Changing mega-events’ spatial strategies and cultural policy: scaling down, spacing out, and assembling organizations in the cases of London and Milan

Abstract Despite the proposed ‘certainty’ in a city or region hosting mega-event, there has long been issues of uncertainty surrounding planning and implementation what have until now essentially mega-projects. Large events found variety ways to adapt respond unforeseen circumstances due political conflicts, oversize venues, limited time implementation, legacies that are difficult manage. Considering further increased mega-events as result COVID-19 pandemic, this paper examines how an accompanying cultural component—e.g., Cultural Olympiad—may help cities plan for like Olympics transition toward diversified drivers long-term legacy. In particular, case offering Milan between two Expo 2015 upcoming 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympic Games shows host can address growing through expanded role programme combined with rescaling traditional mega-event formats. With purpose, 2012 London Olympiad selected antecedent example—with positive negative outcomes—to critically review relationships Olympiad, well their widespread spatial strategy public engagement. addition, offers more general conclusions regarding learning potentials jointly studying policy.