain and discontent within the country.
Incomplete and/or inadequate infrastructure created transportation disruptions and maintenance issues that caused difficulty during the Olympics.
Many of the venues built for the games were not maintained or utilized after the Olympics ended.
The Olympics led to gentrification and displacement in neighborhoods within Rio.
Tokyo, Japan, 2020
Tokyo built temporary structures that were made to be dismantled and repurposed with post-game use in mind. They were designed to minimize waste and create long-term community benefits.
The Athletes’ Village was designed to be converted into housing units after the games to address Tokyo’s affordable housing needs.
Paris, France, 2024
The recent Olympics aimed for carbon neutrality and also adhered to green building standards with new construction.
Paris valued a circular economy approach, and, like Tokyo, focused on recycling and reusing materials, including using temporary structures that would be dismantled and repurposed - an approach pioneered by architects and designers of the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Also similar to Tokyo, the Athletes’ Village is planned to be repurposed into housing beginning in November.
Photo from Frans van Heerden via Pexels.com.
What can future Olympic Games do better?
As Los Angeles gears up to host the 2028 Olympic Games, the city is incorporating lessons learned from Rio, Tokyo, Paris, and other recent Olympic games. They plan to make use of existing venues wherever possible, and new construction and renovation projects for the Games will adhere to high sustainability standards, including LEED certification and green building practices. Like Tokyo and Paris, their goal is carbon neutrality. Their winning bid promised to create the most climate-friendly Olympics ever, including creating a car-free experience (in L.A.? Gasp!).
To accomplish this goal, they are investing in massive public transit upgrades and expansions. It remains to be seen whether or not they will succeed, but the effort is a promising push in the right direction for future Olympic games and the city of Los Angeles, which is one of the United States’ most congested.
Future hosts of the Olympics should learn from the successes (and failures) of recent games, invest in planning for both hosting the games and, perhaps more importantly, ensure that residents of cities can reap the benefits of massive investments after the games. Prioritizing housing, transit, and other infrastructure can ensure that the Olympics do more good than harm to host cities.
The Olympic spirit is about bringing people together and future Olympics will bring sustainable progress to host cities. Contact Fourth Economy to learn more about how we can support your community's sustainable and resilient planning, phased investments, and equitable development.