Chris Tutton
UKIMEA Press office,London
Global design, engineering and consulting firm Arup and The International Academy of Sport Science and Technology (AISTS) have launched a social value ‘playbook’, designed to show potential host cities and organisers of major events how to implement clear and defined community benefits at the start of legacy programmes to achieve long-term, positive social impact.
Developed by Arup and based on research from AISTS Master's students, the playbook identifies four areas of focus for social value initiatives, looking at each stage of the process from planning through to post-event legacy. Throughout these stages it also highlights the need to prioritise social value ‘levers’, including establishing a legacy foundation to take charge of the programme, finding a secure source of funding, and partnership with public and private sector stakeholders.
It identifies initiatives in health and wellbeing, economic growth, urban development/environmental sustainability, and social and cultural inclusion – with each recommendation aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Having this framework will allow those behind the world’s biggest events to examine how physical and social changes can be made which can bring benefits to their cities which far outlast the immediate economic boost brought about by the event itself. It also highlights the danger of allowing an event to overshadow existing problems in a region and helps organisers to ensure attention isn’t drawn away from tackling important local issues, with a recommendation to always address basic needs first.
