Host Cities of the Winter Olympics: Between Urban and Regional Development

Host Cities of the Winter Olympics: Between Urban and Regional Development presents an in-depth, multidisciplinary examination of the spatial, social, and policy dynamics that arise from hosting the Winter Olympic Games. With the Olympic Village situated as a central node in the narrative, the volume interrogates how these spaces—designed for a brief period—catalyse permanent and transformative changes at urban, metropolitan, and regional scales. Drawing on quantitative spatial analysis, archival research, and a critical review of policy frameworks, the book traces the historical evolution of Olympic Villages from modest, functional prototypes to ambitious, multi-scalar urban regeneration projects. Specific attention is given to contemporary questions of legacy, sustainability, and the diverse outcomes of mega-event interventions. Challenging simplistic narratives, the analysis reveals both the opportunities and contradictions inherent in Olympic city-making, offering comparative case studies and pioneering a rigorous classification of Olympic accommodation models across the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Serving as a vital resource for academics, urban practitioners, and policymakers, this monograph combines original empirical research with forward-looking perspectives, ultimately positioning the Olympic Village as a crucible for reimagining the spatial, social and environmental futures of host territories.