Conclusion: Rethinking the Horizons of Failed Bids

Abstract

The process through which mega-event planning and bid logics evolve and are justified has much to tell us about how urban space is produced in the modern city. This concluding chapter emphasizes the need to shift the emphasis of political debate away from the bid itself, to focus instead on the long-term policy making strategies that motivate bidding behind the scenes. By extending the horizons of bid failure, there is the opportunity to gain critical insight into the formation of urban policy, planning, and practice. This chapter reiterates several important lessons learned for cities considering whether or not to bid for the Games, and illustrates that cities have become adept at leveraging the mega-event bidding process for particular purposes.