ABSTRACT
Stadium- and arena-anchored development projects continue to be significant instruments in urban redevelopment. Attention during these projects is typically focused on the construction of the new facility, with less emphasis placed on the facilities left behind, which is defined in this chapter as shadow stadia. Shadow stadia are vacated sites once occupied by major professional or amateur sports venues, where redevelopment of new stadia on that site has been deemed untenable. Some shadow stadia sites are repurposed for mixed-use development, while others are demolished or remain abandoned for years after facility use ceases. The environmental impacts of shadow stadia sites are not fully understood, as limited research exists on the impacts on neighborhoods immediately adjacent to pre-existing venues or the environmental impacts related to the loss of the venue and its events. This chapter defines and categorizes shadow stadia globally, then explores and considers conceptualizations of environmental justice via historical North American cases of shadow stadia. From these cases and in drawing from relevant literature, recommendations for environmental impacts of shadow stadia and arena-anchored urban development projects will be presented for local governments, the development industry, policymakers, community advocates, and academics alike.
