ABSTRACT
Events can be part of localised regeneration (see Chapter 4) or wider physical regeneration projects (Chapter 5) in urban areas, and they can be used to assist social aims and disadvantaged groups (Chapter 6). They can also be deployed in more general efforts to change the direction of development in cities that have endured de-industrialisation. The redirection of post-industrial cities using events is the focus of this chapter. The discussion explores the different ways events can be used as part of general attempts to revitalise urban economies. Event projects can be the inspiration or stimulus for a change in direction and/or they can be used to symbolise and communicate shifts. On a more practical level, events can be used as vehicles for nurturing new industries. Emerging industries can benefit from the sites and structures developed for events, but also from more intangible resources that events have helped to develop – including networks, contacts and expertise. Perhaps the most important intangible resource for a contemporary city is its image, and events have been used to assist the re-imaging of post-industrial cities. These different roles of major events are discussed in this chapter.
