The role of mega-events in promoting territorial sustainability: the case of the sustainability plan of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Although cities are correctly considered as a complex phenomenon, they mainly constitute the main growth factor in the global economy as well as the main responsible to produce environmental pollution and social inequalities. To support this thesis, numerous researches argue that cities tend to compete to attract investments that are useful for growth and, in this way, try to strengthen their 'global identity'. For this reason, cities tend to host the so-called mega-events which undoubtedly bring enormous investments, evident urban transformations and various benefits. On the other hand, cities are very fragile, victims of climate change, natural risks and indiscriminate land consumption. So, they are the problem, they suffer the consequences directly and must seek the most sophisticated solutions to make certain impacts sustainable. In fact, the concept of the mega 'global' event and sustainable development are now widely discussed and widespread paradigms, which can very often be poles apart. In reference to the context, Japan tries to obtain both, because it is attentive in the development of environmental and sustainable policies, especially at the metropolitan level, and at the same time it tries to strengthen the figure of a global city by hosting the Olympic Games. Interestingly, the two macro-topics have historically been little discussed as interconnected issues. As a logical consequence, the main research question was asked: can the location of the Olympic Games in given urban context favour the development and implementation of sustainable urban and territorial policies? To answer this question, the research conducted focuses on analysing the evolution of major events with the trend of recent years, with the latter seeking to embrace sustainable policies and projects; this trend is repeated in the Japanese context, and in particular, through the lines defined by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Greater Tokyo metropolitan area. The methodology used is based on the review of the international academic literature on major events, on the study of the various documents relating to the issues analysed, on the interviews conducted and on the online meetings. In conclusion, the aim of the research is to understand the evolving processes and the role that global cities like Tokyo play in developing sustainable urban policies, despite this identity cannot help hosting world-class events that apparently only have sustainable political slogans to improve the reputation of the city concerned.