Inclusivity as an Olympic Event at the 2010 Vancouver Winter games

Abstract

This study examines the 2010 Winter Olympics held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and focuses on the theme of social inclusivity. From the perspective of local low-income communities, the Games absorbed resources that might have addressed homelessness and other service needs. However, given the priorities of the governments elected since 2000, it may be argued that by drawing attention to the needs of the region's poor and First Nations, the Olympics helped deliver funding that would have gone elsewhere. This is not a statement in support of hosting the Olympics, but a personal observation as a former senior planner with the City of Vancouver who joined with others in calling for national and provincial housing and urban infrastructure strategies. The main argument here is that it should not be necessary to host a mega-event in order to address urgent social and environmental issues.

Keywords:

• housing
• planning
• 2010 Winter Olympic Games