Mega and small events in the seaside town for sustainable urban change: case studies of Lorient and Valencia

Abstract

Generally, the mega events are considered by the cities as an opportunity to realize new architectures and infrastructures, to upgrade public spaces and give international resonance to the city itself. In many contemporary cities, economic restructuring and urban redevelopment have placed events at the centre of strategies for change.

Often, however, these interventions require a very short time and high investments, which do not always have a lasting effect over time, with buildings and spaces that, after the event, are transformed into unused public spaces or buildings that need to be retrained.

Coastal cities represent a privileged field of analysis for deepening dynamics of development and regeneration processes connected to events.

Some cities enhanced their maritime identity by developing activities related to sailing, racing and pleasure boating, promoting social and economic growth, as well as the redevelopment of brownfield sites. The recovery of this identity is the starting point for improving urban quality and attracting major events, developing competitiveness in a virtuous circle.

The image of these cities improved, at local, national and international level, promoting regeneration processes involving policy makers, city users and stakeholders.

In successful cases, mega and small events are pieces of a larger mosaic, a vision of the city founded on identity maritime and waterfront redevelopment project was been able to strengthen relations with the existing urban areas.

The paper proposes two European case studies, the cities of Lorient and Valencia, highlighting the role of long-term planning in regeneration processes.

The city of Lorient, in keeping with its history, began a process of regeneration based on its culture of maritime city. Activities related to the sea have been enhanced, creating spaces to sailing and yachting, which led to the redevelopment of brownfield sites and waterfront area. This process of re-training, linked to its historical identity, the construction of new infrastructure and the new economic and functional attractors, are allowing its nomination as a venue for Mega Sailing Events. The results are a better quality of life for residents, business development and tourism.

The second case study concerns the city of Valencia. It represents an emblematic example because the designation as host city of the 32^nd America's Cup seals a long process of urban regeneration. This event projected the city on the international scene and strengthen processes and strategies already started.

The rehabilitation of the historic port area for the 32^nd America's Cup, together with important interventions such as La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias and the Formula 1 circuit, gave a new face to the city in the last decades. The metamorphosis of the city shows the contribution of important contemporary architects.

The waterfront redevelopment was designed not only for the sailing competition but, above all, as opportunity to provide the city with new educational, cultural, recreation and leisure services, introducing new activities to promote tourism and hospitality.

The importance and emblematic value of Valencia case attracted the interest of experts, not only planners and architects but also specialists in tourism marketing and of sports event management.