Degree
Master of Arts
Program
Kinesiology
Supervisor
Dr. Laura Misener
Abstract
This study investigates the underdeveloped area of event portfolios in an attempt to fill a gap in the existing literature. This study looks at the strategic positioning of events and the critical role they play in local development. In order to understand this, a case study design was performed in a small-medium scale city in Canada. The purpose of the study was to determine how the city has utilized events for broader local development and enhancing the civic brand. Nine semi-structured interviews were conducted with local city actors and document analysis were used to further understand the strategies within the community. The results show that though a city may possess the necessary portfolio components, it is essential that there is an overarching strategy that bridges the pieces of the portfolio for sustainable development. Consequently, we found that sequencing, or the strategic timing of events and political grounds played a crucial role in this process.
Recommended Citation
Clark, Richelle, "Understanding urban development through an event portfolio: A case study of London, Ontario" (2013). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 1534.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/1534