The Paris 2024 Olympics was a true catalyst for urban transformation and France’s sustainability. 

Years of meticulous planning saw Paris finally emerge from a decade of ‘never-ending’ construction and reconversion to become a showcase for visionary urbanism that is both smart and sustainable. 

So, what can we bring from Paris to the forthcoming Games such as LA 2028, French Alps 2030, Brisbane 2032, and Salt Lake 2034? 

Accelerating innovation through tech integration and AI pilots 

Whilst previous Games have favored a single Olympic Park campus, disconnected from the rest of the hosting city, the events were spread across the breadth of the region in Paris. In support of this, the Games became a tech incubator, with the seamless integration of Olympics technology helping spectators move around the events simply and safely, with wayfinding, crowd management, safety, and security all aided by a combination of digital and physical. 

An official Olympics app provided real-time updates. There was a live event 8K streaming, AI to engage fans, and AR features at various venues, allowing spectators to unlock new experiences. Technology was also used to create a new dimension of interaction between athletes and their fans, breaking down barriers through sharing athletes’ personal stories and experiences. 

Setting new standards for accessibility and inclusion 

By bringing the Games closer to the people, Paris set a new standard for the accessibility, inclusivity, and democratization of major sporting events. Accessibility required significant infrastructure investments in transportation, including ramps, lifts in all trains, and all-day electric shuttles from the main stations to competition venues. 

As part of a broader effort to enhance transportation options for persons with disabilities, €125 million was invested to ensure that all buses in Paris were accessible to wheelchair users. 

Of course, like all cities, there is more that Paris must do to be truly accessible and inclusive, more investment is needed. Having only one of the 16 Metro lines fully wheelchair accessible was a cause of much embarrassment. 

From a sustainable mobility standpoint, all venues catered to active transport, with secured bike parking and pedestrian-friendly access. 

Reinventing the urban fabric with the Athletes’ Village 

The Paris 2024 Olympics had reuse, renovation, and refurbishment at the core of its urban approach. From massive investment in cleaning up the Seine to revitalizing the city center of Saint-Denis on the city’s outskirts. The Athletes Village was used as a flagship prototype to test innovative building techniques and materials. 

Under the engineering conception leadership of Arcadis, the village exemplifies a unique approach to urban transformation, integrating two distinct phases—first as a temporary Olympic hub and then as a permanent urban community. 

A podium performance for speed and sustainability

Typically, a project of the Athletes’ Village’s magnitude would take 15 to 20 years to complete: transforming 52 hectares of brownfields into 2,800 new homes, two schools, 600 student houses, 120,000 square meters for office and activity spaces, and 3,200 square meters of retail space. But thanks to the Olympics' unique momentum, the Athletes' Village was designed and built in just six years. 

This expedited schedule required exceptional coordination and management. The project utilized prefabricated modules and a high degree of modularity to speed up construction while maintaining quality. Additionally, the involvement of multiple architecture firms and strict project oversight helped keep the project on track. Interestingly, this optimized process contributed to reducing the total carbon emissions for the Olympic Village construction (estimated emissions were just half of those for the London 2012 Village).