The Party's Great, but What About the Hangover?: The Housing and Social Impacts of Mega-Events with Special Reference to the 2000 Sydney Olympics

Mega-events, such as the Olympic Games and world fairs, are a major factor in tourism development, urban revitalization, and urban reimaging strategies. However, despite their economic, social, and political significance, it is only within the last decade that substantial attention has been paid to their impact and legacies. This article provides a discussion of the scope and definition of mega-events, an analysis of the reasons why mega-events are held, and offers an examination of the housing and social impact of mega-events on host cities and regions with special reference to the housing and social planning of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The article concludes that the focus on the economic dimension of events is often at the expense of social, environmental, and political analyses.