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International UEL conference tackles the legacy question

Tuesday 11 September 2012

Collide Festival

Academics and practitioners from across the world will be coming to the ATLAS Conference, hosted this year at the University of East London’s Royal Docks Business School, on Thursday 13 September, to discuss the impact and legacy of major events on their host cities.  

The conference will be supported by a £1.1 million pan-European research initiative co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund’s INTERREG IVC programme – the Zero Impact Cultural Heritage Network (ZEN) project. The project, which involves researchers and practitioners from 10 European countries, will study the impact of different size events on ailing historic town centres across Europe.

Dr. Raoul Bianchi, Principal Lecturer at UEL’s RDBS and Chair of the ATLAS Conference said: “Despite the impressive sweep of medals by Team GB and the generosity of the public towards the London Olympic and Paralympic Games, many questions still remain unanswered regarding the overall benefits and long-term legacy of such a costly mega-event.”

“We are therefore privileged to have an exciting range of internationally-renowned key note speakers, as well as a fascinating array of papers at the ATLAS Conference, to consider these and other issues related to tourism, leisure, sports and events, in what promises to be a stimulating and enjoyable conference.”

The ZEN project aims to build on the positive effects that events and festivals have on tourism, the local economy and cultural diversity in towns and cities across Europe, but will also investigate how  more adverse impacts such as  noise, water pollution and waste can be minimised.

The project will also aim to influence local and national policy across the European Union to ensure the sustainability of events and festivals in harmony with their surroundings and the wider environment.

Ian Bathgate, Director of Knowledge Exchange at RDBS, endorsed this unique project and extended an invitation for local authorities, local communities, universities and the private sector to participate in the research, he said: “Events with clear impact and legacy goals are key to a sustainable future, particularly at a time when our high streets are suffering the effects of public funding cuts and the global economic downturn. This is an exciting research opportunity for UEL. The ZEN project partnership brings together universities, regional agencies and city councils from 10 European countries with a common shared mission – to take current knowledge forward by developing an integrated international approach to event impact assessment.”

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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