Large-scale and small-scale regeneration

Large-scale catalysts: events, expos and tourism

Large infrastructure projects (sports events such as the Olympics, expos, tourism developments, convention centres) act as catalysts: they bring funding, transport links and global attention, and are used for re-imaging (changing how an area is perceived) and rebranding (promoting a new identity to attract investors, tourists and residents). Benefits come quickly and visibly, but schemes are top-down and benefits may bypass existing residents. The Getting Started Guide notes event-led schemes may not address long-term inequality.

Case study: London 2012 Olympic legacy, Stratford

Ten years on, the Evening Standard (26 July 2022) reported:

• The Games cost about 11 billion pounds; a 2013 government report estimated returns of up to 41 billion pounds.
• About 1,180 homes had been built on the Olympic Park, about 39% affordable, against early promises of 30,000 to 40,000 homes around the Park; almost 6,000 were expected in the Park by 2032.
• Stratford's average home price rose from about 209,000 pounds in 2005 to 502,600 pounds: more than double. (The article calls this a 116% rise, but its own two prices give about 140%.) Stratford's population rose 42% to 73,000.
• Newham's unemployment rate was 6.9%, against an England average of 4.4%; its housing waiting list had about 34,000 households.
• Weekly sport participation rose only from 34.6% (2006) to 36.1% (2016).

Winners: investors, newcomers, the area's image. Losers: many young local people priced out; promised affordable housing slow to arrive.

Source: Evening Standard via Yahoo Finance, 26 July 2022

Small-scale community projects

Smaller schemes focus on existing communities: refurbishing housing, improving education and skills (training, apprenticeships, adult learning), creating local employment (social enterprises, small business units, markets) and increasing local representation through community groups and neighbourhood plans. They are slower and less visible, but benefits are more likely to reach existing residents and reduce displacement. Their limits: small budgets and limited effect on the wider economy.

Worked example

About 1,180 homes had been built on the Olympic Park by 2022, 39% of them affordable. How many affordable homes is that?

1. 39% of 1,180 = 0.39 x 1,180
2. = 460 (to the nearest whole home).

Answer: About 460 affordable homes.

Check yourself

1. Stratford's average home price rose from about 209,000 to 502,600 pounds. Calculate the percentage increase to the nearest whole number.
   Show answer

   140 %. (502,600 - 209,000) / 209,000 x 100 = 140%.

2. How many percentage points higher was Newham's unemployment (6.9%) than the England average (4.4%) in 2022? Give your answer to 1 decimal place.
   Show answer

   2.5 percentage points. 6.9 - 4.4 = 2.5 percentage points.

3. Re-imaging an area means
   • rebuilding it exactly as it was
   • recording images for a census
   • moving its population elsewhere
   • changing how people perceive the place, for example from industrial decline to modern and vibrant
   Show answer

   changing how people perceive the place, for example from industrial decline to modern and vibrant. Perception is targeted to attract investment.

4. Which is an example of small-scale community regeneration?
   • A local skills training centre and social enterprise
   • Hosting the Olympic Games
   • Building an international expo site
   • A new national stadium
   Show answer

   A local skills training centre and social enterprise. It targets existing residents' skills and jobs.

5. A common criticism of event-led regeneration is that
   • it brings no investment
   • it is always cheap
   • rising house prices can push existing low-income residents out
   • it never improves transport
   Show answer

   rising house prices can push existing low-income residents out. Stratford's average home price more than doubled between 2005 and 2022.

6. Explain how a major sporting event can act as a catalyst for regeneration.
   Show answer

   The event brings government funding and private investment, new transport links and global media attention, which re-image the area and attract further businesses, residents and tourists after the event.. Money, infrastructure, image.

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Sources

• Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level in Geography specification, Issue 3 (September 2025)
• Evening Standard via Yahoo Finance (26 July 2022): Ten years since London 2012, winners and losers of the regeneration
• Pearson IAL Geography Getting Started Guide

Last updated 8 November 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.