The first chapter introduces the historical and urban context within which the two cities were selected and outlines similarities of their past. In 1980s the Fordist production approach entered a crisis and Torino needed a deep transformation. Few years after the adoption of the General Plan 1995, Torino was selected to host the Winter Olympic Games in 2006.The event was conceived as opportunity for local renovation, territorial cooperation and international promotion.

Almost ten years after Torino 2006, Beijing was selected as Host City, becoming the first to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics. Although General Urban Plans had been adopted in Beijing in 1992 and then 2004, pollution, traffic congestion, overcrowded population and low urban quality were never actually solved. Xi Jinping, nominated President of China in 2013, promoted as National Strategy the Integrated and Coordinated Development of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province. The objective of a wide territorial approach should lead to boost a more even distribution of resources among Beijing and the surrounding cities, relieving the capital from urban and social pressures. The Winter Olympic event is considered as a positive opportunity for infrastructures development, urban functions redistribution, environmental quality improvements and sport activities promotion.

The second chapter presents a comparison of the candidacy dossiers in order to identify expectations and promises of the two cities in relation to the Olympic event. After an initial analytical comparison a more critical comparison will focus on the singular aspects mentioned in the dossier. The aim will be to understand the weaknesses and strengths, the realistic and idealistic aspects of the candidature.

The third focuses on the sustainable aspects that the edition of Torino 2006 was able to guarantee in advance. Torino subscribed to many sustainable procedures recognized internationally. It adopted the principles of the Agenda 21 of the Olympic Movement and preceded some of the recommendations of the Agenda 20+20, recently published.

The fourth chapter analyses the Olympic legacy of Torino ten years after the event. It is possible to divide the material (linked to the Olympic facilities) and immaterial legacy. The latter is related to a wide range of factors. In the case of Torino, it possible to organize them on spatial scales of influence. The international image of Torino benefited a lot from the Olympics along with the upper valleys. They gained visibility, succeeded in enhancing the cultural tourism and organization of events. However territorial coordination was not strengthened nor influenced. Torino and its Alps still act separately and "midlands" struggle to boost local development. Although initial conceptualizations of identity integration between the urban and the mountain area, the link remained unsolved and weak. Some local actors of the Piedmont Region during meetings and interview helped to better understand the comprehensive situation left by the Games.

The fifth chapter introduces the evolution of Jing-Jin-Ji, the great region that is planned to comprehend Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province. It will count 130 million inhabitants and will support more even development of the territory through urban functions redistribution and the realization of advance infrastructures. The Olympic event is expected to help and accelerate the process.

The sixth part describes how the Olympic dream of Beijing 2022 came to reality and what procedures have started since the selection in July 2015. Moreover it proposes the description of the political and urban processes in the locality of Chongli, the town that will host part of the snow competitions, 200 km away from Beijing. The planners experts of the Tsinghua University of Beijing have always had important influence on the urban planning of Beijing and surrounding areas. Also in view of Beijing 2022 they will collaborate with the local political institutions of Chongli to develop general plans of the future Olympic venues. The final chapter aims to deduce some indications and recommendations from the experience of Torino in favour of the future in Beijing. It stresses the past mistakes from which China could learn and enhances the important tradition of local and mountain life, architecture and passion that has characterized Torino and the Alps since centuries.

Can the Olympic event be an opportunity for territorial development? The event itself it is generally not, but if included in long-term and sensitive comprehensive actions it have the potential to become a powerful engine and accelerator.

I also had the possibility to visit the future Olympic areas in the surroundings of Chongli and meet experts that will be in charge of the urban planning processes. It was a great and unique experience that helped me to see things under total different points of view.