Here in Los Angeles, the local professional basketball team just won its league's national championship. When I was in Barcelona a few weeks back, the local soccer team won a major international championship. These were two days for the cities to celebrate their home teams' triumphs, but the differences in how they celebrated says a lot about these cities and their civic cultures.
Sports
NFL Cities May Benefit From California Stadium Decision
A recent move that exempted a proposed Southern California football stadium's plans from environmental review may turn out to be precedent-setting for other cities looking to revamp their sports arenas.
Los Angeles Times
Why Rio Won the 2016 Olympics
Rio de Janeiro has been selected as the host of the 2016 Summer Olympics. This analysis from NPR looks at why the Brazilian city was the obvious choice.
NPR
Brazil's $42 Billion World Cup Investment
It's going to cost Brazil more than $42 billion in infrastructure costs to host the 2014 soccer World Cup, according to a recent report.
Associated Press
Trying to Save Portland's Historic Stadium
Growth in Portland's professional sports due to the expansion of Major League Soccer is threatening the life of the city's iconic Memorial Coliseum. Historians and preservationists are teaming up to save it.
The Architect's Newspaper
Stadium to Nowhere
Kansas City has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in a new indoor arena with the hopes of luring a pro basketball or hockey team. But a year and a half after opening, nobody's biting.
The Atlantic
One City, Two New Stadia
Paul Goldberger looks at the two new baseball stadia opening in New York this Spring.
The New Yorker
The Courage of Detroit
Mitch Albom writes about the ghosts of Detroit, and the undying belief that someday the city will come back.
Sports Illustrated
Economic Benefits In Question in New York Stadium Redevelopments
Stadium construction in New York that was intended to have only a small cost to taxpayers has turned out to be a major investment and allocation of tax breaks, causing many to question whether the economic benefits of rebuilding will ever be seen.
The New York Times
Championship City
Thu, 10/30/2008 - 10:10
The following post will likely result in the revocation of my Philadelphia residency.
It’s heretical to say, especially on a day when the city is on fire (not literally; okay, mostly not literally) with excitement. But the city planner in me almost wishes the Phillies hadn’t won last night.
Of course I wanted them to win the World Series. Twenty-five years is a long time for any city—let alone a four-sport city—to wait for a championship, and it’s definitely Philadelphia’s time. I’m thrilled to pieces they pulled it out.
Le Corbusier's Baghdad Sports Complex Revealed
In the mid-1900s architect Le Corbusier designed a grand sports complex for Baghdad as part of the city's bid for the 1960 Olympics. That bid failed and the project was never built. Now, original drawings and designs are on display.
Building Design
Swapping A Sports Arena For More Vibrant Streetscape
Architects in Baltimore are arguing that the city should build its new arena near its other sports facilities, freeing up the old location for redevelopment that can help revitalize its downtown.
The Baltimore Sun
Questioning The Value Of Stadium Subsidies
Taxpayers typically contribute more than 50 percent of the cost of a new stadium or arena these days, but what are they getting for their money?
The American
Relocation of Sports Team Could Benefit Light Rail Plans
Officials in Oklahoma is hoping to woo the Seattle Supersonics to relocate in Oklahoma City by offering tax incentives. One politician is hoping to advance plans for a light rail transit system by planting the idea with team officials.
The Norman Transcript
