Olympics

A Struggle Between Security and Civil Rights at Beijing's Olympics

Security is a major concern during large public events like the Olympics. The Chinese government is making preparations for a safe event, but could they go too far?

August 11, 2008 - Buildings Magazine

Beijing's Olympic Lessons for Chicago

Olympics-related construction in Beijing has impressed many, but does little to make the city a better place. Architecture critic Blair Kamin says Chicago needs to be careful about not repeating China's mistakes if it hosts the games in 2016.

August 7, 2008 - The Chicago Tribune

China Rail Goes High Speed

A new high-speed rail line has opened in China, just in time for the Olympics.

August 6, 2008 - BBC

China's Architecture of Control

For China, the Olympics represent a struggle between letting people in and controlling what they see and do. This is a problem, writes Andrew Yang, that implicates the Olympics-related architecture in a bad way.

August 4, 2008 - The Architect's Newspaper

Pay No Attention to the Neighborhood Behind the Curtain

In a last-minute effort to beautify the city before the start of the 2008 Summer Olympics, officials in Beijing have put up walls and screens to hide unsightly neighborhoods from the eyes of visitors. Those behind the walls are not happy.

July 31, 2008 - The New York Times

As Venues Sit Unused, Athens Feels Olympic Remorse

Four years after it hosted the Summer Olympics, Athens is questioning whether the $15 billion investment in venues that now largely sit unused was really worth it.

July 22, 2008 - The Christian Science Monitor

Evictions Continue As Beijing Prepares for Olympics

With less than a month left before the start of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, residents in the Chinese metropolis are still being evicted to make way for event-related construction.

July 17, 2008 - The Washington Post via the Boston Globe

Transportation Weaknesses Hurting Chicago's Olympic Bid

Chicago has come in second-to-last place in the selection of finalists seeking to host the 2016 Olympics. The city's bid was criticized for not having a strong transportation plan.

June 8, 2008 - The Chicago Tribune

In the Eye of Beijing's Boom

This article from National Geographic looks at the construction boom that is rapidly changing the face of Beijing.

April 18, 2008 - National Geographic

Beijing to Polluting Construction Industry: Stop

In an effort to improve the city's air quality in time for this summer's Olympic Games, officials in Beijing are planning to halt all construction and other polluting processes for two months starting in mid-July.

April 15, 2008 - The New York Times

A Look Inside Beijing's Mind-Boggling Development

This article from Metropolis Magazine features a tour of Beijing as it prepares for the Summer Olympics. The scale of development is almost overwhelming, according to author Philip Nobel.

March 30, 2008 - Metropolis Magazine

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

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