Mega-Event Organization Considering Safety, Security and Resilience

Insights from the Milan World Expo 2015 and London Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012

Keywords: Mega-event, Disaster Risk Reduction, Resilience, Safety, Security, Milan EXPO 2015, London Olympic Games 2012

Abstract

Cities become globally significant and attract national and international interest from all over the world with the help of mega-events, such as World EXPO and the Olympic Games. Mega-events highly require the involvement of various actors working together for the same overall purpose, although these actors have the responsibility of diverse target groups and require to use different resources. In his paper, we aim to understand the role of organizations in mega-events in relation to the socio-technical systems they operate. We consider security, safety and resilience articulated in six areas: planning, construction of the site, training, collaboration, communication and legacy, in three different time slots: before, during and after the event. Results include insights to enhance multi-organizational culture-based practice. The field studies conducted in Milan in 2015 and 2016 on Milan World EXPO 2015, and in London in 2012 and 2016 on the London Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012. The research findings are based on the experience of the real actors involved in these two events. The findings suggest several courses of action for decision-makers and emergency planners to safety and security design strategies that can facilitate resilience as a legacy of a mega-event.

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Author Biographies

Funda Atun Girgin, University of Twente

He is Assistant Professor of Strategic Spatial Planning at University of Twente. She obtained her PhD in Spatial Planning and Urban Development from Politecnico di Milano (Cum Laude). She has participated in a number of EU funded projects on environmental disaster risk management and climate change adaptation. She is currently working in the Building Resilient Urban Communities Project, funded under EU Erasmus+ Program. She is the co-founder of “The Others and Disasters” non-profit organization established in Milan in 2016.

Ozlem Edizel Tasci, Boston University

He is Adjunct Professor at the Metropolitan College of Boston University, MA. Her specialization is particularly around mega-events, urban regeneration, urban governance, participatory planning (P-GIS) and sustainable development (climate change, water management). Over the years, she has engaged in several funded research projects in the UK and Turkey. She has been the co-organizer of RSA-Mega-Events, Regional Development and Regeneration Research Network since 2011.

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Published
2019-12-19
How to Cite
Atun GirginF., & Edizel TasciO. (2019). Mega-Event Organization Considering Safety, Security and Resilience. TeMA - Journal of Land Use, Mobility and Environment, 12(3), 249-264. https://doi.org/10.6092/1970-9870/6269