Leveraging benefits from major events: maximising opportunities for peripheral urban areas

Abstract

Major events are now used strategically by cities to achieve urban development objectives. Although these events can generate positive benefits, they are usually inequitably distributed. This article analyses Stage 1 of the 2007 Tour de France (hosted by London/SE England) to assess how peripheral urban areas can attempt to secure social and economic benefits from a major event. Rather than analysing effects generated automatically, this study concentrates on the design of leverage initiatives: projects pursued in conjunction with events to maximise value. The specific initiatives pursued by, and on behalf of, Deptford in South East London (UK) provide the focus of the analysis. Related interactions between local stakeholders and central organisers are also analysed. The article concludes that positive dissemination of effects can be achieved when a range of event-themed initiatives are conceived at different levels, which offer reciprocal benefits for both central and peripheral stakeholders.

Keywords:

• events
• leverage
• stakeholders
• social and economic impact
• Tour de France