Space, Mobility, and Crisis in Mega-Event Organisation: Tokyo Olympics 2020's Atmospheric Irradiations

This book explores the mega-event organization from a critical posthumanist perspective, considering the new and old crises humanity and the planet face, such as extreme urbanization, natural disasters, global pandemics, and technoscientific control. It examines the epistemological statement of 'irradiation' through the case study of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, highlighting how the 'Olympic enterprises' flattening of indigenous environmental place-making rhythms and the scientization of space and place in the Anthropocene lead to reductionisms harmful for planetary recovery. An experimental study of the mega-event is enacted, considering the researchers' analytical tools and the styles of human and non-human mobility as reflexive gateways to forms of posthuman flourishing. The book appeals to scholars interested in mobilities theory, event and environment studies, sociology of knowledge, and cultural globalisation.

Format: Hardback
Length: 188 pages
Publication date: 25 November 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book offers a novel and critical posthumanist perspective on the organization of mega-events, encompassing both the emerging and longstanding crises that humanity and our planet face. By examining the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games as a case study, Tzanelli delves into the realm of mega-event crisis and risk management in the context of rapid urbanization, natural disasters, global pandemics, and technoscientific control. Through the lens of the term "irradiation," which encompasses the technological aspects of glamour, transparency, and bodily penetration by harmful agents, the book explores this epistemological statement both diachronically, through Tokyo's historical relationship with Western forms of domination, and synchronically, considering the city as a global cultural and political player but also a victim of climate catastrophes.

The book highlights how the "Olympic enterprises" flattening of indigenous environmental place-making rhythms and the scientization of space and place in the Anthropocene contribute to reductionist approaches that hinder a viable program for planetary recovery. An experimental study of the mega-event is conducted, considering the researchers' analytical tools and the styles of human and non-human mobility during the mega-event as reflexive gateways to forms of posthuman flourishing. By transcending disciplinary boundaries, this book appeals to scholars interested in mobilities theory, event and environment studies, sociology of knowledge, and cultural globalization.

Weight: 530g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032323404