Studying the impacts of Olympic Games on housing for low-income groups in host cities(Seoul, Beijing, Atlanta, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro)

The Olympic Games are considered as a catalyst for development and create benefits for the host cities. However, these games have wide negative effects among which social effects especially in housing sector are notable. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of holding the Olympic Games on housing in the host cities. This study is ''descriptive-analytical'' in terms of nature and method, and the data has been collected through studying documents including books, articles, theses, technical reports, local and international media and social networking sites. Cities of Seoul, Beijing, Atlanta, Sydney and Rio de Janeiro selected as samples and the effects of hosting the Olympic Games on their housing sector is studied. The research findings indicates that the impacts of hosting the Olympic Games on low-income and marginal groups have been always negative. In other words, the enormous costs of development of the host city and its entrance in to the global cities sphere is mainly on the shoulders of these groups. The effects of holding the Olympic Games on housing is usually reflected as displacement and forced eviction of residents. These displacements take place for a variety of reasons including preparing the ground for Olympic-related infrastructures, redevelopment and renovation of urban areas, gentrification and raising the property prices, reducing the supply of affordable housing and also the city clearance of homeless and poor people during holding the games. Although, holding the Olympic Games leads to the physical and economic development of the host cities, but this study shows that promoting the culture of peace and social equality, left unrealized.