This book investigates the multifaceted social consequences that large-scale events exert on host communities and their long-term development. The authors, Greg Richards, Linda Wilks, and Marisa de Brito, utilize a combination of sociological theory and empirical case studies to evaluate how events influence social cohesion, community identity, and urban regeneration. By examining both positive and negative externalities, the text provides a framework for understanding the complex relationship between event planning and social sustainability.

Experts in event management and urban planning identify this text as a comprehensive resource for understanding the non-economic dimensions of event hosting. Readers frequently note the academic rigor of the prose, making it a standard reference for students and practitioners interested in the social sustainability of public gatherings.