The Role of Major Events in the Creation of Social Legacy: a Case Study of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games
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THE ROLE OF MAJOR EVENTS IN THE CREATION OF SOCIAL LEGACY: A CASE STUDY OF THE GLASGOW 2014 COMMONWEALTH GAMES BRIONY SHARP A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy QUEEN MARGARET UNIVERSITY 2017 Abstract The importance of major event legacy has become increasingly vital for host cities and their organising partners. Much of the earlier studies in this area focused on tangible legacies such as economic and infrastructural. Contemporary research has seen a shift towards potential intangible legacies including social legacies and how events engage with their communities. The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games is used a case study in order to establish pathways towards the creation of social legacies. This study aims to advance the current literature on the notion of social legacy by conceptualising legacy planning and implementation through the experiences of local policy makers, organisers and coordinators; local community members living within the regeneration area; and, a wider demographic of volunteers involved in Games related programmes. A mixed method approach was employed for this research consisting of interviews, focus groups and an online survey. The data collected was analysed in line with emerging themes. The main themes in this thesis focus upon social impacts relating to individuals, communities, and image, status and sense of place. First, the social impacts for individuals emerging from volunteering, personal development, and an increase in social capital are examined to determine potential routes to create social legacies. Second, an analysis of potential social legacy routes relating to communities examines social impacts of community engagement, post-industrial event-led urban regeneration, the development of social capital, and issues relating to social impacts in communities. Next, social impacts concerning image, status, and sense of place are presented in relation to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games to highlight social legacy creation routes through changes in reputation, civic pride, and sense of identity. Before concluding, stakeholder perspectives are analysed with regard to the creation of a social legacy from hosting the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games with consideration to partnership legacies, knowledge exchange, and future implications. Key words: events management, Commonwealth Games, social legacy, volunteering i Acknowledgments The completion of this thesis would not have been possible without a number of individuals. I would like to sincerely thank Dr Rebecca Finkel (Director of Studies), first for her invaluable commentary at every stage of this experience, and for her unwavering support, encouragement and inspiration. I would also like to thank Dr Cathy Matheson for her thorough feedback, assistance and honesty, and Dr Claire Seaman for her continued support and direction. Their input and critique have helped develop each area of this thesis. I thank you all. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my interview participants, focus group members and online survey respondents. The entire premise of this thesis was based on a need to examine each of your experiences, it was made easier and enjoyable by the positive and welcoming reaction I was given. To all of my colleagues at QMU, and especially to those who are now dear friends, I feel so very honoured to have had this experience surrounded by such supportive and motivational people. This challenging journey has undoubtedly felt more achievable and fun having you around to share it with. I would like to express my thanks to all of my family and friends. My friends for their continued understanding, my parents and sister, for their constant belief in my ability and willingness to listen, I am truly grateful for everything you have done to motivate me to succeed. Finally, I would like to thank Michael for his unfaltering support in every way throughout the duration of this experience. I could not have done this without you. ii Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................................ i Acknowledgments ........................................................................................................................... ii Contents ......................................................................................................................................... iii List of Tables ................................................................................................................................ vii List of Figures .............................................................................................................................. viii List of Graphs .............................................................................................................................. viii 1.0 Introduction to thesis ........................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Aims & Objectives .............................................................................................................. 3 1.3 Conceptual background....................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Case study: Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games ........................................................... 6 1.4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 6 1.4.2 Event-led regeneration ................................................................................................ 7 1.4.3 Legacy ....................................................................................................................... 14 1.5 Structure ............................................................................................................................ 20 2.0 Legacy and Major Events ................................................................................................. 22 2.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 22 2.2 Conceptualising Legacy .................................................................................................... 23 2.2.1 Legacy development ................................................................................................. 23 2.2.2 Defining legacy ......................................................................................................... 24 2.2.3 Typologies ................................................................................................................. 28 2.2.4 Time .......................................................................................................................... 31 2.3 Event legacy ...................................................................................................................... 34 2.3.1 Commonwealth Games legacy .................................................................................. 35 2.4 Event regeneration ............................................................................................................ 42 iii 2.4.1 Urban regeneration legacy ........................................................................................ 43 2.4.2 Infrastructural development ...................................................................................... 48 2.4.3 Legacy planning & governance ................................................................................ 52 2.5 Summary ........................................................................................................................... 60 3.0 Social Legacy .................................................................................................................... 61 3.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 61 3.2 Event social legacies ......................................................................................................... 61 3.2.1 Individual impacts ..................................................................................................... 64 3.2.2 Community impact .................................................................................................... 77 3.2.3 Image, status and sense of place ............................................................................... 81 3.3 Summary ........................................................................................................................... 86 4.0 Methodology ..................................................................................................................... 89 4.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 89 4.2 The research paradigm ...................................................................................................... 95 4.3 Research design .............................................................................................................. 100 4.3.1 Interviews ................................................................................................................ 101 4.3.2 Focus