Speaker
Description
Guided by the goal of sustainable development, "Olympic legacy" refers to the long-term benefits brought to residents and cities by the Olympic Games or other major sporting events. Effective reuse of Olympic legacy has become a critical issue in modern Olympic practice. Consequently, the construction, development, and adaptive reuse of large-scale sports architecture heritage, often referred to as "event legacy," have attracted widespread academic and professional interest in urban planning and architectural studies. As the physical embodiment of symbolic urban imagery, large-scale sports buildings in capital cities serve as vital platforms for promoting social equity and fostering social cohesion. Beyond their primary event functions, these architectural landmarks remain significant elements of the urban cultural landscape, preserving collective memory while reflecting the tension between local identity and global urbanization. They represent the intersection of national image, urban development, and the everyday lives of citizens.
This study investigates the evolution of large-scale sports architecture heritage in Beijing, exploring how these structures have reflected national and urban identity across different historical periods and how they have integrated with civic life. A longitudinal temporal analysis and a cross-national comparative approach were adopted to examine the construction contexts, scales, design philosophies, public engagement, and architectural representations of Beijing's sports buildings over the past 70 years. Five comparable cases from other capital cities were also analyzed. The findings highlight the temporal characteristics of these structures and identify three major evolutionary trends:
1. Event-Driven Development and Global Influence: The construction of Beijing’s stadiums has transitioned from regional to international prominence, driven by celebratory events with increasing scale, societal significance, and global impact.
2. Cultural Evolution of Architectural Styles: A comparative analysis reveals a progression from imitative Western formalism to a confident embrace of sustainable, low-carbon design underpinned by cultural self-assurance, illustrating a dynamic shift from "learning from the West" to a parallel coexistence of traditions.
3. Spatial Integration and Functional Complexity: Stadium locations have gradually shifted outward with urban expansion before reintegrating through adaptive reuse into central urban cores. Their functional transformation from single-use mega-venues to comprehensive complexes blending sports, culture, tourism, and commerce exemplifies an interactive and multifaceted spatial evolution.
Large-scale sports architecture heritageis not merely static infrastructure but dynamic cultural assets. Confronted with challenges such as tourism-driven commercialization, gentrification, and climate change, these venues continually redefine their social functions and cultural significance through everyday use and special events. This study proposes strategies for optimizing the urban spatial integration and sustainable reuse of sports architecture, focusing on enhancing accessibility, urban connectivity, and social inclusivity. Key recommendations include improving transportation networks to boost accessibility, optimizing spatial efficiency and user experience, and integrating surrounding land uses to strengthen spatial cohesion and multifunctionality. These strategies aim to enhance public engagement, promote the sustainable development of architectural heritage and urban space, and ensure these iconic venues remain vital symbols of national identity, linking past, present, and future.
| Keywords | Beijing; Sports architecture heritage; national image; urban development; civic life |
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| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
