Technology, accessibility and sustainability: how the Paris 2024 Olympics set a new gold-medal standard for the rest to follow
The Paris 2024 Olympics were a true catalyst for urban transformation and sustainability in France.
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, in Paris, events were spread across the breadth of the region. Supporting this, the games became a tech incubator, with the seamless integration of technology helping spectators to 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 live event 8K streaming, Artificial Intelligence to engage fans, and Augmented Reality 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 & 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 investments in the transportation infrastructures, 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 disabled people, €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 for active transport, with secured bike parking and pedestrian-friendly access.
Reinventing the urban fabric with the Athletes’ Village
Paris 2024 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 development, integrating two distinct phases—first as a temporary Olympic hub and then as a permanent urban community.
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The project was executed under record-breaking timelines, significantly shorter than typical construction projects in France, a testimony to Arcadis' expertise in coordinating 11 architecture firms and numerous technical consultants.
The technical complexity of this project – involving advanced construction techniques such as a mix of low-carbon concrete and wood structures, prefabricated modules, and cutting-edge environmental systems – was meticulously managed to meet ambitious sustainability standards.
Emma Terho, Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, highlighted "an absolutely incredible Olympic Village “, mentioning the inclusion of spaces such as the "family space" and "mind zone”. The Village is now set to become a vibrant urban neighborhood, featuring housing, offices, cultural spaces, and more, all designed for long-term adaptability.
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 2800 new housings, 2 schools, 600 student houses, 120.000 m² of offices and activities and 3200m² of retail. 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 super optimized process contributed to reduce the total carbon emissions for the Olympic Village construction (estimated emissions were just half of those for the London 2012 Village).
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Spectators were also encouraged to play their role in the Games’ sustainability aspirations. The Olympics organizers encouraged people to reduce plastic waste by bringing and reusing their own bottles, supported by water refill stations at all Olympic sites.
Last, but not least, the systematic reuse of existing structures (90% of Olympic venues) demonstrated the power of temporary transformation of iconic and historical locations to promote Paris’ architectural heritage.
The Paris Games is a tangible demonstration that large events can be a catalyst for city revitalization and citizens engagement, by bringing life into public spaces, boosting local economies, and promoting sustainable lifestyles and vibrant neighborhoods.
