Ninth International Conference on Sport & Society

Abstract

This papers examines the consequence of regeneration in the aftermath of the London 2012 Olympic Games. In particular, the issues of gentrification and displacement are discussed in examining the unique impact that the Olympic Games have had, and continue to have, in reshaping social and urban areas across the London Olympic Boroughs. Legacy has become a core dimension of mega-event bidding and hosting strategies. Since 1999, the principle of sustainable development forms (a discretionary) part of the contract between the IOC and host city. However, one of the impacts of regeneration is to create an environment that is appealing to property investors, which increases property values and can lead to the displacement of the very people that regeneration seeks to assist: low-income families (Lees et al, 2008). The paper is based on mixed method research, which facilitated both confirmatory data (the House Price Index - HPI) and exploratory case studies. The qualitative data is based on a “key case” approach. Supplementing the case studies, 54 questionnaires were administered to random residents, with the objective of establishing the interviewee’s positive and negative perceptions towards London 2012 legacy. The HPI provides evidence that, between July 2009 and July 2014, the Borough of Hackney has experienced enormous levels of gentrification-related house price growth (82%), significantly above the London average (48%). The qualitative case studies provided rich and contrasting data.