Creating ‘Champion Cities’: Delivering Enduring Urban Legacies

Cities across continents have leveraged mega events to lead urban renewal, and attract world attention. While Barcelona successfully capitalised on the 1992 Olympics, London’s run-down East End is undergoing a massive regeneration before the 2012 Olympics. The idea of ‘Champion Cities’ is an acknowledgement of the criticality of sports, and culture to the development of urban form. Hosting mega events offers the city an opportunity to transform its built environment, economy, and social landscape. Given the fact that tourism is increasingly becoming an important revenue source, an increased emphasis on and investment in the ‘software’ of the city gives it an enhanced competitive edge. This session will employ the example of Delhi, given the pending 2010 Commonwealth Games, to deliberate on how best to maximise the opportunities presented by mega events to create lasting legacies that meet the larger aims of urban renewal and development.

Confirmed Speakers

• Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister of National Capital Territory of Delhi
• Kiran Karnik, President, India Habitat Centre
• Paul Taylor, Chief, Office of the Executive Director, UN-Habitat