World Heritage Status can have a significant impact on cities, and this impact can be even more critical for cities hosting major sporting events such as the Olympics. In particular, this article will explore the potential impact of World Heritage Status on host cities for the 2024 Olympics.
To understand the potential impact, it’s essential to understand what World Heritage Status entails. It is a designation by UNESCO that recognizes cultural and natural sites that are “of outstanding universal value” and should be protected for future generations. With the site’s inclusion on the World Heritage List, it is regarded as a global treasure, and its preservation is deemed a universal responsibility.
When a city hosts the Olympics, it is a significant opportunity to showcase its cultural and natural heritage to the world. World Heritage Status provides a unique platform for cities to promote their sites and gain global exposure. The added status may create an additional incentive for businesses to invest in the locality.
However, gaining World Heritage Status also entails strict or rigorous criteria that must be met, ultimately leading to significant costs in obtaining the status. According to reports, it can cost between $10,000 and $100,000 to prepare a successful application, with the figure increasing considerably if expenses such as site management, projects, and potential repairs are included.
In some cases, the government and authorities may not want to spend so much money and effort on gaining World Heritage Status, particularly if they believe their resources are already stretched. In these scenarios, they may not view it as a useful recognition for the city.
Moreover, hosting the Olympics adds its expenses to the city’s budget. Hence, while World Heritage Status may be beneficial to a city in the long term, the costs and operational challenges of hosting the Olympics may require most investment, which may strain the city’s financial resources.
Examples of cities that have had their World Heritage Status impacted by hosting past Olympic games include London, Barcelona, and Sydney. Visitors to London for the 2012 Olympics could witness the regeneration of Newcastle, Manchester, and West Ham sites. It was one way to show London’s flexibility and commitment to global ambitions while showcasing English Heritage.
Barcelona’s hosting of the 1992 Olympics involved significant financial investment, but it led to the re-development of some of the city’s previously neglected areas. The city’s Olympic village ultimately transformed into an affordable housing complex for the local community, and the presence of famous sites such as Gaudi’s architecture and Las Ramblas helped Barcelona’s wealthy tourism sector grow.
In contrast, Sydney has struggled with declining World Heritage Status since the city hosted the 2000 Olympics. The growth of the city’s infrastructure and an expanding population has put pressure on its sites to meet the increased demands. As a result, developments such as the Barangaroo Estuary have impacted Sydney’s World Heritage-listed convict sites, causing tension and putting Sydney’s World Heritage Status in doubt.
In conclusion, the potential impact of World Heritage Status on host cities for the 2024 Olympics can be mixed. While the city’s heritage can benefit from added protection, exposure, and investment, obtaining World Heritage Status involves significant expenses. Furthermore, hosting the Olympics can cause stressors that threaten the heritage site and the city’s World Heritage Status. However, there may still be more benefits than challenges to securing World Heritage Status, cost notwithstanding.
Finally, while the label is prestigious, the city should be cautious to ensure that World Heritage Status is part of an integrated and sustainable urban heritage management plan. The host city should plan thoroughly for the impact of hosting such a significant sporting event on its heritage sites to set a good example for other cities.
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