Mega events: a regional phenomenon and research network

The contributions to this Survey issue provide a contemporary insight to the mega-event phenomena, based on recent projects and their regional dimension, including the ‘regional’ European Capital of Culture in Aix-en-Provence/Marseilles 2013. The mega-events reviewed here range from Olympics - summer and winter; aspirational International Expositions or ‘EXPOs’; to completed Capitals of Culture and unsuccessful bids. This latter issue is important since in the competitive world of mega-events, many cities and regions bid, but most are unsuccessful. Many rebid in successive rounds, but the process is generally part of a wider regional development and regeneration regime which continues even if the mega-event is not in fact held. Mega-events can therefore be situated in the ongoing era of the competitive, entrepreneurial city, with regional impacts evident over significant periods of time. The Survey issue arises from the RSA Mega Events Research Network convened by the author. In addition to the Survey Introduction is Evans' article 'London 2012 and Regional Regeneration: Legacy Games' (p.11-13)

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