When looking for an Olympic host city from the 1970s on, I wanted to look for a city whose very image had been transformed as a result. Barcelona sprung to mind first but perhaps it was because I was only 6 at the time of the games. The articles I found talking about urban regeneration in Barcelona following the games were written in regards to the upcoming London 2012 Olympics. To me it never seemed as if the city of London was in any need of a makeover as far as image went and although London certainly has its dodgy areas (as every major city does) from my limited knowledge it does not seem as if London is in any dire need of urban renewal. Nevertheless the articles centered on the definite changes that Barcelona has undergone around its Olympic developments. What was once a dingy, unused port became the Olympic Village and is now an attractive neighborhood. However, Barcelona underwent a change that some Chicagoans fear will repeat itself. The cost of living in the city almost tripled following the games and many of its poorer inhabitants were priced out. The poor sections of the city of Chicago are already being squeezed out of the perfect city that some in power relentlessly market. The Olympics could cause some of that movement to increase.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
2016 Olympics Barcelona
When looking for an Olympic host city from the 1970s on, I wanted to look for a city whose very image had been transformed as a result. Barcelona sprung to mind first but perhaps it was because I was only 6 at the time of the games. The articles I found talking about urban regeneration in Barcelona following the games were written in regards to the upcoming London 2012 Olympics. To me it never seemed as if the city of London was in any need of a makeover as far as image went and although London certainly has its dodgy areas (as every major city does) from my limited knowledge it does not seem as if London is in any dire need of urban renewal. Nevertheless the articles centered on the definite changes that Barcelona has undergone around its Olympic developments. What was once a dingy, unused port became the Olympic Village and is now an attractive neighborhood. However, Barcelona underwent a change that some Chicagoans fear will repeat itself. The cost of living in the city almost tripled following the games and many of its poorer inhabitants were priced out. The poor sections of the city of Chicago are already being squeezed out of the perfect city that some in power relentlessly market. The Olympics could cause some of that movement to increase.